Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Toronto vs Ottawa

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Toronto
$110,174
/ year
+5%
difference
Ottawa
$105,172
/ year
Bottom line: Ottawa offers better purchasing power despite Toronto paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Ottawa
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$110,174✓ higher
$105,172
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$71,249✓ higher
$68,014
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$170,365✓ higher
$162,630
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$74,918✓ higher
$71,517
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$88,139
$97,381✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$96,899✓ higher
$92,499
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$231,696✓ higher
$221,177

What if you move from Toronto to Ottawa?

Gross salary change
$5,002
5% decrease
Take-home change
$3,401
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$9,242
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$110,174
P10: $96,899Median: $110,174P90: $231,696
Ottawa$105,172
P10: $92,499Median: $105,172P90: $221,177

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

Toronto vs VancouverToronto vs MontrealToronto vs CalgaryToronto vs EdmontonAll UX Researcher salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Researcher earn more in Toronto or Ottawa?

The median UX Researcher salary in Toronto is CA$149,837/yr compared to CA$143,034/yr in Ottawa. Toronto pays 5% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Researcher salary worth more in Toronto or Ottawa after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $88,139/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,381/yr for Ottawa. Ottawa offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Researcher in Toronto vs Ottawa?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Toronto takes home approximately $74,918/yr, vs $71,517/yr in Ottawa. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.