What is the cost of living in Ottawa?

Ottawa has a cost of living index of 113 (100 = Canada average). Median monthly rent is $2,100 and median household income is $86,000.

What is the average rent in Ottawa?

The median monthly rent in Ottawa is $2,100. The median home price is $600,000.

Is Ottawa affordable?

Ottawa's rent-to-income ratio is 29.3%. This is generally considered affordable.

What are the average salaries in Ottawa?

Salaries in Ottawa vary by occupation. Software Engineers earn a median of $121,983, Registered Nurses earn $81,541, and Teachers earn $70,060.

What is the quality of life in Ottawa?

Ottawa scores 64/100 on our quality of life index, which factors in affordability, safety (72/100), healthcare (82/100), air quality, green space, and transit access.

Ottawa has a safety score of 72/100 with a crime rate of 40.5 per 1,000 residents. It's considered a relatively safe city.

Is Ottawa good for digital nomads?

Ottawa scores 70/100 for digital nomads, factoring in internet speed (88 Mbps), walkability (65/100), safety, and cost of living. It's a strong choice for remote workers.

What is the weather like in Ottawa?

Ottawa has summer highs around 26°C (79°F) and winter lows around -11°C (12°F). The city gets 2,060 hours of sunshine per year with 920mm of rainfall and 55 snow days.

Home/Canada/Ontario/Ottawa

Canada

Ontario

1,040,000

Ottawa

Cost of living, rent, income, taxes, and expenses for Ottawa, Canada.

Cost Index

0/100

Income

$86,000/yr

Rent

$2,100/mo

Home Price

$600,000

Population

1,040,000

12mo Trend

-4pts

Quality of Life Dashboard

Overall QoL

National avg: 61

Safety

Crime: 40.5/1k

Healthcare

Walkability

Nat avg: 59

Digital Nomad

Nat avg: 65

Purchasing Power

76106

Air Quality (AQI)

Green Space

22%

Education

86/100

Climate & Weather

Summer

26°C

79°F

Winter

-11°C

12°F

Sunshine

2,060

hrs/year

Rainfall

920

mm/year

Snow Days

days/year

Temperature Range

-20°C0°C20°C40°C

Lifestyle Intelligence

Walk Score65/100

Transit Score58/100

Internet Speed88 Mbps

Avg Commute28 min

Nightlife62/100

Startup Score78/100

2 Universities

Education score: 86/100

Grocery Basket & Monthly Costs

🥛

Milk (1L)

CA$3.10

🍞

Bread

CA$3.40

🥚

Eggs (12)

CA$4.30

🍚

Rice (1kg)

CA$4.60

🍗

Chicken (1kg)

CA$15

🍺

Beer (500ml)

CA$3.30

☕

Coffee

CA$5.20

🚌

Transit Pass

CA$125

💪

Gym

CA$50

🎬

Cinema

CA$15

Monthly Essentials TotalCA$400

Estimated from 15L milk, 8 loaves, 48 eggs, 4kg rice, 8kg chicken + transit + gym

Everyday Cost Snapshot

Groceries

$378

monthly household grocery budget

Utilities

$189

electric, water, and home basics

Internet

$68

home broadband estimate

Phone

$40

mobile service estimate

Transportation

$252

monthly transit and local travel

Healthcare

$210

routine monthly healthcare spend

Essentials total

$3,237

After essentials

$3,930

Rent share

29.3%

Cost Breakdown

Housing

+27%vs avg

Food & Groceries

+6%vs avg

Transportation

+5%vs avg

Utilities

-2%vs avg

Healthcare

+16%vs avg

Top Neighborhoods

ByWard Market$2,200/mo

Historic & nightlife

Glebe$2,300/mo

Walkable & boutique

Westboro$2,150/mo

Trendy & village-like

Salary Ranges in Ottawa

RoleEntryMedianExpert

Chief Executive$145,228$201,705$286,421

General Manager$73,997$102,773$145,938

Operations Manager$71,230$98,931$140,482

Marketing Manager$108,575$150,799$214,135

Sales Manager$93,360$129,667$184,127

HR Manager$89,903$124,865$177,308

Financial Manager$103,734$144,075$204,587

IT Manager$113,416$157,522$223,681

12-Month Trend

Similar Cities in Canada

Calgary114

Alberta · $2,050/mo · QoL 61

Hamilton110

Ontario · $1,880/mo · QoL 56

Mississauga118

Ontario · $2,450/mo · QoL 59

Edmonton108

Alberta · $1,800/mo · QoL 58

Victoria120

British Columbia · $2,300/mo · QoL 66

Montreal104

Quebec · $1,700/mo · QoL 64

Other Cities in Ontario

101

110

118

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Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability Score

100

Affordable — income vs rent

Digital Nomad Profile

DN Score

Internet

88 Mbps

Commute

28 min

Safety

72/100

Walkability

65/100

Tax Rates

Income Tax20.5%

CPP/EI5.45%

Property Tax1.1%

GST/HST13%

Combined Tax Load

40.0%

Budget Quick Look

Monthly Income (est.)

$7,167

Median Rent

$2,100

After Rent

$5,067

Rent-to-Income

29.3%

Housing

Median Home Price

$600,000

Population

1,040,000

Startup Ecosystem

Startup Score

Growing ecosystem

Assembling your view…

Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.