💸 Cost of living · Ontario
Cost of living in Waterloo 2026
Renting a two-bedroom apartment in Waterloo costs about $1,901 a month (CMHC, October 2025). That is about 24% of the median household income of $94,000.
2-bedroom rent$1,901CMHC, Oct 2025
1-bedroom rent$1,747
Median household income$94,0002020, before tax
Rent as share of income24%2-bedroom × 12 ÷ median income
Regular gas—Not surveyed
Inflation+2.5%Ontario
Owners' monthly costs$1,540median, 2021
Median home value$700,0002021 Census
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 Waterloo?
In Waterloo, the average two-bedroom rent is $1,901 a month and a one-bedroom is $1,747 (CMHC, October 2025). The median household income is $94,000 (2021 Census).
How much do you need to live in Waterloo?
A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of income on housing. At $1,901 a month for a two-bedroom, that means a household income of about $76,040 a year.