Liberty Village vs CityPlace: Where Should You Live?
Choose Liberty Village if you want neighborhood character with local shops and community events. Choose CityPlace if budget is your top priority and you commute via Union Station. LV averages $2,600/month for a 1BR vs CityPlace's $2,500 — a $100 difference. CityPlace is cheaper but feels like a dormitory; LV offers an actual neighborhood identity worth the small premium.
By the Numbers
| Category | Liberty Village | CityPlace |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR Rent | $2,600 | $2,500 |
| Avg 2BR Rent | $3,400 | $3,300 |
| Transit Score | 78/100 | 82/100 |
| Walk Score | 85/100 | 80/100 |
| Bike Score | 72/100 | 70/100 |
| Median Age | 31 | 29 |
| Median Income | $99,817 | $78,000 |
Cost of Living
CityPlace is one of the more affordable options in downtown Toronto, and it undercuts Liberty Village by roughly $100 per month on a one-bedroom. The savings come with trade-offs: CityPlace units tend to be smaller micro-condos in high-rise towers, so you are often getting less square footage per dollar. Groceries require a trip to the Loblaws at Queens Quay or Bathurst, and there are fewer casual dining options nearby, meaning you may spend more on delivery apps. Liberty Village has a denser cluster of local cafes, restaurants, and convenience stores within walking distance. When you account for quality of life and what your rent actually buys you in terms of livability, Liberty Village often represents the better overall value despite the slightly higher sticker price.
Transit & Commute
CityPlace has a genuine advantage for anyone commuting via GO Transit or the TTC subway. Union Station is a 10 to 15 minute walk, and the 509 and 510 streetcars connect CityPlace to the broader streetcar network. Liberty Village relies on the 504 King and 63 Ossington routes, and the ride to Union Station takes about 20 minutes by streetcar. For cyclists, both neighborhoods connect to the Martin Goodman Trail and waterfront paths, though CityPlace has more direct access. Where Liberty Village gains ground is in westbound commuting — the Gardiner Expressway on-ramp at Dufferin is more accessible from LV, and the Exhibition GO station provides an alternative rail option. Overall, CityPlace wins for TTC and GO commuters, while LV is comparable for drivers and cyclists.
Food & Nightlife
Liberty Village has a meaningfully better food and nightlife scene than CityPlace. LV has established local favorites like Mildred's Temple Kitchen, School, and a growing number of cafes and breweries along Liberty Street. CityPlace has a handful of chain restaurants and fast-casual spots, but nothing that qualifies as a dining destination. Nightlife in CityPlace is essentially nonexistent — residents head to King West or the Entertainment District for a night out, just as LV residents sometimes do. The difference is that Liberty Village has its own pubs and patios where you can have a quality evening without leaving the neighborhood. CityPlace functions more as a bedroom community for downtown, while Liberty Village operates as a self-contained neighborhood with its own culinary identity.
Safety & Community
Community is where Liberty Village pulls far ahead. CityPlace has long been criticized for feeling anonymous — the massive towers, transient renter population, and lack of ground-level retail create an environment where neighbors rarely know each other. Liberty Village has an active BIA, community Facebook groups with thousands of engaged members, dog parks that serve as social hubs, and seasonal festivals that bring residents together. Crime rates are similar in both areas, with petty property crime being the most common issue. CityPlace does experience more elevator-related frustrations and package theft due to building density. Liberty Village's lower-rise built form and mixed-use streetscape create a more human-scale environment that naturally fosters the kind of casual social interactions that build a real neighborhood.
Best For
Choose CityPlace if your number one priority is minimizing rent while staying close to Union Station. It is a functional place to live, and the waterfront access is a genuine perk for runners and cyclists. Choose Liberty Village if you want to actually enjoy your neighborhood — to have a local coffee shop where the barista knows your order, to walk your dog in a real park, and to feel like you belong to a community rather than just occupying a unit in a tower. Liberty Village is where you build a life in Toronto; CityPlace is where you sleep between shifts. That may sound harsh, but residents of both neighborhoods will generally agree with the distinction.
What Liberty Village Wins At
- ✓Stronger community identity
- ✓Better local retail and restaurants
- ✓More green space
- ✓Less wind and more livable streets
What CityPlace Wins At
- ✓Lower average rent
- ✓Closer to Union Station
- ✓Waterfront proximity
- ✓Newer building stock
The Bottom Line
CityPlace is cheaper but feels like a dormitory — Liberty Village has actual neighborhood identity and community. Liberty Village is best for stronger community identity and better local retail and restaurants, while CityPlace shines with lower average rent and closer to union station. Both are great Toronto neighborhoods — it comes down to your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CityPlace or Liberty Village better for first-time renters in Toronto?▼
Which is closer to downtown, CityPlace or Liberty Village?▼
Are CityPlace condos better than Liberty Village condos?▼
Is CityPlace safe compared to Liberty Village?▼
Compare Other Neighborhoods
Fort York is Liberty Village's waterfront neighbor — newer towers and lake access, but without the established community and local businesses.
Liberty Village vs King WestKing West is louder and pricier — LV gives you neighborhood charm at a lower price point.
Liberty Village vs NiagaraNiagara is a quiet residential pocket near King West — LV has more local businesses and community identity but is slightly farther from downtown.
Liberty Village vs Queen WestQueen West is Toronto's creative boulevard — Liberty Village offers a similar artsy spirit with more affordable rent and a quieter residential feel.
Liberty Village vs Trinity-BellwoodsTrinity-Bellwoods is the aspirational cool neighborhood — LV gives you a similar young-professional crowd at a lower price with less pretension.