location_city ON vs location_city ON

Oshawa vs Ottawa Cost of Living (2026)

Ottawa is about 7% more expensive than Oshawa, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $2,100 a month in Ottawa vs $1,950 in Oshawa.

The Verdict

Living in Ottawa is 7% more expensive than living in Oshawa overall.

Oshawa / month

$2,500

Ottawa / month

$2,655

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Oshawa $

Salary in Oshawa

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in Ottawa

$106,832

Take-home $78,887 · $6,574/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Ottawa you'd need $6,832 more a year (+7%).

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

Oshawa

$1,950

8% more expensive

Ottawa

$2,100

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Oshawa

$420

2% more expensive

Ottawa

$430

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Monthly Transit Pass

Oshawa

$130

4% cheaper

Ottawa

$125

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