Cost of living
Toronto vs Ottawa: cost of living compared
Compare monthly rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities in Toronto and Ottawa using cited SetTern cost bands — planning only.
Using cited SetTern catalog midpoints, Ottawa is about 25% cheaper per month overall. The breakdown below compares rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities. These are planning bands, not live listings — confirm with the linked official cost sources.
Ottawa is ~25% cheaper overall
| Monthly | Toronto | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br, catalog) | $1,800 | $1,450 |
| Groceries (band mid) | $315 | $364 |
| Transport (band mid) | $155 | $126 |
| Dining out (band mid) | $300 | $308 |
| Utilities (band mid) | $150 | $182 |
| Living cost avg (catalog) | $3,500 | $2,800 |
Side-by-side uses cited SetTern catalog midpoints for each city — not live listings. Individual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle; confirm with the linked sources.