Cost of Living: Moscow vs Toronto (2026)

Moscow is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1499/month there vs $1659/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Toronto is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Moscow has a rate of 7.82 per 100,000 and Toronto has 2.27 per 100,000.

Toronto scores 75 to Moscow's 45 on livability — the gap is real. Moscow has its charms, but the numbers favor Toronto. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Moscow: Russia HQS Work Permit (ВКС) (moderate requirements, Up to 3 years (renewable)). Toronto: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Toronto is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Moscow (32/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1499/month in Moscow, $1659/month in Toronto (Numbeo). That's 10% cheaper rent in Moscow.

Toronto scores 8.7/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 2.2/10 for Moscow. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Toronto scores higher on our composite healthcare index (88/100 vs 72/100 for Moscow). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.