location_city BC vs location_city ON

Nanaimo vs Windsor Cost of Living (2026)

Nanaimo is about 21% more expensive than Windsor, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,800 a month in Nanaimo vs $1,450 in Windsor.

The Verdict

Living in Windsor is 18% cheaper than living in Nanaimo overall.

Nanaimo / month

$2,310

Windsor / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Nanaimo $

Salary in Nanaimo

$100,000

Take-home $75,373 · $6,281/mo

Needed in Windsor

$82,375

Take-home $61,907 · $5,159/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Windsor you'd need $17,625 less a year (−18%).

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

Nanaimo

$1,800

19% cheaper

Windsor

$1,450

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Nanaimo

$420

7% cheaper

Windsor

$390

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Monthly Transit Pass

Nanaimo

$90

0% more expensive

Windsor

$90

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