Cost of Living in Cambridge - Updated Prices & Insights

66.6
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $943 (excluding rent), and $2,521 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,274 (excluding rent), and $4,621 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.64 CA$19.93
$5.86 CA$7.97
$36.6 CA$49.83
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.9 CA$89.7
$47.57 CA$64.8
$102 CA$139
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.51 CA$12.94
$7.17 CA$9.76
$10.76 CA$14.64
Cappuccino
$3.53 CA$4.8
$1.44 CA$1.96
$4.33 CA$5.89
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 CA$2.99
$1.5 CA$2.04
$2.63 CA$3.58
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55 CA$2.11
$0.72 CA$0.98
$1.97 CA$2.68
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.85 CA$7.97
$2.56 CA$3.49
$8.78 CA$11.96
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.52 CA$8.87
$4.92 CA$6.7
$10.85 CA$14.77
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 CA$2.93
$1.09 CA$1.48
$3.63 CA$4.95
White Bread (500g)
$2.28 CA$3.1
$1.46 CA$1.99
$3.29 CA$4.48
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.9 CA$3.95
$1.46 CA$1.99
$5.84 CA$7.95
Eggs
$3.26 CA$4.43
$2.26 CA$3.08
$4.51 CA$6.15
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.29 CA$11.28
$3.61 CA$4.91
$19.84 CA$27.01
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.74 CA$15.98
$5.09 CA$6.93
$18.19 CA$24.77
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.02 CA$19.09
$5.2 CA$7.08
$21.31 CA$29
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 CA$5.41
$1.18 CA$1.61
$5.6 CA$7.63
Banana (1kg)
$1.24 CA$1.69
$0.96 CA$1.31
$1.65 CA$2.25
Oranges (1kg)
$3.63 CA$4.95
$2.22 CA$3.02
$5.9 CA$8.03
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 CA$5.32
$1.88 CA$2.56
$6.39 CA$8.69
Potato (1kg)
$2.59 CA$3.53
$0.63 CA$0.86
$4.3 CA$5.85
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 CA$3.34
$0.95 CA$1.3
$4.71 CA$6.41
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.15 CA$2.93
$0.73 CA$0.99
$3.6 CA$4.9
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 CA$2.15
$0.36 CA$0.49
$2.65 CA$3.61
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.84 CA$18.84
$10.48 CA$14.26
$16.47 CA$22.41
Wine (Bottle)
$11.02 CA$15.01
$7.35 CA$10
$14.71 CA$20.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.48 CA$3.38
$1.81 CA$2.46
$3.06 CA$4.17
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 CA$4.37
$1.32 CA$1.79
$5.1 CA$6.94
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.64 CA$3.6
$2.64 CA$3.6
$2.83 CA$3.85
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$67 CA$91.1
$50.6 CA$68.9
$67 CA$91.1
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.54 CA$3.46
$2.54 CA$3.46
$3.63 CA$4.94
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.75 CA$2.39
$1.75 CA$2.39
$1.75 CA$2.39
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.54 CA$33.41
$24.54 CA$33.41
$30 CA$40.84
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 CA$1.57
$1.05 CA$1.43
$1.24 CA$1.68
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K CA$34.2K
$25.1K CA$34.2K
$25.1K CA$34.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K CA$27.7K
$19.7K CA$26.8K
$21.9K CA$29.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 CA$211
$106 CA$144
$224 CA$305
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.57 CA$53.9
$18.5 CA$25.18
$71.8 CA$97.7
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.4 CA$74
$40.14 CA$54.7
$75.1 CA$102
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.87 CA$40.65
$22.21 CA$30.24
$38.5 CA$52.4
Cinema Ticket
$11.87 CA$16.16
$8.91 CA$12.12
$16.32 CA$22.22
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$559 CA$761
$360 CA$490
$757 CA$1,031
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.3K CA$14K
$10.3K CA$14K
$22K CA$29.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55 CA$74.8
$15.25 CA$20.76
$79.9 CA$109
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.76 CA$45.96
$13.83 CA$18.82
$43.66 CA$59.4
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.8 CA$95
$32.98 CA$44.9
$109 CA$149
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 CA$150
$29.47 CA$40.11
$147 CA$201
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,408 CA$1,917
$1,112 CA$1,513
$2,594 CA$3,531
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,392 CA$1,895
$1,258 CA$1,712
$1,516 CA$2,064
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,678 CA$3,645
$2,164 CA$2,946
$3,668 CA$4,993
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,157 CA$2,935
$2,025 CA$2,757
$2,400 CA$3,267
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,053 CA$5,517
$1,248 CA$1,699
$4,053 CA$5,517
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,818 CA$3,835
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
4.45
6.9
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Cambridge - Frequently Asked Questions
How does affordability in Cambridge, Canada compare for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Cambridge, Canada is moderate compared with larger Canadian cities while still offering reliable services, parks, and easy day trips to the Waterloo region. You’ll find a mix of historic streets and modern rentals, with options for different budgets in the downtown core and family-friendly neighborhoods. Seasonal markets, cafés, and coworking spaces support a flexible lifestyle without the sticker shock of bigger metros. Tip: spend a few days testing neighborhoods, transit routes, and grocery outlets to see what fits your rhythm.
What does daily life look like in Cambridge for housing searches, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life centers around a walkable core with a mix of rental apartments, townhomes, and family homes. For housing search, start with local listings and neighborhood visits, then widen your scope if you want cheaper options nearby. Food runs a spectrum – from large grocery chains to farmers markets and diverse ethnic shops – helping you eat well on a budget. Transport is practical via a reliable bus network; cycling is easy in many seasons. Co-working spaces and cafés provide flexible work spots, while errands are manageable with a short drive or transit. Cambridge, Canada living cost varies by neighborhood, so test routes before committing. Tip: map out a weekly grocery route and transit times to save time.
Which neighborhoods fit best for different lifestyles and how can you budget to maximize your quality of life and savings?
Quality of life in Cambridge blends small-city charm with access to regional amenities. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate fixed costs (rent, utilities) from flexible spending (groceries, dining, entertainment) and set aside a regular savings goal. Seasonality affects heating needs in winter and outdoor activities in summer, so plan for variable utilities and shift leisure choices accordingly. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace – downtown walkers gain convenience, Hespeler offers family-friendly streets, and Preston can feel quieter and more residential. Practical saves come from buying in season, using public transit or bikes, and opting for longer-term coworking memberships. Tip: try a trial month in two areas to compare daily rhythms.
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