Cost of Living in Ottawa

Summary of cost of living in Ottawa, Canada:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,785.5$ (5,294.8C$), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,036.4$ (1,449.6C$), excluding rent.
  • Ottawa is 11.7% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Ottawa is, on average, 11.2% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 17.87 $ 10.72-34.73
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 71.49 $ 50.05-107.24
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 10.72 $ 10.01-14.30
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 5.72 $ 3.22-7.15
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 6.79 $ 5.00-8.58
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 3.79 $ 2.14-5.72
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 2.05 $ 1.43-2.86
Bottled Water (12 oz) 1.62 $ 1.43-2.50
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 2.35 $ 1.17-4.28
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 2.46 $ 1.30-3.24
White Rice (1 lb) 1.49 $ 0.78-2.36
Eggs (12, Large Size) 3.48 $ 2.00-5.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) 5.66 $ 2.27-11.67
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 5.74 $ 3.24-9.07
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 7.02 $ 3.89-9.73
Apples (1 lb) 1.91 $ 0.97-2.59
Bananas (1 lb) 0.57 $ 0.41-1.62
Oranges (1 lb) 1.59 $ 0.97-2.43
Tomatoes (1 lb) 1.69 $ 0.65-2.59
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.10 $ 0.49-1.95
Onions (1 lb) 1.45 $ 0.65-2.14
Lettuce (1 Head) 2.31 $ 1.43-3.57
Bottled Water (50 oz) 1.49 $ 0.71-2.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 14.30 $ 10.01-17.87
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 2.41 $ 1.79-3.57
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.09 $ 2.14-5.72
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 13.58 $ 10.72-17.87
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.86 $ 2.86-2.90
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 96.52 $ 92.94-100.09
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 2.72 $ 2.36-3.98
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 2.42 $ 2.40-6.90
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 19.30 $ 19.30-19.30
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.04 $ 0.93-1.12
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 24,292.56 $ 24,292.56-27,525.56
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 21,320.77 $ 19,577.16-22,163.44
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 155.18 $ 85.79-253.21
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 39.89 $ 17.87-85.79
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 50.66 $ 35.75-71.49
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 46.60 $ 17.87-85.79
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 9.77 $ 0.00-17.87
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 10.72 $ 9.29-14.30
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 724.78 $ 571.96-893.69
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 15,655.19 $ 8,579.40-25,023.24
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 54.44 $ 25.74-85.79
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 38.61 $ 21.45-82.22
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 86.54 $ 46.47-125.12
Men's Leather Business Shoes 94.63 $ 71.49-142.99
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 1,448.96 $ 1,286.91-1,715.88
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 1,234.14 $ 1,072.42-1,429.90
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 2,252.39 $ 2,001.86-2,859.80
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 1,853.48 $ 1,644.38-2,287.84
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 423.76 $ 328.87-640.57
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 287.20 $ 257.38-398.99
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 3,564.06 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 5.01 4.00-6.90

Prices in Ottawa

This city had 1492 entries in the past 12 months by 215 different contributors.
Last update: 19 November 2025
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Ottawa? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Ottawa.
  
  
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6 Comments so far
Anonymous on Apr 09, 2022:
this guy two comments below me, for mar 23,2022 post
he is tweaking looll
KEN FORD on Jan 04, 2022:
A more positive budget or statement on expenses would not reflect what each food product costs but an amount based on persons in the family and a total monthly amount. A more reflect the cost of living should clothing, not list what a pair of shoes costs, etc. Utilities should include all applicable amounts, ie. water, garbage, electricity. heating, etc. per month. I have kept records for over 50 years so my reflection of real costs is applicable.
Ann Cardinal on Feb 07, 2021:
Student housing. I have seen some for long term rental. Private homes with rooms for rent in Ottawa area. Average $600 to $800 hydro and wifi usually included. Other spaces shared. No locks on rooms and no safes for you private stuff. Usually parking available sometimes you have to pay.
Ann Cardinal on Feb 07, 2021:
Average 1 bedroom apartment easily $1,200 with or without hydro. In Casselman $1,500 1 bedroom (small) all included $1,500, large one bedroom $1,700 all included.
Townhouses in Ottawa area 3 bedroom, 1 to 2 bathrooms $1,950 to $2,300 average. 1 to 2 parking spaces free. Nothing else included. Most don't allow pets.
Anonymous on Jan 18, 2021:
can I know how much qualified marketer can earn in Ottawa
Anonymous on Sep 15, 2020:
Myanmar no need to be accountable for the genocide crime it committed upon the Rohingya race so Myanmar didn't learn a lesson and seemingly on the another march to commit another genocide on the Rakhine race by seemingly spreading coronavirus wickedly in the region where the Rakhine race dwell as accused by the AA leader recently.

Myanmar no needed to account for its first genocide crime upon the Rohingya race because the current sick China government abused its UN power to prevent Myanmar from being accused of its genocide crime.

So as long as China abuses its UN seat, Myanmar shall no need to account its genocide crimes.
Immoral China is not worthy of its UN seat so should be stripped of its UN seat and return to its original owner, the ROC government in Taiwan immediately for the sake of righteousness.

So both Myanmar and China should be taken as a genocide criminal and a supporter of the genocide criminal in order to expedite of returning justice to all victims of both genocide crimes committed by Myanmar.