location_city ON vs location_city NL

Kitchener vs St. John's Cost of Living (2026)

Kitchener is about 26% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,850 a month in Kitchener vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in St. John's is 21% cheaper than living in Kitchener overall.

Kitchener / month

$2,370

St. John's / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Your salary in Kitchener $

Salary in Kitchener

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in St. John's

$79,458

Take-home $57,518 · $4,793/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in St. John's you'd need $20,542 less a year (−21%).

Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.

Expense Breakdown

real_estate_agent

Average Rent

1-Bed City Center

Kitchener

$1,850

24% cheaper

St. John's

$1,400

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Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Kitchener

$420

7% more expensive

St. John's

$450

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Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

Kitchener

$100

20% cheaper

St. John's

$80

Keep going

Plan your move

Kitchener Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for Kitchener workers St. John's Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for St. John's workers Rent vs BuyRent or buy after moving to St. John's?

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