💸 Cost of living · Ontario
Cost of living in Thunder Bay 2026
Renting a two-bedroom apartment in Thunder Bay costs about $1,493 a month (CMHC, October 2025). That is about 22% of the median household income of $80,000.
Rent by apartment size
Grocery prices in Ontario
| Eggs, 1 dozen | $5.00 |
| Milk, 4 litres | $6.87 |
| White bread, 675 grams | $3.27 |
| Ground beef, per kilogram | $16.09 |
| Chicken breasts, per kilogram | $13.94 |
| Bananas, per kilogram | $1.71 |
| Roasted or ground coffee, 340 grams | $9.38 |
| Butter, 454 grams | $5.75 |
Sources: CMHC Rental Market Survey; Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0245-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0001-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0004-01
FAQ
Questions
What is the cost of living in Thunder Bay?
In Thunder Bay, the average two-bedroom rent is $1,493 a month and a one-bedroom is $1,173 (CMHC, October 2025). The median household income is $80,000 (2021 Census). Regular gas costs about 175.8¢ a litre.
How much do you need to live in Thunder Bay?
A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of income on housing. At $1,493 a month for a two-bedroom, that means a household income of about $59,720 a year.