North America Updated
Average Cost of Living in Waterloo
The average cost of living in Waterloo, Canada is $1,708 per month for a single person, and $3,387 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,437 per month. The local average net salary is $3,105 per month.
Affordable
Updated today
Index 38.8 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $1,708 / month
- Family of 4
- $3,387 / mo
- Student
- $1,002 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Waterloo
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$3,105.18 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Waterloo | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Waterloo | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Waterloo | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Waterloo | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Waterloo | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Waterloo | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Waterloo | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Waterloo | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Waterloo | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Waterloo | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Waterloo FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Waterloo. |
Rent & Property Prices in Waterloo
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,437 | $1,097 – $1,744 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,199 | $951 – $1,419 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $2,269 | $2,121 – $2,926 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $1,877 | $1,777 – $2,194 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $5,397 | $5,306 – $5,851 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $5,078 | $3,936 – $5,306 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,437$1,097 – $1,744
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,199$951 – $1,419
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,269$2,121 – $2,926
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,877$1,777 – $2,194
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $5,397$5,306 – $5,851
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $5,078$3,936 – $5,306
Grocery Prices in Waterloo
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $2.17 | $1.16 – $2.93 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.22 | $1.46 – $2.93 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $2.28 | $1.46 – $8.78 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.75 | $2.19 – $2.93 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $11 | $8.04 – $15 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $16 | $8.77 – $24 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $16 | $5.12 – $23 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3.76 | $1.84 – $6.58 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.21 | $0.88 – $1.83 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $3.49 | $2.19 – $4.38 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $3.54 | $2.93 – $6.20 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.36 | $0.73 – $2.18 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.93 | $0.80 – $2.56 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $1.64 | $0.73 – $3.65 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.28 | $0.37 – $3.65 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $10 | $7.31 – $33 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $2.57 | $1.83 – $3.13 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.84 | $1.97 – $4.39 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $13 | $11 – $17 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $2.17$1.16 – $2.93
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $2.22$1.46 – $2.93
- White Rice (1 kg) $2.28$1.46 – $8.78
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.75$2.19 – $2.93
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $11$8.04 – $15
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $16$8.77 – $24
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $16$5.12 – $23
- Apples (1 kg) $3.76$1.84 – $6.58
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.21$0.88 – $1.83
- Oranges (1 kg) $3.49$2.19 – $4.38
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $3.54$2.93 – $6.20
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.36$0.73 – $2.18
- Onions (1 kg) $1.93$0.80 – $2.56
- Lettuce (1 Head) $1.64$0.73 – $3.65
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $1.28$0.37 – $3.65
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $10$7.31 – $33
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $2.57$1.83 – $3.13
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.84$1.97 – $4.39
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $13$11 – $17
Public Transport & Car Costs in Waterloo
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $2.74 | $2.38 – $2.93 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $70 | $67 – $76 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $2.56 | $2.56 – $4.39 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $1.83 | $1.83 – $2.19 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $29 | $29 – $29 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.07 | $0.95 – $1.24 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $28,949 | $28,949 – $28,949 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $19,663 | $19,016 – $20,027 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.74$2.38 – $2.93
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $70$67 – $76
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $2.56$2.56 – $4.39
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $1.83$1.83 – $2.19
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $29$29 – $29
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.07$0.95 – $1.24
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $28,949$28,949 – $28,949
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $19,663$19,016 – $20,027
Utility & Internet Costs in Waterloo
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $148 | $117 – $256 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $29 | $18 – $37 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $47 | $33 – $69 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $148$117 – $256
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $29$18 – $37
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $47$33 – $69
Childcare & Preschool in Waterloo
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $556 | $358 – $754 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $16,749 | $13,531 – $17,553 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $556$358 – $754
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $16,749$13,531 – $17,553
Clothing Prices in Waterloo
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $57 | $15 – $88 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $31 | $15 – $44 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $74 | $33 – $117 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $87 | $29 – $146 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $57$15 – $88
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $31$15 – $44
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $74$33 – $117
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $87$29 – $146
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Waterloo
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $38 | $18 – $72 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $20 | $10 – $29 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $12 | $11 – $18 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $38$18 – $72
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $20$10 – $29
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $12$11 – $18
Restaurant Prices in Waterloo
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $18 | $11 – $22 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $51 | $44 – $84 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $10 | $7.31 – $11 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.30 | $2.93 – $7.31 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $5.85 | $4.39 – $8.78 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.93 | $1.46 – $3.66 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.64 | $1.46 – $3.65 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.19 | $0.73 – $2.19 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $18$11 – $22
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $51$44 – $84
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $10$7.31 – $11
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $5.30$2.93 – $7.31
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $5.85$4.39 – $8.78
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $2.93$1.46 – $3.66
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.64$1.46 – $3.65
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $1.19$0.73 – $2.19
Salaries & Mortgages in Waterloo
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $3,105 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 5.09% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $3,105
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 5.09%
Compare Waterloo with…
Pick any city to see costs side by side.
Related cities
Similar cost tier, nearby, or in the same country.
Canada
London-Canada
Monthly / 1 person
$1,691
vs NYC
38.4/100
Canada
Kingston
Monthly / 1 person
$1,742
vs NYC
39.6/100
Canada
Calgary
Monthly / 1 person
$1,748
vs NYC
39.7/100
Canada
Hamilton
Monthly / 1 person
$1,758
vs NYC
40/100
Canada
Surrey
Monthly / 1 person
$1,759
vs NYC
40/100
Canada
Windsor
Monthly / 1 person
$1,766
vs NYC
40.1/100
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Waterloo?
- An estimated $1,708 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Waterloo. A family of four needs around $3,387 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $1,002.
- How much money do I need to live in Waterloo?
- Plan for at least $1,708 per month as a single person, $3,387 per month for a family of four, or $1,002 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Waterloo.
- What is the average rent in Waterloo?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Waterloo rents for around $1,437 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $2,269 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Waterloo?
- The average monthly net salary in Waterloo is around $3,105. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 46% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Waterloo?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Waterloo costs around $18. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $81 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($2.17/L) and bread ($2.22/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Waterloo?
- A monthly public transport pass in Waterloo costs around $70. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Waterloo?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Waterloo costs around $47 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.