How Much Does It Cost to Live in Ottawa?
- Last updated on: March 3, 2021
Ottawa is the federal capital city of Canada. It was established in 1826 by the name of Bytown but incorporated as Ottawa by 1855. It is situated at the south bank of the Ottawa River in the province of Ontario. The capital was selected by the Queen Victoria of England herself as the capital and stands as an important center for trade. It is the world’s 7th coldest capital and contains over 14 museums. Among them is the famous Canadian Museum of Civilization. They celebrates around 35 major festivals throughout the year. The Rideau Canal is truly a plus-value to living in this city. You can skate to commute during the winter.
Cost of living in Ottawa - 2021
Housing Cost in Ottawa
Given below is a table that lists down the average prices of different types of apartments, their rents, and their costs in three primary zones of the city of Ottawa.
| City District | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 + Bedroom |
| Centretown | $1228 | $1450 | $1800 | $1950 |
| Sandy Hill | $1100 | $1299 | $1600 | $1975 |
| Lower Town | $1050 | $1295 | $1850 | $2250 |
| Vanier | $950 | $1200 | $1495 | $2150 |
| Carlington | $1129 | $1299 | $1425 | $2495 |
| Alta Vista | – | $1273 | $1475 | $1773 |
Housing
Average rent price for 1 Bedroom apartment
$1302
(* Zumper)
Average Cost of Utilities
Electricity, Energy, Water and more
As Ottawa is located in the eastern part of southern Ontario, the average rate of electricity is the same as for the whole province i.e. 12.5¢/kWh. If your apartment or house is averagely consuming around 1000kWh, your electric bill will come around $125.
For an 85m2 apartment, the collective bill of all the utilities is averaged around $130 which includes electricity, heating, cooling, garbage, water, etc.
(*EnergyHub)
Home Insurance Rates
As for monthly home insurance rates, throughout the province of Ontario, it is determined by the value of the home. If you are living in a rented apartment or house, you will be paying around $20-$25 as your home insurance. But if you own property, consult the table below for the rates of insurance.
Property Value | Average Home Insurance Rate |
<100K | $45 |
100 – 300K | $72 |
300 – 700K | $77 |
700K – 1.5 M | $117 |
1.5 – 5 M | $174 |
Housing
Average monthly cost for 1 Bedroom apartment : Utilities + Insurance
$155
(*Insureye)
Cost of Public Transport and Parking Rates in Ottawa
Public transport in Ottawa is operated by OC Transpo by means of buses and O-Train (Ottawa’s light rail train). The tickets and day pass for the bus service can be purchased on the bus with cash whereas, for the O-Train, the passes can be purchased at the train stations, selected pharmacies, and grocery stores with cash as well as a credit card. Children under the age of 5 are allowed to ride for free.
For the average cost of public transport in the city of Ottawa, consult the table below.
Passenger | Presto and ParaPay | Cash or ticket machine |
Adults and students | $ 3.60 | $ 3.65 |
Seniors | $ 2.70 | $ 2.75 |
Children | $ 1.80 | $ 1.85 |
EquiPass | $ 1.75 | n / a |
Day Pass
1 day | $ 11.00 |
3 days | $ 27.00 |
5 days | $ 43.25 |
7 days | $ 51.50 |
Per Month
Passenger | Presto and ParaPay |
Adults (20 years +) | $ 122.50 |
Youth (19 and under( | $ 94.50 |
Seniors (65 years +) | $ 46.75 |
EquiPass | $ 58.25 |
Community | $ 43.25 |
Access (for OC Transpo routes) | $ 43.25 |
Cost of The Public Bicycle Sharing System
Unlike Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, there is no public bicycle sharing system.
Car Parking Rates
When it comes to car parking rates, the federal capital does stand out from the rest. The car parking rates in the city of Ottawa are as following.
