location_city ON vs location_city ON

Oshawa vs Waterloo Cost of Living (2026)

Oshawa is about 3% more expensive than Waterloo, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,950 a month in Oshawa vs $1,900 in Waterloo.

The Verdict

Living in Waterloo is 2% cheaper than living in Oshawa overall.

Oshawa / month

$2,500

Waterloo / month

$2,430

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 Waterloo

$97,516

Take-home $72,484 · $6,040/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Waterloo you'd need $2,484 less a year (−2%).

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

3% cheaper

Waterloo

$1,900

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Oshawa

$420

2% more expensive

Waterloo

$430

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Monthly Transit Pass

Oshawa

$130

23% cheaper

Waterloo

$100

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