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Cost of living in Ottawa
Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Ottawa.
One person, a month
CAD 1,559
Living costs excluding rent
Family of four, a month
CAD 5,540
Living costs excluding rent
One-bedroom rent, centre
CAD 2,102
A month
Gross salary, one person
CAD 51,000
to cover living costs in Ottawa
Ottawa's cost of living at a glance
Ottawa is among the more expensive cities in Canada but among the less expensive cities in North America. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Ottawa are CAD 1,559, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are CAD 5,540 a month, excluding rent.
A single person in Ottawa may need a gross salary of at least CAD 51,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
One person's monthly costs
Numbeo household estimate in CAD, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
How Ottawa compares
One person's monthly costs in Ottawa, excluding rent, are 2.9% higher than in the typical city in Canada and 23.1% higher than in the typical city worldwide.
Where Ottawa ranks
In Canada
21st of 67
One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.
In North America
221st of 418
Cities in North America with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.
Worldwide
80th percentile
Costs the same as or more than 80% of 1,942 cities: a relatively expensive city.
One-bedroom rent, centre
21st of 67
Cities in Canada, most expensive first.
Monthly costs against the typical city
- Ottawa
- Typical national city
- Typical city worldwide
Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.
| Monthly cost | Ottawa | Typical national city | Typical city worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | CAD 2,102 | CAD 1,908 +10.1% | CAD 1,043 +101.5% |
| Groceries | CAD 510 | CAD 500 +2.0% | CAD 395 +29.2% |
| Eating out | CAD 271 | CAD 265 +2.2% | CAD 222 +22.0% |
| Transport | CAD 139 | CAD 96.96 +43.6% | CAD 56.18 +147.8% |
| Utilities | CAD 279 | CAD 289 −3.4% | CAD 245 +13.6% |
| Leisure | CAD 111 | CAD 87.68 +26.2% | CAD 87.04 +27.1% |
| Total excluding rent | CAD 1,559 | CAD 1,514 +2.9% | CAD 1,266 +23.1% |
| Total including rent | CAD 3,660 | CAD 3,376 +8.4% | CAD 2,350 +55.8% |
Typical = the median of 67 cities in Canada and 1,942 cities worldwide.
Find another city
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Explore prices in Ottawa
The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.
Renting in Ottawa
Ottawa is the 21st most expensive city in Canada for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in Canada is Guelph.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 2,102 a month.
Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs CAD 1,780 a month.
A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 18% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | CAD 2,102 | CAD 1,857– |
| 1-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | CAD 1,780 | CAD 1,547– |
| 3-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | CAD 3,268 | CAD 2,836– |
| 3-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | CAD 2,746 | CAD 2,424– |
| Price per m² in the city centre | CAD 6,259 | CAD 5,157– |
| Price per m² outside the centre | CAD 6,164 | CAD 4,023– |
Cost of everyday items in Ottawa
Groceries in Ottawa are around 3% more expensive than the average for Canada, while eating out is around 4% more expensive than the country average.
A litre of milk typically costs CAD 3.41.
A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs CAD 4.26.
A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs CAD 21.04.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | CAD 3.41 | CAD 1.63– |
| Fresh white bread, 500g | CAD 4.26 | CAD 2.06– |
| Eggs, 12 large | CAD 4.62 | CAD 2.88– |
| Local cheese, 1kg | CAD 13.30 | CAD 7.21– |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | CAD 17.19 | CAD 10.31– |
| Beef round, 1kg | CAD 22.94 | CAD 15.46– |
| Apples, 1kg | CAD 6.15 | CAD 3.09– |
| Oranges, 1kg | CAD 5.73 | CAD 3.09– |
| Potatoes, 1kg | CAD 3.47 | CAD 1.45– |
| Lettuce, 1 head | CAD 3.79 | CAD 2.06– |
| White rice, 1kg | CAD 4.49 | CAD 2.47– |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | CAD 5.31 | CAD 2.05– |
| Bananas, 1kg | CAD 1.98 | CAD 1.31– |
| Onions, 1kg | CAD 4.07 | CAD 2.06– |
| Water, 1.5 litre bottle | CAD 2.18 | CAD 1.00– |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | CAD 15.46 | CAD 15.46– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | CAD 3.81 | CAD 2.84– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | CAD 4.79 | CAD 3.09– |
| Cigarettes, 20 pack | CAD 21.04 | CAD 19.59– |
Eating out in Ottawa
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | CAD 25.79 | CAD 12.37– |
| Three-course meal for two | CAD 97.99 | CAD 72.20– |
| Fast food combo meal | CAD 15.46 | CAD 13.41– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught | CAD 8.12 | CAD 4.93– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | CAD 9.54 | CAD 6.19– |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle | CAD 2.85 | CAD 2.06– |
| Water, 0.33 litre bottle | CAD 2.39 | CAD 2.06– |
| Cappuccino | CAD 5.80 | CAD 3.09– |
Transport in Ottawa
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-way public transport ticket | CAD 4.16 | CAD 4.13– |
| Monthly public transport pass | CAD 139 | CAD 113– |
| Gasoline, 1 litre | CAD 1.46 | CAD 1.21– |
| Taxi start | CAD 3.92 | CAD 3.92– |
| Taxi, per km | CAD 2.16 | CAD 2.15– |
| Taxi waiting, 1 hour | CAD 27.85 | CAD 27.85–CAD 27.85 |
| Volkswagen Golf, new | CAD 40,824 | CAD 36,100– |
| Toyota Corolla sedan, new | CAD 31,071 | CAD 25,951– |
Utilities in Ottawa
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment Monthly | CAD 217 | CAD 134– |
| Broadband internet Monthly | CAD 65.97 | CAD 45.38– |
| Mobile phone plan Monthly | CAD 51.73 | CAD 36.10– |
How is Ottawa for families?
