The average individual employment income in Toronto is approximately $79,500, while the median is $66,500. For households, the average total income is around $121,200, with a median of $84,000. These figures are higher than the national Canadian averages, reflecting Toronto's status as a major economic centre. Understanding these income levels is crucial for assessing affordability, career opportunities, and the economic conditions of Canada's largest city.
Key Individual Income Statistics for Toronto
Individual income data provides a clear picture of what workers in Toronto typically earn. The average employment income, which sums all wages and divides by the number of workers, sits at $79,500. The median employment income, which represents the middle point where half earn more and half earn less, is notably lower at $66,500. This gap between average and median indicates that higher incomes pull the average upward, a common feature in major cities with significant income disparity. When looking at all individuals, including those with various income sources, the average income excluding zeros is $60,400, with a median of $46,600. These figures help contextualize earnings against the cost of living and other economic metrics. The average salary in Toronto is also cited as $62,050, which is 14 percent higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. Another projection for September 2026 estimates an average hourly wage of $27.67, which annualizes to approximately $57,549 based on a standard work year.
Household Income and Geographic Variation
Household income, which combines the earnings of all members in a dwelling, offers another critical perspective on economic well-being. The average household income in Toronto is $121,200, while the median is $84,000. The median figure for the City of Toronto specifically is also cited as $84,000, slightly above Vancouver's $82,000, though differences in household composition affect this comparison. Income levels vary considerably across the city's geographic subdivisions, illustrating economic diversity within municipal boundaries. For instance, data shows central Toronto areas with lower median household incomes, while northern areas report higher figures. This geographic analysis is important for understanding neighbourhood-level affordability and economic opportunity. The national average annual household income before tax is $106,300, and the median household income after tax is $74,200, placing Toronto above both these benchmarks for pre-tax earnings.
The following table illustrates the variation in average and median household incomes across different parts of Toronto. The average household income in Toronto is $121,200. The median household total income for the City of Toronto is $84,000. For Toronto Central, the median household income is $75,500. For Toronto North, the average household income is $200,000. For Toronto East, the average household income is $144,400.
| Area | Average Household Income |
|---|---|
| Toronto (Central) | $118,100 |
| Toronto (East) | $144,400 |
| Toronto (North) | $200,000 |
These regional disparities highlight that the economic experience in Toronto is not uniform. The significantly higher average in northern Toronto suggests the presence of neighbourhoods with concentrated higher earnings. When comparing cities, it is useful to break down household types, as Vancouver shows higher incomes for both one-person and multi-person households compared to Toronto when analyzed separately. For one-person households, Vancouver's median is $46,400 versus Toronto's $45,200, and for households with two or more people, Vancouver's is $112,000 compared to $107,000 in Toronto.
Income Distribution and Affordability Pressures
A detailed look at income distribution reveals significant challenges related to affordability. Half of all Toronto tax-filers report an annual income below $38,500. This median tax-filer income is notably lower than the $45,600 annual income considered a living wage for the region, which is based on an hourly rate of $25.05 for a 35-hour workweek. This gap indicates that a large portion of the city's residents earn less than what is needed to cover basic necessities. Approximately 40 percent of Toronto renter households spend more than 30 percent of their pre-tax income on rent, a common threshold for housing cost stress. High housing costs, evidenced by an average market rent of $1,811 for a two-bedroom apartment and $1,317 for a studio in 2022, intensify these pressures despite relatively high average incomes. The overall vacancy rate for purpose-built rental homes in Toronto was 1.7 percent in the fall of 2022, contributing to a tight and expensive rental market. There were 84,583 people on the Centralized Waiting List for social housing in spring 2023, with an average wait time of 13 years for a two-bedroom apartment, underscoring the depth of the affordability crisis.
Contextual Data on Wages and Economic Indicators
Beyond annual income, wage data and other economic indicators provide a fuller picture of Toronto's labour market. The Toronto region's wages are tracked historically, with average wages and non-wage benefits being monitored. Specific wage data points, such as a figure of 28.85, are part of a broader set of statistics from the Labour Force Survey. The wage estimates are produced using a Small Area Estimation model developed by Statistics Canada. For the most recent monthly economic indicators, the City of Toronto publishes a Toronto Economic Bulletin. The Toronto Census Metropolitan Area is a common geography for this data, and it contained 641 square kilometres as of the last measurement, stretching 43 km from east to west. The number of businesses in the city includes those with and without physical locations, as registered in Statistics Canada’s Business Register. The city's perimeter is approximately 180 km, and it is located on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario.
- Wage data source: Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada.
- Wage estimation method: Small Area Estimation (SAE) model.
- Monthly indicator source: Toronto Economic Bulletin.
- Toronto CMA area: 641 sq. km.
- Business data source: Statistics Canada’s Business Register.
- Recent wage update date: November 19, 2025.
These sources and methods ensure the income and wage figures are grounded in rigorous statistical practice. The continuous updating of this data allows for tracking trends over time. The city's name is derived from the Huron word for fishing weir. Its geographic and economic data are maintained by entities like the Geospatial Competency Centre and Natural Resources Canada. Statistics Canada provides the data through sources like the Labour Force Survey.
