Cost of Living Comparison Between Ajax, ON and West Lafayette, IN Cost of Living Comparison Between Ajax, ON and West Lafayette, IN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,030 per month in Ajax, ON vs $2,373 in West Lafayette, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,909 per month in Ajax, ON vs $3,458 in West Lafayette, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,787 per month in Ajax, ON vs $4,543 in West Lafayette, IN, rent included.

Ajax, ON costs about 28% more than West Lafayette, IN, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Ajax, ON and West Lafayette, IN sit above the global median – Ajax, ON by 128%, West Lafayette, IN by 78%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.61 CA$20.47

$13.20 $13.20

10.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.1 CA$105

$69.7 $69.7

7.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.39 CA$14.56

$6.68 $6.68

55.54%

Cappuccino

$3.40 CA$4.76

$4.55 $4.55

-25.27%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 CA$2.63

$1.84 $1.84

2.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 CA$2.40

$2.35 $2.35

-27.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.78 CA$5.30

$5.39 $5.39

-29.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.98 CA$8.37

$3.41 $3.41

75.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.79 CA$2.50

$0.74 $0.74

141.89%

White Bread (500g)

$2.76 CA$3.87

$1.94 $1.94

42.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.54 CA$6.36

$2.12 $2.12

114.15%

Eggs

$3.28 CA$4.60

$3.91 $3.91

-16.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.75 CA$13.67

$14.16 $14.16

-31.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.05 CA$14.08

$15.17 $15.17

-33.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.49 CA$23.11

$19.12 $19.12

-13.76%

Apples (1kg)

$4.57 CA$6.41

$4.00 $4.00

14.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 CA$2.18

$1.19 $1.19

31.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.93 CA$4.10

$2.25 $2.25

30.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.49 CA$6.29

$2.75 $2.75

63.27%

Potato (1kg)

$2.41 CA$3.37

$2.53 $2.53

-4.74%

Onion (1kg)

$2.56 CA$3.58

$2.80 $2.80

-8.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.79 CA$3.91

$2.50 $2.50

11.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 CA$2.41

$2.73 $2.73

-37.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.72 CA$19.22

$15.02 $15.02

-8.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.41 CA$20.20

$15.27 $15.27

-5.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 CA$3.07

$1.69 $1.69

29.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 CA$3.13

$3.54 $3.54

-37.01%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.61 CA$3.66

$0.99 $0.99

163.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.0 CA$92.5

$28.42 $28.42

132.30%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.09 CA$4.33

$3.31 $3.31

-6.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.74 CA$3.84

$0.91 $0.91

201.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.61 CA$35.89

$24.51 $24.51

4.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 CA$1.62

$0.81 $0.81

43.21%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.5K CA$34.4K

$32.6K $32.6K

-24.67%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$19.9K CA$27.9K

$26.6K $26.6K

-25.03%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$188 CA$264

$132 $132

43.26%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$33.37 CA$46.76

$52.6 $52.6

-36.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.1 CA$82.8

$58.6 $58.6

0.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.04 CA$46.31

$39.58 $39.58

-16.52%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.00 CA$15.41

$12.47 $12.47

-11.79%

Cinema Ticket

$10.91 CA$15.29

$8.21 $8.21

32.89%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$911 CA$1,277

$990 $990

-7.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.3K CA$25.6K

$39.7K $39.7K

-54.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.77 CA$69.7

$45.18 $45.18

10.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.47 CA$52.5

$52.3 $52.3

-28.31%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.5 CA$124

$95.0 $95.0

-6.88%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 CA$154

$145 $145

-24.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,814 CA$2,542

$1,332 $1,332

36.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,821 CA$2,551

$1,235 $1,235

47.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,478 CA$3,473

$1,847 $1,847

34.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,285 CA$3,201

$1,996 $1,996

14.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,751 $1,751

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,807 $1,807

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,040 CA$4,259

$8,834 $8,834

-65.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.83

6.53

4.59%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ajax, ON: July 28, 2026

Last update for West Lafayette, IN: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,814 in Ajax, ON versus $1,332 in West Lafayette, IN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 191% higher in West Lafayette, IN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $75.0 in Ajax, ON versus $70.0 in West Lafayette, IN. Groceries tell a different story – $360 in Ajax, ON vs $378 in West Lafayette, IN – so Ajax, ON wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Ajax, ON vs West Lafayette, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ajax, ON is pricier by about 28%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,545 per month in Ajax, ON and $3,559 in West Lafayette, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in West Lafayette, IN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,030 in Ajax, ON and $2,373 in West Lafayette, IN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 132% less in West Lafayette, IN. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in West Lafayette, IN, where all-in costs run around $2,373, than in Ajax, ON at $3,030. In West Lafayette, IN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ajax, ON it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward West Lafayette, IN – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with West Lafayette, IN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ajax, ON makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.