According to Mercer’s 2011 Cost of Living Survey, Toronto has surpassed Vancouver to become the most expensive Canadian city.
The global ranking covers 214 cities across five continents and measures the comparative cost of more than 200 items in each location, including housing, transportation, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.
It is the world’s most comprehensive cost of living survey and is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.
Nathalie Constantin-Métral, senior researcher at Mercer responsible for compiling the ranking each year, said: “In North America, increasing petrol prices continue to contribute to rising consumer prices, but many of its cities dropped in the rankings as price increases in other regions have been more severe, pushing cities down the list.”
Toronto, ranked at 59, rose 17 points to overtake Vancouver at 65, due to higher rents, as demand has increased in that city.
Other Canadian cities on the list include Montreal (79) and Calgary (96). Ranking 114, Ottawa is the least expensive city in Canada.
Jennifer Harrison