How much does it cost to live in Ottawa?

Typical monthly costs in Ottawa are approximately C$1,900 in rent and C$1,600 in other expenses, totalling around C$3,500/month.

How much should I save in Ottawa?

Based on Statistics Canada SHS 2023, people at mid-range incomes in Canada typically save 12–20% of gross income. In a high cost city like Ottawa, housing costs can reduce this, particularly for renters.

Ottawa · CAD · high cost city

Cost of living in Ottawa — is your salary enough?

Ottawa median rent is C$1,900/month, driven by government and tech-sector employment in the national capital. Ottawa's stable public-sector incomes and moderate costs give mid-income earners a better savings outlook than Toronto or Vancouver.

Rent in Ottawa

BudgetC$1,400 – C$1,700/mo

TypicalC$1,900 – C$2,200/mo

PremiumC$2,500+/mo

Other monthly costs

Food, transport, bills, going out~C$1,600/mo

Total typical monthly spend~C$3,500/mo

How different incomes stack up

At typical Ottawa costs (C$1,900 rent)

C$40,000 – C$55,000→ saving -14.8%

Critical

C$55,000 – C$75,000→ saving 6.4%

On Track

C$75,000 – C$105,000→ saving 32.4%

Ahead

See your personal verdict for Ottawa

Country

Annual income (gross)C$65,000

C$15,000C$232,500C$450,000+

Monthly rent or mortgageC$1,900/mo

C$0C$4,000C$8,000+

Other monthly expenses

Food, transport, subscriptions, going out — everything except rent

C$1,750/mo

C$0C$3,750C$7,500+

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Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from Statistics Canada SHS 2023. Figures in CAD.

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Compare nearby cities

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Also in the Verdict suite

SalaryVerdict — Is your Ottawa salary competitive?SpendVerdict — Is your Ottawa rent too high?