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Cost of Living in St. Catharines

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada · Population 242,460

▼ -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 St. Catharines

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 St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines

St. Catharines vs TorontoSt. Catharines vs MontréalSt. Catharines vs VancouverSt. Catharines vs CalgarySt. Catharines vs EdmontonSt. Catharines vs Ottawa

Nearby Cities

Thorold

8 km away · Ontario

Niagara-on-the-Lake

15 km away · Ontario

Lincoln

17 km away · Ontario

Niagara Falls

17 km away · Ontario

Pelham

19 km away · Ontario

Beamsville

20 km away · Ontario

Welland

22 km away · Ontario

Grimsby

26 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 St. Catharines

St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $1,463 ($1,076) per month in St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines?
A net salary of around $1,902 ($1,399) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in St. Catharines with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in St. Catharines is $4,352 ($3,200).
How much is rent in St. Catharines?
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 St. Catharines cheaper than Canada on average?
Yes — St. Catharines 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 St. Catharines?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $305 ($224) in St. Catharines. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $13 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around $4 ($3).
How do transport costs in St. Catharines compare?
A monthly public transport pass in St. Catharines is estimated at $49 ($36). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for St. Catharines are estimates based on Canada national averages adjusted for city size (population 242,460). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.