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Cost of Living in Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada · Population 72,051

▼ -6% vs Canada average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$1,463 ($1,076)
Couple, monthly$2,662 ($1,957)
Family of four, monthly$3,505 ($2,577)

Estimated Prices in Sault Ste. Marie

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$13.46 ($9.90)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$53.86 ($39.60)per meal
Cappuccino$4.04 ($2.97)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$305 ($224)per month
Monthly public transport pass$49.37 ($36.30)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$130 ($95.70)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$37.70 ($27.72)per month
Fitness club membership$37.70 ($27.72)per month
Cinema ticket$9.87 ($7.26)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$813 ($598)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$566 ($416)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,697 ($1,248)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Sault Ste. Marie is $4,352 ($3,200) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $1,463 ($1,076) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $1,902 ($1,399) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($566 ($416)) represents about 39% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie vs TorontoSault Ste. Marie vs MontréalSault Ste. Marie vs VancouverSault Ste. Marie vs CalgarySault Ste. Marie vs EdmontonSault Ste. Marie vs Ottawa

Nearby Cities

Elliot Lake

131 km away · Ontario

Sudbury

256 km away · Ontario

Timmins

312 km away · Ontario

Port Elgin

329 km away · Ontario

Saugeen Shores

330 km away · Ontario

Georgian Bluffs

332 km away · Ontario

Kincardine

338 km away · Ontario

West Nipissing / Nipissing Ouest

340 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

Ottawa

Ontario · pop. 1,068,821

$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

Living in Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie is one of the key cities in Canada. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $1,463 ($1,076), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $566 ($416) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $3,505 ($2,577) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $2,662 ($1,957) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Sault Ste. Marie is $4,352 ($3,200). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $1,902 ($1,399) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sault Ste. Marie expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,463 ($1,076) per month in Sault Ste. Marie including rent outside the city centre. That is 6% less than the national average for Canada.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sault Ste. Marie?
A net salary of around $1,902 ($1,399) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sault Ste. Marie with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sault Ste. Marie is $4,352 ($3,200).
How much is rent in Sault Ste. Marie?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $813 ($598) per month in the city centre and $566 ($416) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,697 ($1,248).
Is Sault Ste. Marie cheaper than Canada on average?
Yes — Sault Ste. Marie is estimated to be about 6% cheaper than the Canada average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Sault Ste. Marie?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $305 ($224) in Sault Ste. Marie. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $13 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around $4 ($3).
How do transport costs in Sault Ste. Marie compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sault Ste. Marie is estimated at $49 ($36). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sault Ste. Marie are estimates based on Canada national averages adjusted for city size (population 72,051). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.