How much do you need to earn to live here, after Canada takes its share?
Here's the gross monthly salary that covers rent, food, transport, and utilities once Canada's tax system has taken its cut. (2026)
The floor in Ottawa is roughly $3,548/month gross, on a lean budget.
For something that feels comfortable, think $4,239/month gross ($3,340 net after ~21% tax).
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1,800 Cheapest neighborhood (Westboro) | $2,150 Median neighborhood | $2,250 Premium neighborhood (Downtown Ottawa) |
| Groceries | $480 | $576 | $720 |
| Transport | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| Utilities | $165 | $165 | $165 |
| Dining & Entertainment | $270 | $324 | $405 |
| Total Monthly Expenses | $2,840 | $3,340 | $3,665 |
$3,548/month gross
$4,239/month gross
$4,709/month gross
Second-hand 1BR rents across 5 neighborhoods in Ottawa.
Westboro
15 min by LRT
$1,800 - $2,300
Centretown
8 min by walk
$1,800 - $2,300
ByWard Market
8 min by walk
$1,900 - $2,400
Downtown Ottawa
5 min by walk
$2,000 - $2,500
The Glebe
15 min by bus
$1,900 - $2,400
ByWard Market
8 min by walk
$1,900 - $2,400
All 5 neighborhoods, the full expense sheet, and what you could save.
Explore OttawaPlug in what you'd really earn. Get your take-home pay, neighborhoods within reach, and monthly savings.
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We add up monthly expenses (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, dining out) for each lifestyle tier, then work backwards to find the gross salary that lands on that number after Canada's income tax and social contributions. Rent data reflects second-hand listings, which is what expats actually pay. All figures come from 2026 official government statistics. Full attribution lives on our data sources page.
On a budget lifestyle, you need at least $3,548/month gross salary to cover basic expenses in Ottawa. For a comfortable lifestyle, aim for $4,239/month gross. These figures include rent, food, transport, utilities, and dining out, with taxes calculated for Canada.
The average 1-bedroom rent across 5 neighborhoods in Ottawa is approximately $2,130/month. Rents range from $1,800 in Westboro to $2,500 in Downtown Ottawa.
Monthly groceries for a single person in Ottawa cost approximately $480. This covers basic home cooking. Dining out and premium food will add to this budget.
Tax rates in Canada are progressive. At the budget salary level of $3,548/month, the effective tax rate is approximately 20%. At the comfortable level of $4,239/month, it rises to approximately 21%. This includes income tax and social contributions.