| Index | Ottawa | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 73 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Ottawa allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Ottawa stands at 91, marking it 9% lower than the national average.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Ottawa are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Ottawa can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Wondering if Ottawa is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Ottawa, for example, the median home price is 32.4% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 13.6% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Ottawa boasting a median household income of $79,564, which is 2.2% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Ottawa, the housing index comes in at 26.8% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Ottawa, the standard sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 4.95%.
The Ottawa cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $94,928 | $7,911 | $2,215 | $2,848 |
| Renters | $54,931 | $4,578 | $1,282 | $1,648 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Leonore, IL | 140 | 81 | 18.9% |
| Kangley, IL | 249 | 85 | 15.2% |
| Ransom, IL | 362 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Oglesby, IL | 3,764 | 86 | 14.0% |
| Kinsman, IL | 100 | 87 | 12.8% |
| Ottawa, IL | 19,177 | 91 | 8.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Winthrop Town, MA | 19,172 | 149 | 49.2% |
| Creve Coeur, MO | 19,159 | 133 | 32.6% |
| Altus, OK | 19,157 | 84 | 16.3% |
| Brushy Creek, TX | 19,202 | 122 | 21.9% |
| Twinsburg, OH | 19,149 | 103 | 3.4% |
| Ottawa, IL | 19,177 | 91 | 8.7% |
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