Ontario residents pay significantly less provincial income tax than Manitobans at every income level. Ontario's graduated structure starts at just 5.05%, while Manitoba begins at 10.8% โ€” nearly double. At $100,000, Ontario saves $4,793 per year. The gap widens even further at higher incomes as Manitoba's top rate of 17.4% kicks in. Manitoba offers a minor consolation on sales tax: its 12% combined rate (5% GST + 7% PST) is slightly lower than Ontario's 13% HST, saving roughly $400/year on $40,000 of spending. For most earners making the Winnipeg vs Toronto decision, income tax is the dominant financial factor.

By Daniel, Founder of CountryTaxCalc

Daniel has spent 5+ years researching tax systems across 95+ countries and all US states to make tax comparison accessible to everyone. For corrections, contact us.

Last Updated: April 2026

The Big Picture

๐Ÿ Ontario

5.05-13.16%

Lower Income Tax

5 progressive brackets from 5.05% to 13.16%

๐ŸŒพ Manitoba

10.8-17.4%

Higher Income Tax, Slightly Lower Sales Tax

3 progressive brackets from 10.8% to 17.4%

Typical Annual Savings

At $100,000 income:

$4,793

Ontario residents pay $4,793 less per year in provincial income tax than Manitoba at $100,000. Manitoba's 12% combined sales tax is slightly lower than Ontario's 13% HST.

Tax Savings by Income Level

IncomeON TaxMB TaxSavings10-Year
$50,000 $2,525$5,459-$2,934-$29,340
$75,000 $4,753$8,646-$3,893-$38,930
$100,000 $7,041$11,834-$4,793-$47,930
$150,000 $12,563$20,534-$7,971-$79,710
$250,000 $25,023$37,934-$12,911-$129,110
๐Ÿ’ก

CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This helps us provide free tax calculators and comparison tools. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships

Best for Transfers

Wise

โ˜… 4.3 Trustpilot  ยท  287,413 reviews

Send money internationally at the real mid-market rate. Free to open. 14.8M customers worldwide. 4.3โ˜… / 287,000+ Trustpilot reviews.

โš  For currency exchange only โ€” not a bank account replacement.

Send Money To/From Canada โ†’

Ontario Pros and Cons

โœ… Pros

  • Significantly lower provincial income tax at every income level
  • Toronto: Canada's largest job market in finance, tech, and professional services
  • More diverse economy โ€” less dependent on agriculture and primary industries
  • World-class universities and healthcare infrastructure

โŒ Cons

  • 13% HST โ€” 1 percentage point higher than Manitoba's 12% combined rate
  • Very high Toronto housing costs
  • Heavy GTA traffic and congestion
  • Higher overall cost of living than Winnipeg

Manitoba Pros and Cons

โœ… Pros

  • Slightly lower sales tax at 12% (5% GST + 7% PST) vs Ontario 13%
  • Much more affordable housing โ€” Winnipeg median home prices roughly half of Toronto
  • Lower overall cost of living for families
  • Welcoming immigration pathways through Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program

โŒ Cons

  • Provincial income tax is substantially higher than Ontario at every income level
  • Manitoba's top rate of 17.4% is among Canada's highest
  • Smaller job market โ€” fewer opportunities in finance, tech, and professional services
  • Harsh winters with temperatures regularly reaching -30ยฐC

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Ontario or Manitoba have lower taxes?

Ontario has significantly lower provincial income tax at every income level. At $100,000, Ontario residents pay $7,041 versus Manitoba's $11,834 โ€” a saving of $4,793 per year. Manitoba has a slight edge on sales tax (12% combined vs Ontario's 13% HST), but this $400/year saving is far outweighed by the income tax difference.

Q: How much does Ontario save over Manitoba on income tax?

At $50,000 income, Ontario saves $2,934/year. At $75,000, savings are $3,893/year. At $100,000, savings are $4,793/year. At $150,000, Ontario saves $7,971/year. The gap grows with income as Manitoba's 17.4% top rate applies to income above $100,000.

Q: What are Manitoba's provincial income tax brackets for 2026?

Manitoba 2026 brackets: 10.8% on income up to $47,000; 12.75% from $47,000 to $100,000; 17.4% on income above $100,000. Source: Manitoba Finance.

Q: Is it cheaper to live in Winnipeg than Toronto?

Yes, significantly. Winnipeg's cost of living is substantially lower than Toronto's, particularly for housing. A home that costs $1.2M in Toronto can often be found for under $400,000 in Winnipeg. However, Winnipeg's higher provincial income tax partially offsets the lower cost of living for professional earners.

Q: What is Manitoba's sales tax rate?

Manitoba charges 12% combined sales tax: 5% federal GST plus 7% provincial RST (Retail Sales Tax). This is 1 percentage point lower than Ontario's 13% HST, saving roughly $400/year on $40,000 of taxable spending.

Q: Is Manitoba a good place to move from Ontario?

Manitoba offers dramatically lower housing costs and a strong sense of community, but significantly higher provincial income tax will reduce your take-home pay. The move makes most financial sense if you can take advantage of Manitoba's lower housing costs (perhaps paying off a mortgage faster) while your income is under $75,000. High earners above $100,000 will face a substantial income tax increase.

Q: Does Manitoba have any tax advantages over Ontario?

Manitoba's main tax advantage is its 12% combined sales tax (vs Ontario's 13% HST), saving around $400/year on typical spending. Manitoba also has relatively lower property taxes in Winnipeg compared to Toronto. However, provincial income tax is substantially higher in Manitoba, making Ontario the clear winner for most income earners.

Related Comparisons

Ontario Tax CalculatorManitoba Tax CalculatorOntario vs Quebec Tax ComparisonOntario vs Saskatchewan Tax ComparisonAlberta vs Saskatchewan Tax ComparisonCanada Provinces Tax Comparison Guide