Cost of living in Ottawa

In Ottawa, Canada, a family of four typically needs around $4945 per month including rent. A single person may spend about $2236 monthly.

How expensive is Ottawa compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Ottawa is 57% more expensive overall.

How does Ottawa compare to your city?

Ottawa is 34% more expensive than Columbus, without rent.

Rent in Ottawa is, on average, 3% lower than in Columbus.

What drives the cost of living in Ottawa?

Who is Ottawa a good fit for?

Ottawa tends to fit higher-income residents who can comfortably absorb housing costs. It can be challenging on a moderate budget, mainly due to rent and utilities.

FAQ

Why is Ottawa so expensive?

The high cost of living in Ottawa is primarily driven by rent and utilities, which significantly impact monthly expenses.

Is food expensive in Ottawa?

Food costs in Ottawa are 27% higher than the European benchmark, making it a notable expense for residents.

Is public transport affordable in Ottawa?

Public transport in Ottawa is 140% higher than the European benchmark, which can be a burden for daily commuters.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2236 $
Without Rent
909 $
Rent & Utilities
1327 $
Food
603 $
Transport
179 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3150 $
GDP per Capita
53,372 $
Freedom Index
8.55
Lifespan
81 years
Speak English
82%
Population
1.0M

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 17.6 $
Dinner 74.1 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 11.2 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.89 $
Capuccino 3.95 $
Coke, 330ml 2.31 $

Compare Ottawa with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.35 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.72 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.35 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.47 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.7 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.5 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.41 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.4 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.26 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.06 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.79 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.98 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.28 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.17 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.9 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.56 $
Cigarette pack 13.1 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.78 $
Monthly Pass 94.4 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.12 $
Taxi, 8 km 18.7 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 63.6 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 10.5 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.37 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.05 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.54 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 113 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 173 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 53.5 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,129 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,732 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,288 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,131 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 5,242 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,784 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,15 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.47%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 44.6 $
Cinema, 1 seat 11.2 $
Haircut 15.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 105 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 59 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,037 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 20,100 $

