Cost of Living in Ottawa (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Ottawa? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed flat, Centretown or the GlebeCAD 1,700–2,200 / month

One-bed flat, Hintonburg, Vanier or the suburbsCAD 1,400–1,800 / month

One-bed flat, Gatineau across the riverCAD 1,150–1,550 / month

Utilities and internet, one personCAD 140–250 / month, higher in a deep winter

Monthly OC Transpo passCAD 135 / month

Good to know

Population

≈1.1 million in the city; ≈1.5 million across the National Capital Region including Gatineau

Languages

English and French, both official. Ottawa is genuinely bilingual, and Gatineau across the river operates in French

Currency

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Time zone

EST/EDT (GMT−5/−4)

Power plug

Type A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz

Climate

Humid continental — one of the coldest capitals in the world, with −25 °C winters, deep snow, and hot humid summers above 30 °C

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

13% HST in Ontario, combining federal and provincial, added at the till

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Ottawa checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.