City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Oshawa skyline
Oshawa
VS

Oshawa is 18% cheaper than Chicago overall.

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ChicagoOshawa
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,942.94 CAD$1,800.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,382.38 CAD$1,550.00 CAD
Groceries Index105102
Monthly Transit Pass$105.11 CAD$120.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$203.20 CAD$150.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.63 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.63 CAD$24.00 CAD
Gym Membership$70.07 CAD$55.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,242.24 CAD$1,300.00 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Chicago...

You would need $49,441 in Oshawa to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Oshawa?

Oshawa is 18% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Oshawa?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $1,800 CAD in Oshawa. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,550 CAD in Oshawa.

What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Oshawa?

On average, you need about 82% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $49,441 in Oshawa.

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