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location_city ON vs location_city NL

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

Oshawa is about 32% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,950 a month in Oshawa vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in St. John's is 24% cheaper than living in Oshawa overall.

Oshawa / month

$2,500

St. John's / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Salary in Oshawa

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in St. John's

$75,510

Take-home $55,055 · $4,588/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in St. John's you'd need $24,490 less a year (−24%).

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

Oshawa

$1,950

28% cheaper

St. John's

$1,400

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Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Oshawa

$420

7% more expensive

St. John's

$450

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Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

Oshawa

$130

38% cheaper

St. John's

$80

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