location_city ON vs location_city NL

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

Ottawa is about 41% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $2,100 a month in Ottawa vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in St. John's is 29% cheaper than living in Ottawa overall.

Ottawa / month

$2,655

St. John's / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Your salary in Ottawa $

Salary in Ottawa

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in St. John's

$70,681

Take-home $52,115 · $4,343/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in St. John's you'd need $29,319 less a year (−29%).

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

Ottawa

$2,100

33% cheaper

St. John's

$1,400

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Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Ottawa

$430

5% more expensive

St. John's

$450

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Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

Ottawa

$125

36% cheaper

St. John's

$80

Keep going

Plan your move

Ottawa Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for Ottawa workers St. John's Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for St. John's workers Rent vs BuyRent or buy after moving to St. John's?

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