A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of CAD 127,000 a year in Ottawa, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs CAD 1,284 a month.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 3,268 a month.
Ottawa scores 69/100 on Numbeo's safety index.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Family of four, excluding rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | CAD 5,540 | Not applicable |
| Family of four, including rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | CAD 8,809 | Not applicable |
| Private preschool or kindergarten Monthly | CAD 1,284 | CAD 825– |
| International primary school Annual | CAD 24,607 | CAD 22,691– |
Leisure and clothing in Ottawa
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership Monthly | CAD 70.95 | CAD 30.94– |
| Tennis court rental, 1 hour | CAD 39.69 | CAD 22.68– |
| Cinema ticket | CAD 16.25 | CAD 15.46– |
| Jeans | CAD 78.77 | CAD 36.10– |
| Summer dress from a chain store | CAD 49.98 | CAD 30.94– |
| Nike running shoes | CAD 128 | CAD 71.17– |
| Men's leather business shoes | CAD 131 | CAD 97.99– |
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
What salary do I need to live in Ottawa?
By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in Canada, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Ottawa. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Ottawa, and where your money goes.
Recommended gross salary
CAD 50,825
Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Ottawa, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.
- Take-home pay
- CAD 40,065
- Living costs
- CAD 40,065
- Tax and contributions
- CAD 10,760
Where your salary goes
- Living costsCAD 40,06578.8%
- Income tax and contributionsCAD 10,76021.2%
| Operator | Item | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | CAD 50,825 | |
| − | Income tax and contributions | CAD 10,760 |
| = | Take-home pay | CAD 40,065 |
| − | Rent | CAD 21,358 |
| − | Groceries | CAD 6,119 |
| − | Eating out | CAD 3,254 |
| − | Transport | CAD 1,671 |
| − | Utilities | CAD 3,344 |
| − | Leisure | CAD 1,328 |
| − | Other estimated costs | CAD 2,991 |
| = | Left over: savings target | CAD 0 |
CAD 50,825 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 21.2% effective tax rate and CAD 10,760 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.
What the estimate includes
- Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
- National income tax for 2026
- Employee social contributions, simplified
What it doesn't include
- Regional, state or local income tax
- Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
- Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
- Bonuses, benefits and other income
- Child care or school unless you choose it
Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.
How each cost is worked out
Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Ottawa costs an estimated CAD 1,780 per month. CAD 1,780 per month × 12 months = CAD 21,358 a year.
Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ottawa spends an estimated CAD 510 on groceries per month. CAD 510 per month × 12 months = CAD 6,119 a year.
Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ottawa spends an estimated CAD 271 on eating out per month. CAD 271 per month × 12 months = CAD 3,254 a year.
Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ottawa spends an estimated CAD 139 on transport per month. CAD 139 per month × 12 months = CAD 1,671 a year.
Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ottawa spends an estimated CAD 279 on utilities per month. CAD 279 per month × 12 months = CAD 3,344 a year.
Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Ottawa spends an estimated CAD 111 on leisure per month. CAD 111 per month × 12 months = CAD 1,328 a year.
Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. CAD 249 per month × 12 months = CAD 2,991 a year.
See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated
Tax estimate assumptions
Tax year 2026. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Federal tax only, effective from January 1, 2026. Lowest bracket rate reduced to 14% (from 14.5% in 2025). Thresholds indexed by 2%. Excludes Provincial/Territorial tax.
Important
This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, Canada's tax rules for 2026 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / CRA.
Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.
Cost of living in Ottawa: common questions
Is Ottawa expensive to live in?
Ottawa is among the more expensive cities in Canada but among the less expensive cities in North America.
A single person spends about CAD 1,559 a month excluding rent, against CAD 1,514 in the typical city in Canada (the median of 67 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).
Worldwide, Ottawa costs the same as or more than 80% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it a relatively expensive city.
What salary do you need to live in Ottawa?
A single person may need a gross salary of at least CAD 51,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Ottawa, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and Canada's tax rules for 2026. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.
How much is rent in Ottawa?
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 2,102 a month, and CAD 1,780 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.
A three-bedroom apartment costs about CAD 3,268 a month in the centre and CAD 2,746 outside it.
Ottawa is the 21st most expensive city in Canada for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
How much does a family spend in Ottawa?
A family of four spends about CAD 5,540 a month on living costs excluding rent, or CAD 8,809 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.
With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of CAD 127,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs CAD 1,284 a month per child.
How does Ottawa compare with Canada's other cities?
Ottawa ranks 21st of 67 cities in Canada for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.
Excluding rent, one person's costs are 2.9% more than in the typical city in Canada.
Where this data comes from
- Living costs and prices
- Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
- Exchange rates
- Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
- Tax rules
- Expatica salary tax calculator, Canada 2026
- Locations and population
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
- Regions for continent ranks
- UN M49 regions
Important
All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.
How living costs and salaries are calculated
- Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
- Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
- "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
- Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
- The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for Canada (2026). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
- Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
- A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 67 cities in Canada in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
- Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Ottawa's.
- Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
- Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside Canada and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
- The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.