Cost of Living in Kingston - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $996 (excluding rent), and $2,302 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,483 (excluding rent), and $4,259 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.83 CA$23.05
$14.96 CA$20.49
$18.70 CA$25.61
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.7 CA$101
$44.21 CA$60.6
$92.1 CA$126
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.55 CA$15.82
$11.18 CA$15.31
$11.92 CA$16.34
Cappuccino
$3.53 CA$4.84
$2.16 CA$2.95
$4.31 CA$5.91
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 CA$2.65
$1.49 CA$2.04
$2.99 CA$4.09
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37 CA$1.88
$1.08 CA$1.48
$2.17 CA$2.97
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.02 CA$8.25
$5.26 CA$7.21
$7.52 CA$10.30
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.43 CA$8.81
$3.57 CA$4.89
$7.14 CA$9.78
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.48 CA$3.40
$1.33 CA$1.82
$3.86 CA$5.28
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 CA$3.38
$1.82 CA$2.49
$2.92 CA$4.00
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.11 CA$5.63
$1.48 CA$2.03
$10.41 CA$14.26
Eggs
$2.91 CA$3.99
$2.61 CA$3.57
$2.98 CA$4.08
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.54 CA$14.44
$5.07 CA$6.95
$19.19 CA$26.30
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.71 CA$16.05
$5.62 CA$7.70
$19.48 CA$26.69
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.48 CA$15.72
$4.22 CA$5.77
$36.43 CA$49.91
Apples (1kg)
$3.71 CA$5.08
$1.60 CA$2.20
$4.48 CA$6.14
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 CA$1.74
$0.51 CA$0.69
$3.65 CA$5.00
Oranges (1kg)
$4.09 CA$5.60
$1.45 CA$1.99
$5.10 CA$6.98
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 CA$6.57
$1.89 CA$2.59
$6.61 CA$9.06
Potato (1kg)
$3.42 CA$4.69
$1.59 CA$2.18
$5.78 CA$7.92
Onion (1kg)
$2.38 CA$3.26
$1.05 CA$1.44
$3.31 CA$4.53
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.95 CA$4.04
$2.16 CA$2.96
$4.32 CA$5.91
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 CA$2.24
$0.65 CA$0.89
$7.23 CA$9.91
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.02 CA$19.20
$9.73 CA$13.33
$16.47 CA$22.56
Wine (Bottle)
$12.34 CA$16.91
$9.44 CA$12.94
$27.60 CA$37.81
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39 CA$3.27
$1.89 CA$2.59
$6.82 CA$9.35
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49 CA$4.78
$1.89 CA$2.59
$5.28 CA$7.24
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.54 CA$3.48
$2.17 CA$2.98
$2.72 CA$3.72
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$58.2 CA$79.7
$58.2 CA$79.7
$58.2 CA$79.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.28 CA$4.49
$3.18 CA$4.36
$4.50 CA$6.16
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.53 CA$2.09
$1.52 CA$2.08
$1.54 CA$2.10
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.07 CA$45.31
$31.24 CA$42.79
$33.07 CA$45.31
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 CA$1.54
$1.04 CA$1.43
$1.17 CA$1.61
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K CA$34.7K
$25.3K CA$34.7K
$27.9K CA$38.2K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K CA$28.9K
$20.3K CA$27.8K
$21.1K CA$28.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 CA$178
$77.0 CA$106
$261 CA$357
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.95 CA$61.6
$22.48 CA$30.79
$74.9 CA$103
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.9 CA$107
$59.4 CA$81.3
$111 CA$153
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.97 CA$43.81
$10.94 CA$14.99
$47.42 CA$65.0
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.11 CA$12.48
$7.28 CA$9.98
$10.93 CA$14.97
Cinema Ticket
$10.88 CA$14.90
$10.88 CA$14.90
$13.79 CA$18.89
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$443 CA$607
$148 CA$202
$738 CA$1,012
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K CA$15.8K
$8,665 CA$11.9K
$14.4K CA$19.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.79 CA$62.7
$29.30 CA$40.14
$73.3 CA$100
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.04 CA$49.38
$26.14 CA$35.81
$44.82 CA$61.4
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.4 CA$131
$73.8 CA$101
$118 CA$162
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.6 CA$130
$61.8 CA$84.7
$130 CA$179
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 CA$1,803
$1,013 CA$1,388
$1,713 CA$2,346
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,184 CA$1,622
$1,044 CA$1,431
$1,492 CA$2,044
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,061 CA$2,823
$1,596 CA$2,187
$2,902 CA$3,976
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,657 CA$2,269
$1,362 CA$1,866
$2,209 CA$3,026
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,507 CA$4,804
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,561 CA$3,508
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,094 CA$4,239
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.69
4.45
6.9

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

Last update: March 2, 2026

Kingston Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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Cost of Living in Kingston - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kingston, Canada a good value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, compared with other Canadian cities?
Compared with giants like Toronto or Vancouver, Kingston feels more affordable and navigable for longer stays. The Cost of Living in Kingston, Canada tends to balance reasonable housing options with general daily expenses that don't skyrocket with trendy districts. You'll enjoy a walkable downtown, reliable services, and a mix of heritage sites and modern amenities without the price pressure of larger hubs. Quiet, safe neighborhoods pair well with the university energy in season, while seasonal events keep life lively without turning the calendar into a perpetual tourist trap. Tip: Build a simple monthly plan that blends groceries, transit, and occasional leisure to keep your budget steady.
What does daily life look like in Kingston in terms of housing, food, transport, and errands, and how can you manage the costs?
Daily life in Kingston is easy to tailor: housing options range from charming century homes in central neighborhoods to modern apartments a short ride from the waterfront. Food choices span farmers markets, casual eateries, and affordable take-out. For transport, a solid bus network and bike-friendly streets offer flexible options; many digital nomads enjoy short commutes to coworking spaces and cafes. In managing the Kingston living cost, look for long-term leases, consider shared housing, and shop at local markets outside peak hours. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods that offer both transit access and essential services to minimize drive time.
Which neighborhoods fit different lifestyles, and what budgeting approach and seasonal considerations help you maintain a high quality of life in Kingston?
Quality of life in Kingston comes from balance: easy access to water, parks, and cultural events; a mix of university energy and quiet residential blocks. To budget effectively, start with a simple framework: fixed housing cost, variable daily costs, and a discretionary buffer for seasonal favors (summer festivals, winter heating). Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: uptown near the university offers lively eateries; lakeside and west-end areas feel calmer with longer walks and park access. Short-term stays in a couple of areas let you test the vibe across seasons. Tip: Try a short visit to different neighborhoods during different seasons to gauge fit.

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