Day | Duration | Rates |
Monday to Friday | 8:30 am to 6 pm | $2 per 30 min, $18 max |
Monday to Friday | 6 pm to 9 pm | $1 per 30 min, $4 max |
Monday to Friday | 9 pm to 8:30 am | Free |
Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays | All-day | Free |
Monthly | – | $255 |
Car Insurance Rates
Annual car insurance rates in the province of Ontario is around $1528, which is the second-highest of all the provinces of Canada, with British Columbia being on the top of the list.
Transportation
OC Transpo Monthly Pass
$122.50
(*OC Transpo)
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Entertainement
It is not all that difficult to search for entertainment while you are in Ottawa. It’s the price that hits you hard to stay entertained while having a fun time out with friends and/or family. Considering the essentials only, the average cost of entertainment around the city of Ottawa includes:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $20
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course: $80
- Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught): $2.67
- 2 tickets to the cinema: $28
- Taxi trip on a business day, basic cost, 8 km. (5 miles): $21
- Cocktail drink in the pub: $12
Considering at average cost, if you have had 4 beers, 1 restaurant visit with friends, visited the cinema 2 times, and have had 4 regular restaurant meals per month, that can cost you about $200.
Entertainement
Monthly Cost
$200
(*Numbeo)
Grocery Cost in Ottawa
Grocery includes items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and others. Cost for some regular groceries that may averagely be purchased include.
| Items (1 kg) | Prices |
Milk (1 Liter) | $2.52 |
Loaf of bread | $3.02 |
Rice | $3.21 |
Dozen Eggs | $3.25 |
Local Cheese | $11.95 |
Chicken | $12.53 |
Beef round | $19.68 |
Apple | $3.73 |
Banana | $1.44 |
Orange | $3.85 |
Tomato | $3.89 |
Potato | $2.41 |
Onion | $1.90 |
Head of Lettuce | $2.20 |
Water Bottle 1.5L | $1.74 |
Cigarette 20 Pack | $16 |
Grocery
Monthly budget for 1 person
$212.36
(*Numbeo & Statistics Canada)
Phone and Internet
There are plenty of internet service providers in Ottawa (over 80) with an internet plan for everyone. If you are looking to get a connection at (or over) 60Mbps with unlimited data, it will cost you around $65. Whereas for mobile plans, there are service providers that provide packages with unlimited calls along with substantial data with prices averaging around $45.
Phone and Internet
Phone with unlimited talk, text and data (Internet is included in Utilities)
$45
(*Numbeo)
Fitness and Personal Care
In terms of fitness and personal care, a one-month fitness club fee averages around 55-60 $ per month. As for healthcare, you are covered with Canada universal healthcare. Having personal insurance is still highly recommended for other personal care services such as the dentist and the optometrist.
Health and Fitness
The average cost of a Fitness membership
$55
(*Numbeo)
Provincial Taxes (Sales, city, and Income taxes)
There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In the province of Ontario, they have HST which is set at about 13%. Applicable tax on the taxable income includes.
- 5.05% on the first $45,142 of taxable income.
- 9.15% on the next $45,145 and over.
- 11.16% on the next $59,713 and over.
- 12.16% on the next $70,000 and over.
- 13.16 % on the amount over $220,000.
One may argue that the taxes in some provinces are higher in comparison to others, but due to the additional services that are offered to the residents by the provincial government.
Conclusion
If you plan on moving to Ottawa, then you can calculate the average cost of living in the city using the provided table and selecting the rates along with respective items, and finding the total sum which may vary from one person to another.
Average Monthly Cost of living in Ottawa
Category
Description
Cost
Housing
Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment + Insurance + Average utility cost
$1302+ $25 + $155
Transportation
OC Transpo Monthly Pass
$122.50
Food
Regular grocery basket for one person
$212.36
Phone
Unlimited mobile plan
$45
Entertainement
Monthly cost (see above)
$200
Health and Fitness
The average cost of a Fitness membership
$55
Total
Sum
$2116.86
Note: If you are sharing cost with someone, it will be significantly lower. Also, if you are budgeting for a family, you’ll need to add the cost of each family member.
This is an approximation. Price will vary.
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