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Cost of Living in Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada · Population 1,068,821

▲ +8% vs Canada average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,690 ($1,242)
Couple, monthly$3,080 ($2,264)
Family of four, monthly$4,060 ($2,985)

Estimated Prices in Ottawa

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$15.35 ($11.29)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$61.40 ($45.14)per meal
Cappuccino$4.60 ($3.39)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$348 ($256)per month
Monthly public transport pass$56.28 ($41.38)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$148 ($109)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$42.98 ($31.60)per month
Fitness club membership$42.98 ($31.60)per month
Cinema ticket$11.26 ($8.28)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$958 ($704)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$666 ($490)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,999 ($1,470)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ottawa is $4,961 ($3,648) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,690 ($1,242) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $2,197 ($1,615) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($666 ($490)) represents about 39% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ottawa

Ottawa vs TorontoOttawa vs MontréalOttawa vs VancouverOttawa vs CalgaryOttawa vs EdmontonOttawa vs Winnipeg

Nearby Cities

Gatineau

7 km away · Quebec

Cantley

17 km away · Quebec

Kanata

19 km away · Ontario

Val-des-Monts

25 km away · Quebec

Buckingham

28 km away · Quebec

Russell

32 km away · Ontario

Rockland

35 km away · Ontario

Embrun

36 km away · Ontario

Other Major Cities in Canada

Toronto

Ontario · pop. 5,647,656

$1,952 ($1,435) / mo

Montréal

Quebec · pop. 3,675,219

$1,690 ($1,242) / mo

Vancouver

British Columbia · pop. 2,426,160

$1,690 ($1,242) / mo

Calgary

Alberta · pop. 1,306,784

$1,690 ($1,242) / mo

Edmonton

Alberta · pop. 1,151,635

$1,690 ($1,242) / mo

Winnipeg

Manitoba · pop. 758,515

$1,560 ($1,147) / mo

Quebec City

Quebec · pop. 733,156

$1,560 ($1,147) / mo

Hamilton

Ontario · pop. 729,560

$1,560 ($1,147) / mo

Living in Ottawa

Ottawa is one of the key cities in Canada. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,690 ($1,242), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $666 ($490) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $4,060 ($2,985) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $3,080 ($2,264) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ottawa is $4,961 ($3,648). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $2,197 ($1,615) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ottawa expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,690 ($1,242) per month in Ottawa including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Canada.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ottawa?
A net salary of around $2,197 ($1,615) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ottawa with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ottawa is $4,961 ($3,648).
How much is rent in Ottawa?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $958 ($704) per month in the city centre and $666 ($490) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,999 ($1,470).
Is Ottawa cheaper than Canada on average?
No — Ottawa is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Canada average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Ottawa?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $348 ($256) in Ottawa. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $15 ($11) and a cappuccino runs around $5 ($3).
How do transport costs in Ottawa compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ottawa is estimated at $56 ($41). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ottawa are estimates based on Canada national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,068,821). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.