Ottawa vs Surrey on CAD 80,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of CAD 80,000 a year, a single employee takes home CAD 5,025 a month in Ottawa (75% of gross) and CAD 5,096 a month in Surrey (76%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Surrey is 2% cheaper than Ottawa overall (cost-of-living index 49.6 vs 50.8, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about CAD 1,881 a month in Surrey and CAD 2,112 in Ottawa, which leaves CAD 3,215 and CAD 2,913 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about CAD 4,171 a month in Surrey — this salary leaves CAD 926 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 5% less in Surrey than in Ottawa, eating out 12% less and rent 5% more.
| Ottawa | Surrey | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | CAD 80,000 | CAD 80,000 |
| Take-home pay per month | CAD 5,025 | CAD 5,096 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | CAD 2,112 | CAD 1,881 |
| Left after rent | CAD 2,913 | CAD 3,215 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 50.8 | 49.6 |
How each figure is taxed: Canada tax calculator and Canada tax calculator. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about Ottawa vs Surrey
Is Surrey, Canada more expensive than Ottawa, Canada?
Surrey, Canada is 2% cheaper than Ottawa, Canada overall. On a gross salary of CAD 80,000 a year, you take home CAD 5,025 a month in Ottawa, Canada and CAD 5,096 a month in Surrey, Canada after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Surrey, Canada vs Ottawa, Canada?
Keeping the same standard of living as in Ottawa, Canada, you could save about CAD 926 a month (CAD 11,110 a year) in Surrey, Canada on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Canada vs Canada?
On CAD 80,000 gross a year you take home CAD 5,025 a month in Canada and CAD 5,096 a month in Canada. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.