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While Brampton is a great place to live, life can get expensive (just like it can anywhere in the 905).

TREB

GTA

Recently released data from the Toronto Real Estate Board () suggests that detached homes in theare selling for an incredible $948,191 (and this number has climbed almost every month).While we know Brampton can be costly, we also know that it’s typically a little more affordable (especially when it comes to real estate) than some of our big and bustling neighbours.That said, how do Brampton prices compare to those found in Mississauga?We cobbled together some numbers from Numbeo (a website that uses crowd-sourcing to compare living costs in various cities) to give you a general idea of how much it costs to live and play in Brampton vs. Mississauga.

Both Brampton and Mississauga have diverse and growing restaurant scenes and it looks like the prices are somewhat similar. According to Numbeo, two people can eat at a mid-range restaurant in Mississauga for $55. In Brampton, the same dinner at an equivalent restaurant will cost about $66.

That said, Brampton residents seem to save a little on drinks, paying $4.50 for domestic beer (Mississauga diners pay $6) and $2.75 for cappuccinos (in Sauga, you'll pay about $3.66).

When it comes to groceries, Numbeo data suggests that Brampton shoppers pay a little more than their counterparts in Mississauga for some products and less for others. If you're shopping in Brampton, you might be paying less for milk ($1.35 vs. $2.00), eggs ($2.85 vs. $3.16) and bananas ($1.45 vs. $1.83). That said, you might be paying more for local cheese ($20 compared to $13—although that's probably very dependent on where you're shopping ), chicken breasts ($14.30 vs. $14) and onions ($3.77 vs. $2.79).

Transportation

If you live, work and play in Brampton, there's a good chance you're driving. If you own or use a vehicle regularly, you are spending about the same as drivers in Mississauga on gas and automobiles (but you might be spending more on insurance).

If you take public transport, you're spending a little more on one-way fares (MiWay tickets cost $3.50 while Brampton Transit passes cost $3.75), but less on monthly passes ($120 in Brampton vs. $130 in Mississauga).

Utilities

In terms of utilities, Numbeo data suggests Mississauga residents pay more. If you live in a condo/apartment in Sauga, your basic utilities (electricity, heat, water, garbage, etc.) cost you about $214.47 a month. If you live in Brampton, those same services typically cost about $210.55.

Rent

If you want to save on housing expenses, Brampton remains a good alternative (for the most part) to Mississauga. If you're renting a one-bedroom apartment in Brampton's core, you're paying somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1,122.22. If you were living in a one-bedroom in an equivalent area in Mississauga, you would be paying about $1,365.00.

Outside of the core, a one bedroom will cost you about $868.75 (a Sauga equivalent would be $1,087.50).When it comes to bigger units, the difference is pretty apparent. A three-bedroom city core apartment costs about $1,716.67 a month (you would be paying about $2,144.44 in Mississauga). Outside of City Centre, a three-bedroom will cost about $1,391.67 (vs. $1,725.00).

So, it looks like it's cheaper to live in Brampton when it comes to rent (which is huge). If you're looking to save on groceries and transportation, well, Numbeo data suggests that you're more on par with your eastern neighbour.

Still, the rent savings—especially in terms of larger, centrally-located units—are substantial.

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