Home / Cities / Ottawa
2026 CITY BUDGET

Salary Needed to Live in Ottawa

Estimate the salary needed to live in Ottawa using rent and everyday monthly costs, then adjust the budget to match your household and savings goals.

Planning model. Household non-rent costs scale by household type.
Estimated gross salary neededCA$67,620/yr

CA$4,006Estimated take-home / month

CA$3,605Modeled monthly costs

CA$2,360Rent

CA$401Before savings allocation

Cost-of-living snapshot

Current model: rent CA$2,360, groceries CA$470, transit CA$130, utilities CA$190, phone/internet CA$140 and miscellaneous CA$315 per month. Baseline total: CA$3,605.

Rent source: Statistics Canada Q2 2026, 2-bedroom asking rent. Other categories are planning baselines and should be adjusted for your household.

Build a fuller Ottawa budget

Compare Ottawa

FAQ

Is this an exact salary requirement?

No. It is a planning estimate. Taxes, housing, benefits, debt and personal spending can materially change the amount you need.

Can I change the rent?

Yes. Use the calculator above to replace the city baseline with the rent you expect to pay.