location_city ON vs location_city ON

Ottawa vs Windsor Cost of Living (2026)

Ottawa is about 40% more expensive than Windsor, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $2,100 a month in Ottawa vs $1,450 in Windsor.

The Verdict

Living in Windsor is 29% cheaper than living in Ottawa overall.

Ottawa / month

$2,655

Windsor / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Ottawa $

Salary in Ottawa

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in Windsor

$71,429

Take-home $54,724 · $4,560/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Windsor you'd need $28,571 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.

real_estate_agent

1-Bed City Center

Ottawa

$2,100

31% cheaper

Windsor

$1,450

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Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Ottawa

$430

9% cheaper

Windsor

$390

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Monthly Transit Pass

Ottawa

$125

28% cheaper

Windsor

$90

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