Cost of Living in Ottawa, Ontario
Since January 2021, residents of Ottawa have faced significant increases in rent, groceries, and everyday expenses. Here's what the data shows.
📍 Ottawa at a Glance
- •Federal capital — home to largest concentration of public servants
- •Rent up ~41% since 2021
- •LRT expansions increased transit fares
Ontario Cost Breakdown
Provincial figures apply across Ontario. City-specific data noted where available.
How Ottawa Compares to the National Average
| Category | Ottawa / Ontario | Canada (National) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR) | +43% | +35% |
| Food prices | +25.8% | +26.3% |
| Shelter CPI | — | +33.2% |
| Overall inflation | — | +18.7% |
🏛️ Who's Responsible?
Cost of living is shaped by decisions made at all three levels of government. Housing affordability, taxation, transit, and local services are all within the power of elected and appointed officials.
Have you experienced these cost increases?
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Rate Ottawa Public ServantsSource: Statistics Canada, CMHC. Baseline: January 2021. Last updated: July 2026. Figures represent cumulative change Jan 2021–Jul 2026. Provincial averages applied where city-specific data is unavailable. Full methodology →