Compare Ottawa with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Ottawa vs George Town (George Town is 63% more expensive)
Bahamas
Ottawa vs Nassau (Nassau is 23% more expensive) Ottawa vs Freeport (Freeport is 2% less expensive)
Vanuatu
Ottawa vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 5% more expensive) Ottawa vs Luganville (Luganville is 37% more expensive)
United States
Ottawa vs New York City (New York City is 81% more expensive) Ottawa vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 43% more expensive) Ottawa vs Chicago (Chicago is 19% more expensive) Ottawa vs Houston (Houston is 1% more expensive) Ottawa vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 6% more expensive) Ottawa vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 14% more expensive) Ottawa vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 2% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Diego (San Diego is 50% more expensive) Ottawa vs Dallas (Dallas is 14% more expensive) Ottawa vs San Jose (San Jose is 64% more expensive)
Canada
Ottawa vs Toronto (Toronto is 15% more expensive) Ottawa vs Montreal (Montreal is 13% less expensive) Ottawa vs Calgary (Calgary is 4% less expensive) Ottawa vs Ottawa (Ottawa has similar costs) Ottawa vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 20% less expensive) Ottawa vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 22% less expensive) Ottawa vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 11% more expensive) Ottawa vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 19% more expensive) Ottawa vs Brampton (Brampton is 5% less expensive) Ottawa vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 4% less expensive)
Barbados
Ottawa vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 39% less expensive) Ottawa vs Holetown (Holetown is 38% less expensive)
Panama
Ottawa vs Panama City (Panama City is 38% less expensive) Ottawa vs Colon (Colon is 47% less expensive) Ottawa vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 45% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 53% less expensive) Ottawa vs David (David is 63% less expensive) Ottawa vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 57% less expensive) Ottawa vs Balboa (Balboa is 44% less expensive) Ottawa vs Pacora (Pacora is 44% less expensive) Ottawa vs Chitre (Chitre is 51% less expensive) Ottawa vs Penonome (Penonome is 51% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Ottawa vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 44% less expensive) Ottawa vs Cayon (Cayon is 44% less expensive)
Cuba
Ottawa vs Havana (Havana is 54% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 37% less expensive) Ottawa vs Holguin (Holguin is 43% less expensive) Ottawa vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 32% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 53% less expensive) Ottawa vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 48% less expensive) Ottawa vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 30% less expensive) Ottawa vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 30% less expensive) Ottawa vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 51% less expensive) Ottawa vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 61% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Ottawa vs San Jose (San Jose is 45% less expensive) Ottawa vs Limon (Limon is 46% less expensive) Ottawa vs Liberia (Liberia is 60% less expensive) Ottawa vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 45% less expensive) Ottawa vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 43% less expensive) Ottawa vs Cartago (Cartago is 57% less expensive) Ottawa vs Heredia (Heredia is 44% less expensive) Ottawa vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 25% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 41% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Ottawa vs Castries (Castries is 48% less expensive) Ottawa vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 47% less expensive)
Jamaica
Ottawa vs Kingston (Kingston is 41% less expensive) Ottawa vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 65% less expensive) Ottawa vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 54% less expensive) Ottawa vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 48% less expensive) Ottawa vs May Pen (May Pen is 63% less expensive) Ottawa vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 56% less expensive) Ottawa vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 62% less expensive) Ottawa vs Linstead (Linstead is 53% less expensive) Ottawa vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 50% less expensive) Ottawa vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 49% less expensive)
El Salvador
Ottawa vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 47% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 68% less expensive) Ottawa vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 48% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 52% less expensive) Ottawa vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 48% less expensive) Ottawa vs Apopa (Apopa is 49% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 46% less expensive) Ottawa vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 35% less expensive) Ottawa vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 51% less expensive) Ottawa vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 61% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Ottawa vs St. John's (St. John's is 52% less expensive) Ottawa vs All Saints (All Saints is 52% less expensive)
Grenada
Ottawa vs St. George's (St. George's is 52% less expensive) Ottawa vs Grenville (Grenville is 53% less expensive)
Dominica
Ottawa vs Roseau (Roseau is 55% less expensive) Ottawa vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 49% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Ottawa vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 56% less expensive) Ottawa vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 55% less expensive)
Belize
Ottawa vs Belize City (Belize City is 61% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 51% less expensive) Ottawa vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 67% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 40% less expensive) Ottawa vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 30% less expensive)
Guatemala
Ottawa vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 55% less expensive) Ottawa vs Mixco (Mixco is 71% less expensive) Ottawa vs Coban (Coban is 59% less expensive) Ottawa vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 65% less expensive) Ottawa vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 60% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 60% less expensive) Ottawa vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 61% less expensive) Ottawa vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 61% less expensive) Ottawa vs Flores (Flores is 62% less expensive) Ottawa vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 65% less expensive)
Honduras
Ottawa vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 63% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 54% less expensive) Ottawa vs Choloma (Choloma is 73% less expensive) Ottawa vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 71% less expensive) Ottawa vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 61% less expensive) Ottawa vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 61% less expensive) Ottawa vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 68% less expensive) Ottawa vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 68% less expensive) Ottawa vs Yoro (Yoro is 67% less expensive) Ottawa vs La Lima (La Lima is 61% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Ottawa vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 64% less expensive) Ottawa vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 53% less expensive) Ottawa vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 66% less expensive) Ottawa vs Higuey (Higuey is 66% less expensive) Ottawa vs La Vega (La Vega is 74% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 63% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 67% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 76% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 72% less expensive) Ottawa vs Bonao (Bonao is 76% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Ottawa vs Managua (Managua is 65% less expensive) Ottawa vs Leon (Leon is 71% less expensive) Ottawa vs Masaya (Masaya is 68% less expensive) Ottawa vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 75% less expensive) Ottawa vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 71% less expensive) Ottawa vs Esteli (Esteli is 73% less expensive) Ottawa vs Granada (Granada is 69% less expensive) Ottawa vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 80% less expensive) Ottawa vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 70% less expensive) Ottawa vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 60% less expensive)