Cost of Living in Mississauga (2026)

Mississauga offers a more affordable alternative to Toronto while still providing access to the Greater Toronto Area job market. Mississauga is 19 percent cheaper than Toronto as of March 2026 according to Expatistan data. Housing in Mississauga is approximately 22 percent cheaper than Toronto. Food costs are approximately 12 percent lower and entertainment and personal care costs are approximately 15 percent lower than Toronto. Mississauga runs 24 percent higher than the Canadian average but remains approximately 27 percent cheaper than San Jose and roughly 38 percent more affordable than New York. Many residents choose Mississauga for the lower housing costs while commuting to Toronto for work.

Housing Costs

One bedroom apartment city centre rent is $2,387.50 monthly according to Numbeo February 2026 data. One bedroom apartment outside centre rent is $2,062.50 monthly. Three bedroom apartment city centre rent is $3,545.00 monthly and three bedroom apartment outside centre rent is $2,984.00 monthly. Apartment price per square metre in the city centre is $10,986.13 and outside centre is $8,719.46. Housing represents approximately 30 percent of total living expenses. One bedroom city centre rent is $2,547 per month according to Q Real Estate Group data while three bedroom city centre rent is $3,638.

Monthly Expense Breakdown

Family of four estimated monthly costs are $5,161.50 without rent according to Numbeo. A single person estimated monthly costs are $1,405.20 without rent. Family of four monthly costs are $5,260 excluding rent and $6,058 including rent according to Q Real Estate Group. Single person non-renter monthly costs are $1,465 excluding rent and $4,133 including rent. A comparable lifestyle requiring $8,888 in Toronto is attainable with $8,400 in Mississauga. The cost difference makes Mississauga particularly attractive for families looking to maximize their housing budget while maintaining access to GTA employment centres.

Groceries and Food

Inexpensive restaurant meal costs $22.00 according to Numbeo. Mid-range two-person dinner costs $100.00 and McDonalds combo meal costs $15.00. Cappuccino costs $5.34. Milk per litre costs $3.72. Bread loaf costs $3.68. Eggs per dozen cost $5.54. Chicken fillets per kilogram cost $15.97 and beef round per kilogram costs $18.27. COL Index is 60.2 and Rent Index is 40.7 making Mississauga more affordable than major Canadian cities like Toronto at 67.4 and Vancouver at 69.5 according to Wise cost of living data.

6bd 12ba

$19,800,000

1343 Blythe Road, Mississauga

5bd 6ba

$13,995,000

1540 Watersedge Road, Mississauga

5bd 6ba 8,549sqf

$13,995,000

1540 Watersedge Road, Mississauga

11bd 13ba

$11,900,850

1470 Mississauga Road, Mississauga

6bd 9ba

$11,888,850

1500 Watersedge Road, Mississauga

4bd 6ba

$10,999,850

872 Whittier Crescent, Mississauga

Transportation

One-way transit ticket costs $4.00 and a monthly transit pass costs $141.00 according to Numbeo. MiWay operates 54 local and 8 express routes serving 3,120 stops. Mississauga Transitway is an 18 km route with 4.4 million annual riders. Hurontario LRT has 19 stations scheduled for opening which will enhance connectivity across the city. Gasoline costs approximately $1.53 per litre. Transportation costs are comparable between Mississauga and Toronto. Monthly transit pass costs $131 according to Wise data.

Utilities and Services

Basic utilities for an 85 square metre apartment cost $192.30 monthly according to Numbeo. Mobile phone plan costs $51.25 monthly and internet costs $67.36 monthly. Gym membership costs $52.90 monthly and cinema ticket costs $15.50. Utilities including electricity, water and heating cost $180 to $253 monthly according to Q Real Estate Group. Mobile service costs $62 and internet costs $74 monthly. Basic monthly utilities for a 915 square foot apartment cost $244.45 according to Wise data.

Income and Affordability

Average monthly net salary after tax is $4,127.03 according to Numbeo. Average 2020 individual income was $54,150 annually and average household income was $126,500 annually. Average household income is $137,412 according to Wahi data. To live comfortably as a single renter target net income exceeding $4,500 monthly which is approximately $75,000 gross. Homeowners should aim for $90,000 to $100,000 annually. Annual mortgage interest rate for a 20 year fixed term is 4.68 percent. Average monthly net salary is $4,598.33 according to Wise data.

Cost Trends and Outlook

Hurontario LRT opening will likely increase rents in Port Credit, City Centre, Cooksville and adjacent zones. Peel Region homeowners pay approximately $575 more per capita than neighbouring municipalities. Rent growth has increased 42 percent over seven years according to BungalowFinder data. Primary market rent in 2024 was $1,877 per month and secondary market two bedroom rent in Peel was $2,674 per month with vacancy rates at 1 to 1.5 percent. Rent outside downtown cores typically runs 5 to 10 percent lower than Toronto though groceries and utilities remain comparable. Owner occupancy in Mississauga is at 70 percent with rental occupancy at 30 percent, and the total population of 700,453 continues to grow through immigration. Compare cost of living across Canada: Hamilton Cost of Living | Ottawa Cost of Living | Calgary Cost of Living | Edmonton Cost of Living