Historical Context and Data Measurement Years
Income statistics are compiled from several primary sources, most notably Statistics Canada's census data, tax-filer data, and Labour Force Survey. The most recent high-income tax-filer data cited is from 2021. It is important to note that 2020 income data was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so statisticians sometimes use 2019 data for better contextual comparison. The City of Toronto also publishes regular reports, such as Toronto's Vital Signs 2024, which incorporate income and wealth analysis. Historical comparisons are possible, such as comparing 2020 income data to corresponding maps from 2015 and 2016. The Toronto region is defined as the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area for most statistical purposes, unless denoted with an asterisk which indicates the Greater Toronto Area or another regional geography. The city's average median household income in 2015 was $65,829, which provides a benchmark for measuring change over the subsequent years.
Common Misconceptions About Toronto Incomes
Several common mistakes arise when interpreting income data for Toronto. One major error is conflating average and median figures. The average is skewed upward by very high earners, while the median better represents the typical experience. Another is comparing raw city-level median household incomes without accounting for household composition, as cities with more single-person households may show different medians. Assuming that a high average salary translates to universal affordability is also incorrect, as evidenced by the large share of tax-filers earning below the living wage and the high rates of housing cost stress. Finally, using pre-tax income figures without considering the impact of taxes and essential costs like housing gives an incomplete picture of disposable income and financial well-being. The disparity between the wealth of the city overall and the pressures of affordability is a key theme in recent analyses, with food bank usage continuing to soar despite Toronto being one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
Related Social and Support Statistics
Income levels are directly connected to social support systems and housing needs in Toronto. Ontario Works provides a maximum monthly allowance of $733 for a single adult and $1,839 for a two-adult family with two children, as of fall 2022. The City of Toronto administers and oversees 85,536 social housing units and 7,729 affordable rental homes. The most recent Street Needs Assessment, conducted in April 2021, is a city-wide point-in-time count and survey of people experiencing homelessness. The Toronto shelter system is the largest in Canada, providing shelter and support to thousands of people each night, with daily occupancy data publicly available. Food bank usage has been rising, indicating that even with the city's high average incomes, many residents struggle to afford basic necessities. The visible minority population represents 51.5 percent of Toronto's population, and immigrants make up a significant portion of the city's demographic and workforce.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Toronto?
The average salary in Toronto is $62,050 per year, which is a figure often cited in compensation comparisons. As of September 2026, an hourly estimate puts the average wage at $27.67, which annualizes to approximately $57,549. The average individual employment income is higher at $79,500, as it includes a broader range of employment earnings beyond a standard salary. These figures are consistently higher than the Canadian national average of $54,450.
What is the median household income in Toronto?
The median household total income in the City of Toronto is $84,000. This means half of all households earn more than this amount and half earn less. This median is slightly higher than the median for Vancouver, which is $82,000. The median is often considered a more representative measure than the average for understanding typical household earnings, as it is not distorted by extremely high incomes.
What is considered a living wage in Toronto?
The living wage for the Greater Toronto Area is calculated at $25.05 per hour. For a full-time worker at 35 hours per week for 52 weeks, this translates to an annual income of $45,591. This benchmark is intended to reflect the income needed to cover basic necessities. It is notably higher than the median income for half of Toronto's tax-filers, which is $38,500.
Why is there a difference between average and median income in Toronto?
The average income is calculated by adding all incomes and dividing by the number of earners, so it is pulled upward by the highest earnings. The median is the middle point of the distribution. In Toronto, the average employment income ($79,500) is much higher than the median ($66,500) because a relatively small number of very high earners increase the average. This gap is a clear indicator of income inequality within the city.
What percentage of Toronto workers make over $100,000?
This statistic provides insight into the distribution of higher earnings within the city's workforce. For context, the average employment income in Toronto is $79,500, while the median is lower at $66,500. This indicates that while a significant minority earn high salaries, the typical worker earns less. Furthermore, half of all Toronto tax filers earn below $38,500 annually, which is under the living wage threshold of $45,600, highlighting a considerable income disparity.
How does Toronto's average income compare to the rest of Canada?
Toronto's average income is higher than the national average. The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14 percent higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. For household income, Toronto's average is $121,200, compared to the national average annual household income before tax of $106,300. The median household income for the City of Toronto is $84,000, which is slightly higher than Vancouver's median of $82,000. However, these comparisons can be influenced by factors like household composition, and individual employment income in Toronto averages $79,500, significantly above the national individual average.
Sources and further reading
- Median Income Explorer censusmapper.ca
- Wages in the Toronto Region jobbank.gc.ca
- Toronto at a Glance toronto.ca
- Toronto's Vital Signs 2024 - Income and Wealth torontofoundation.ca
This article explains how things work and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Rules, limits and rates change, so check the current figures with the Canada Revenue Agency, your province or your financial institution before you act.