Toronto is cheaper than Boston. That is the short version. The long version is that they charge you in completely different ways, and which one hurts more depends on how you live.
Toronto first. The TTC pass is one flat monthly price covering subway, streetcars, and buses. Simple. Predictable. By North American standards, decent value. When people ask about the cost of living for students in Toronto including the TTC pass, the transit line is the calm one on the spreadsheet. Rent is the pain point. Shared housing near the big campuses is not cheap, though it is saner than the downtown condo market. Groceries surprise newcomers by costing more than expected. Overall: expensive but manageable with roommates.
Boston is a different animal. The average student rent in Boston near universities is famously, aggressively high. The housing stock around the big schools is old, competitive, and priced like the landlords know exactly what they are doing. September 1st is moving day for the entire city. The entire city. That tells you everything about this rental market. Budget more for rent in Boston than Toronto, full stop, no debate.
Transit in Boston: the MBTA monthly pass is reasonably priced and student discounts help. The system is less extensive than Toronto's for daily student life, but most students live close enough to walk or take one line. It is fine. Not a selling point, not a dealbreaker.
Food is roughly comparable. Boston groceries run slightly higher, Toronto restaurants slightly higher. Neither city is winning affordability awards. Do not move to either for the food prices.
The verdict? Toronto wins on cost, mostly because of rent. Boston justifies its premium for specific programs and the career network, never for the cost of living. Do not pick Boston for the budget. Pick it for the degree. And if the degree is comparable in both cities? Toronto, and it is not close.
For the cost of living for international students generally, this pair is a good reminder that two great university cities can have totally different money shapes. Compare them properly with a study abroad cost of living calculator app, iOS or Android, keep yourself honest after arrival with a city by city student expense tracker app, or let the pre-departure concierge at studyabroadadvisor.fyi break both cities down line by line with you.