City Cost Report
New York skyline
New York
Ottawa skyline
Ottawa
VS

Ottawa is 40% cheaper than New York overall.

New YorkOttawa
Rent (1BR City Centre)$5,455.32 CAD$1,900.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$4,336.28 CAD$1,650.00 CAD
Groceries Index120101
Monthly Transit Pass$184.64 CAD$128.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$223.81 CAD$145.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.47 CAD$1.60 CAD
Mid-range Meal$41.96 CAD$26.00 CAD
Gym Membership$111.90 CAD$55.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$3,077.36 CAD$1,000.00 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 New York...

You would need $36,246 in Ottawa to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is New York cheaper than Ottawa?

Ottawa is 40% cheaper than New York overall.

How much is rent in New York vs Ottawa?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $3,900 USD per month in New York and $1,900 CAD in Ottawa. Outside the centre, it is $3,100 USD in New York and $1,650 CAD in Ottawa.

What salary do I need to move from New York to Ottawa?

On average, you need about 60% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in New York is roughly equivalent to $36,246 in Ottawa.

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