Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Indianapolis, IN and Oshawa

For one person, living is cheaper in Oshawa: $2,370 a month against $2,689 in Indianapolis, IN, rent and utilities included – about $3,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Indianapolis, IN, United States
Oshawa, Canada
Indianapolis, IN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,689
/mo nomad
Oshawa
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,370
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Indianapolis, IN and in Oshawa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Indianapolis, IN and in Oshawa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,689 in Indianapolis, IN versus $2,370 in Oshawa.

  • Indianapolis, IN $2,689
  • Oshawa $2,370

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,862 in Indianapolis, IN versus $3,414 in Oshawa.

  • Indianapolis, IN $3,862
  • Oshawa $3,414

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,035 in Indianapolis, IN versus $4,457 in Oshawa.

  • Indianapolis, IN $5,035
  • Oshawa $4,457

Living in Indianapolis, IN is roughly 13% more expensive than in Oshawa, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Indianapolis, IN 99% above, Oshawa 75% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.10 $20.10
$14.25 CA$19.90
41.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.3 $80.3
$63.6 CA$88.7
26.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.03 $12.03
$8.33 CA$11.63
44.42%
Cappuccino
$5.54 $5.54
$3.54 CA$4.95
56.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 $3.14
$1.77 CA$2.47
77.40%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$1.36 CA$1.90
95.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.39 $6.39
$4.86 CA$6.79
31.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.17 $8.17
$6.04 CA$8.43
35.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$2.91 CA$4.06
-69.07%
White Bread (500g)
$3.39 $3.39
$2.91 CA$4.06
16.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.86 $4.86
$4.12 CA$5.75
17.96%
Eggs
$3.63 $3.63
$2.97 CA$4.14
22.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.15 $12.15
$10.14 CA$14.15
19.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.57 $12.57
$13.74 CA$19.19
-8.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.22 $17.22
$16.60 CA$23.17
3.73%
Apples (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$4.20 CA$5.87
28.81%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 $1.51
$1.22 CA$1.70
23.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.79 $4.79
$2.94 CA$4.10
62.93%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$3.84 CA$5.36
12.24%
Potato (1kg)
$2.44 $2.44
$3.36 CA$4.69
-27.38%
Onion (1kg)
$2.95 $2.95
$2.57 CA$3.59
14.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.38 $2.38
$2.35 CA$3.28
1.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$1.73 CA$2.41
45.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.31 $11.31
$14.29 CA$19.95
-20.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.42 $15.42
$12.63 CA$17.63
22.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.04 $2.04
$3.53 CA$4.92
-42.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 $3.58
$3.49 CA$4.87
2.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.82 CA$3.94
-39.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.3 $59.3
$87.1 CA$122
-31.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.74 CA$3.82
-28.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.74 $1.74
$1.44 CA$2.00
20.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.87 $33.87
$19.58 CA$27.33
72.98%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.24 CA$1.74
-18.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.0K $31.0K
$28.8K CA$40.2K
7.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$22.9K CA$32.0K
15.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$233 $233
$139 CA$194
67.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$62.0 $62.0
$37.94 CA$53.0
63.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.6 $63.6
$54.3 CA$75.9
16.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.02 $37.02
$22.91 CA$31.98
61.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$41.34 $41.34
$29.28 CA$40.87
41.19%
Cinema Ticket
$15.01 $15.01
$10.86 CA$15.17
38.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,730 $1,730
$922 CA$1,287
87.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$8,083 CA$11.3K
220.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5 $57.5
$58.3 CA$81.4
-1.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.22 $45.22
$57.7 CA$80.5
-21.59%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 $112
$107 CA$150
4.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$129 CA$180
12.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,685 $1,685
$1,400 CA$1,954
20.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 $1,284
$1,207 CA$1,685
6.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,762 $2,762
$2,003 CA$2,795
37.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,922 $1,922
$1,824 CA$2,546
5.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,818 $2,818
$5,158 CA$7,200
-45.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,712 $1,712
$10.3K CA$14.4K
-83.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Indianapolis, IN
Oshawa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,105 $4,105
$3,049 CA$4,256
34.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.7
4.53
47.90%

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

Last update for Indianapolis, IN: November 3, 2026

Last update for Oshawa: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Indianapolis, IN
$1.3K
Oshawa
$1.2K 6% $77
Groceries & Markets
Indianapolis, IN
$406
Oshawa
$390 3.9% $16
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Indianapolis, IN
$359
Oshawa
$231 35.6% $128
Eating Out
Indianapolis, IN
$335
Oshawa
$230 31.2% $104
Clothing & Footwear
Indianapolis, IN
$162
Oshawa
$158 2% $3.3
Getting Around
Indianapolis, IN
$77
Oshawa
$108 41.2% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Indianapolis, IN
$67
Oshawa
$45 33.4% $22

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,685 in Indianapolis, IN and $1,400 in Oshawa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Indianapolis, IN pays 35% more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $80 in Indianapolis, IN vs $64 in Oshawa for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $406 vs $390 per month, with Oshawa cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Indianapolis, IN
🇨🇦 Oshawa
🕒 Local time
14:06 2:06 PM
14:06 2:06 PM
Same time as Indianapolis, IN
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
882,039
159,458
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 1.4 CAD (1 CAD = 0.716 USD). 1 EUR = 1.57 CAD (1 CAD = 0.638 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Indianapolis, IN Oshawa 760 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Oshawa

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Indianapolis, IN vs Oshawa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Indianapolis, IN or Oshawa?
Oshawa wins on cost – living expenses run 12% lower than in Indianapolis, IN. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Oshawa the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Indianapolis, IN or in Oshawa?
Average pay runs 35% higher in Indianapolis, IN, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Indianapolis, IN compared to Oshawa?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,685 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,400 in Oshawa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Indianapolis, IN and in Oshawa?
Dining out is cheaper in Oshawa – a meal for two runs $64 versus $80 in Indianapolis, IN. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Indianapolis, IN compared to Oshawa?
All in, you’ll spend $2,689 per month in Indianapolis, IN versus $2,370 in Oshawa – Oshawa is about 12% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Indianapolis, IN or in Oshawa?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Oshawa is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Indianapolis, IN or Oshawa?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Should I move to Indianapolis, IN or to Oshawa?
It comes down to priorities – Oshawa wins on affordability, Indianapolis, IN on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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