location_city QC vs location_city ON

Montreal vs Oshawa Cost of Living (2026)

Oshawa is about 14% more expensive than Montreal, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,950 a month in Oshawa vs $1,700 in Montreal.

The Verdict

Living in Oshawa is 14% more expensive than living in Montreal overall.

Montreal / month

$2,197

Oshawa / month

$2,500

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Montreal $

Salary in Montreal

$100,000

Take-home $69,585 · $5,799/mo

Needed in Oshawa

$113,907

Take-home $83,615 · $6,968/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Oshawa you'd need $13,907 more a year (+14%).

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.

real_estate_agent

1-Bed City Center

Montreal

$1,700

15% more expensive

Oshawa

$1,950

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Montreal

$400

5% more expensive

Oshawa

$420

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Monthly Transit Pass

Montreal

$97

34% more expensive

Oshawa

$130

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