Kitchener, Canada
Editor
March 12, 2023
Kitchener, Ontario is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and diverse city to call home. With a population of over 233,000, Kitchener is the tenth largest city in Canada and the largest city in the Waterloo Region. The city is known for its strong economy, with a median household income of $77,000 and a low unemployment rate of 4.7%. Kitchener is also home to a number of tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, and BlackBerry, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads looking to work in the tech industry. The city also offers a variety of cultural attractions, including the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. With its vibrant culture, strong economy, and tech-friendly environment, Kitchener is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to make a home away from home.
Living in Kitchener, Canada: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
63%
Quality of life -
51%
Cost of living -
80%
Connectivity -
50%
Weather
61
General
| Currency | CAD |
| Population (in millions) | 0.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Unranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 8% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Downtown, Victoria Park |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 0 |
| Top selling local beer | Steamwhistle |
| Most popular local dish | Schnitzel |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Victoria Park, THEMUSEUM, Grand River Dinner Cruise |
| Discount airline | WestJet |
| Major airline | No major airline |
| Largest ride sharing company | Lyft |
| Primary train stations | Kitchener GO Station, Kitchener VIA Rail Station, and Kitchener Bus Station |
| Primary airports | No primary airports |
| Best rental car company | Enterprise Rent-A-Car |
| Used car costs | 15000 CAD |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Conestoga Mall, 550 King Street North, Kitchener, ON N2N 5W6 |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B,C |
| Supply voltage | 120V |
| Best electronics store | BestBuy |
| Best internet carrier | Rogers |
| Primary cellular carrier | Rogers |
| Average monthly cost for internet | $50.00 CAD |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Shoppers |
| Best restaurant chain | The Keg |
| The best grocery store | Sobeys |
| The most popular fashion brand | Le Chateau |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $41,945 / year |
| Average annual income | $50,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 13% |
| Income tax rate | 0% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 0 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 3.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | The amount of money you should take out from an ATM in Kitchener will depend on your individual needs |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | TD Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 519-570-9777 (police), 519-570-9777 (ambulance), 519-570- |
| Polution per square meter | 441 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | Not available |
| Main religion | Christianity |
Quality of life
63%
-
59%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
63%
Property to income -
41%
Crime -
66%
Healthcare -
50%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | CA$4,934 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 7.11% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | CA$1,100 |
Cost of living
51%
-
Purchasing Power
131%
-
Rent
35%
-
Food
66%
-
Restaurant
63%
-
Workspace
26%
-
Transport
26%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | CA$1,735.94 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | CA$1,593.69 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | CA$2,512.36 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | CA$2,357.69 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | CA$15.00 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | CA$2.92 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CA$3.29 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CA$4.37 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | CA$15.52 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | CA$1.92 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | CA$15.50 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | CA$3.51 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CA$4.68 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | CA$15.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | CA$16.11 |
| Apples (1kg) | CA$3.93 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CA$5.06 |
| Potato (1kg) | CA$2.67 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | CA$2.75 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CA$3.53 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CA$5.90 |
| Banana (1kg) | CA$1.45 |
| Onion (1kg) | CA$3.11 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | CA$21.00 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | CA$21.50 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | CA$99.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | CA$12.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | CA$4.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CA$5.25 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | CA$1.69 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | CA$1.96 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | CA$3.33 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | CA$205.16 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | CA$0.25 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | CA$76.62 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | CA$35.57 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | CA$15.00 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | CA$15.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | CA$3.50 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CA$90.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | CA$1.70 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | CA$25,187.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | CA$25,602.86 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CA$3.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CA$2.10 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CA$35.00 |