Ottawa, Canada

Cost of Living in Ottawa, Canada

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Ottawa costs approximately $1,820 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,469. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Ottawa is a city in Canada, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,820 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,469 per month, or $1,244 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 256 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Ottawa scores 83/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter highs around 28°F, with roughly 256 sunny days a year.

Top for Lowest Disaster RiskLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$1,820≈ $61/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,469
Internet256 Mbps
Safety83/100
Avg Temp54°F

Ottawa Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$18.25
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$69.34
McDonald's Combo Meal$10.95
Cappuccino$3.92
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$5.84
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.65

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.95
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.60
Eggs (12)$3.50
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.81
Apples (1 lb)$1.93
Bananas (1 lb)$0.62
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.69
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.07
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.59
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.95
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$14.60

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2.96
Monthly Transit Pass$98.54
Taxi Start$2.77
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.47
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.99
VW Golf (New)$25,838.69

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$151.48
Mobile Phone Plan$38.72
Broadband Internet$50.67

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$47.64
Cinema Ticket$11.13
Preschool (Monthly)$875.91
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$17,335.77

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$51.72
Nike Running Shoes$84.27

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,468.85
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,244.01
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,319.51
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,888.15
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$402.34
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$370.34

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,057.42
Mortgage Interest Rate4.26%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Ottawa

Internet256 Mbps
Safety83/100
Healthcare93/100
Public Transit62/100
Walkability65/100
Nightlife55/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining22/100
Coffee Culture50/100
Air Quality84/100
Green Spaces78/100
Culture82/100
Beaches10/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces35
US Visa-Free180 days

Ottawa FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Ottawa?

A single person should budget around $1,820 per month in Ottawa, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Ottawa?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Ottawa averages $1,469 per month, dropping to about $1,244 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,320.

Is Ottawa safe?

Ottawa scores 83/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.

How fast is the internet in Ottawa?

Median download speeds in Ottawa are around 256 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 35 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Canada offer a digital nomad visa?

Canada does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 180 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Ottawa?

Ottawa sees summer highs around 79°F and winter highs near 28°F, with about 256 sunny days and 144 rainy days per year.

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