cost of living in Mississauga
Mississauga is a city in Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Ontario. It is the sixth-largest city in Canada and the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area. Mississauga is a diverse city with a population of over 720,000 people. The cost of living in Mississauga is generally lower than in other major Canadian cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver. However, it is still a relatively expensive city compared to other parts of Canada. The average cost of living in Mississauga is $3,600 for a single person and $5,800 for a family of 4 persons.
Breakdown of the average cost of living in Mississauga
To give you a clear picture of the cost of living in Mississauga, let’s begin by examining the average prices for essential items and services. The table below outlines the typical costs for various categories, helping you estimate your monthly expenses.
| Category | Average Cost (in C$) |
|---|---|
| Mississauga food cost | |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 19.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant | 97.50 |
| McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo) | 12.57 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 7.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 7.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 4.86 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.11 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.69 |
| Markets | |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 2.06 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 3.12 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 3.18 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 4.15 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 16.32 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 12.58 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent) | 17.98 |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.32 |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.45 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.85 |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.90 |
| Potato (1kg) | 3.21 |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.37 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.75 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 1.28 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 20.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 3.02 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.77 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 15.00 |
| Transportation cost of living in Mississauga | |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 144.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 4.25 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.98 |
| Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 35.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.56 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Car) | 29,125.75 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Car) | 27,000.53 |
| Utilities (Monthly) | |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 179.25 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 54.17 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data) | 69.25 |
| Sports And Leisure | |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 64.88 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 27.50 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 15.99 |
| Childcare in Mississauga | |
| Preschool (Full Day, Private, Monthly, 1 Child) | 1,591.67 |
| International Primary School (Yearly, 1 Child) | 36,000.00 |
| Clothing And Shoes | |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 77.33 |
| 1 Summer Dress (Chain Store) | 61.87 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 117.38 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 145.62 |
| Rent in Mississauga | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 2,373.68 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 2,050.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 3,366.67 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 2,991.67 |
| Apartment Price in Mississauga | |
| Price per Square Meter in City Centre | 9,943.28 |
| Price per Square Meter Outside of Centre | 7,575.60 |
| Salary in Mississauga | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 4,412.07 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate (Yearly, 20 Years) | 6.95 |
Overall, the cost of living in Mississauga is moderate. It is a good place to live if you are looking for a relatively affordable city with a good quality of life.
Cost of living in Mississauga for international students
The cost of living in Mississauga for international students can vary depending on a number of factors, including their lifestyle, accommodation choices, and spending habits. However, here is a general overview of the average costs that international students can expect to incur:
Accommodation for international students in Mississauga
Accommodation is typically the biggest expense for international students in Mississauga. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is $2,373.68 per month. However, there are a number of more affordable options available, such as shared apartments and homestays. shared apartments or room costs at on average of 500$ per month.
Food
The average cost of groceries for a single person in Mississauga is $402 per month. However, international students may find that they spend more on groceries, as they may need to purchase specialized items or cook more meals at home.
Transportation
The monthly pass for public transportation in Mississauga is $144. If you are driving, you can expect to pay around $1.56 per liter of gasoline.
Utilities
The average monthly cost of utilities for an 85 square meter apartment in Mississauga is $179.25. This includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage.
Other expenses
Other expenses, such as clothing, entertainment, and childcare, can vary depending on your lifestyle. However, you can expect to spend around $600-$800 per month on these expenses.
Total cost of living in Mississauga for students
Overall, the total cost of living for international students in Mississauga can range from $1,200 to $2,000 per month, depending on their lifestyle and spending habits.
Tips for saving money
Here are a few tips for international students in Mississauga who are looking to save money:
- Live with roommates or in a homestay.
- Cook more meals at home.
- Take advantage of free and low-cost activities, such as visiting parks and museums.
- Use public transportation instead of driving.
- Look for discounts and promotions on goods and services.
Additional resources
There are a number of resources available to help international students in Mississauga manage their finances. For example, the University of Toronto Mississauga offers a number of financial aid programs and services for international students.
International students can also contact the Mississauga International Students Association for support and advice. Read our blog on Cost of living in Alberta.
FAQ
1. What is the average cost of rent in Mississauga?
The average cost of rent in Mississauga varies depending on the location and the size of the apartment. For a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, you can expect to pay around 2,373.68 C$ per month. If you choose to live outside the city center, the cost may be slightly lower, averaging around 2,050.00 C$ per month. Larger apartments with three bedrooms will have higher rental costs.
2. How much do groceries and dining out cost in Mississauga?
The cost of groceries and dining out can vary based on your choices. On average, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 19.00 C$, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is approximately 97.50 C$. Grocery prices fluctuate, with items like milk, bread, eggs, and fresh produce available at different price points.
3. What are the transportation expenses in Mississauga?
For local transportation, a one-way ticket costs about 3.50 C$, and a monthly pass for regular public transit is approximately 144.00 C$. Taxi fares are calculated based on the tariff, with a typical starting fare of 4.25 C$ and an additional charge per kilometer. If you own a car, gasoline prices hover around 1.56 C$ per liter, but keep in mind that fuel costs can vary.
4. How much should I budget for utilities in Mississauga?
The cost of basic utilities for an 85m² apartment, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, typically amounts to about 179.25 C$ per month. Additionally, a mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data is available for approximately 54.17 C$ per month. Internet services with speeds of 60 Mbps or more and unlimited data usually cost around 69.25 C$ per month.
5. What are the costs associated with childcare and education in Mississauga?
Childcare and education costs in Mississauga can vary widely. For preschool (or kindergarten) for one child on a full-day, private basis, the monthly cost is around 1,591.67 C$. If you’re considering an international primary school, annual fees can range from 24,000.00 C$ to 60,000.00 C$ per year, depending on the school and grade level.
6. What is the average salary in Mississauga?
The average salary in Mississauga is $4,412.07 per month after tax.
7. Is it affordable to live in Mississauga?
Whether or not Mississauga is affordable to live in depends on your income and lifestyle. However, it is generally considered to be a more affordable city than other major Canadian cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver.
8. What are the pros and cons of living in Mississauga?
Some of the pros of living in Mississauga include its diverse population, good quality of life, and proximity to Toronto. Some of the cons of living in Mississauga include its high cost of housing and traffic congestion.
9. What is the current mortgage interest rate in Mississauga?
As of the last available data, the yearly mortgage interest rate for a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage in Mississauga ranges from 3.00% to 8.75%. However, mortgage rates can fluctuate, so it’s essential to check with local banks and financial institutions for the most up-to-date rates and lending options. interest rate are going up in some sector due to increasing cost of living in Mississauga,
