Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is considered to be the cultural capital, with many museums, theatres and cultural events. It is ripe with history, boasting Victorian architecture and art galleries full of noted art pieces.
If you are considering moving to Ottawa, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in Bytown – Ottawa’s original name.
Quick Ottawa Facts:
- Population: 960,756 (2016), 1.25 million in the metropolitan area.
- Official Language: English and French are the co-official languages (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Mandarin, German and many others.
- GDP Per Capita: C$54,753 (2013)
- Ice Rink: In winter, the Rideau Canal freezes making it the world’s longest skating rink – 7.8kms.
- Currency: Canadian Dollar ($, CAD). As of early 2023, $1 USD = C$1.36, €1 EUR = C$1.44, £1 = C$1.64, $1 AUD = C$0.91
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Ottawa
From City | Distance to Ottawa (km) | Approx. Moving Cost ($) |
---|---|---|
Toronto | 450 | 2000 |
Montreal | 200 | 1500 |
Vancouver | 4400 | 6000 |
Calgary | 3500 | 5500 |
Halifax | 1450 | 3000 |
Winnipeg | 2100 | 4000 |
This table includes the city of origin, the distance to Ottawa in kilometers, and an estimated moving cost in Canadian dollars. Keep in mind that these costs are approximate and can vary based on specific circumstances and the time of the move.
2. Ottawa Housing Costs
Compared with other major cities in the world, house and flat prices in Ottawa are reasonable. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.
Monthly Rental Prices in Ottawa:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: C$1,750+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,440+
- 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: C$2,900+
- 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$2,250+
Ottawa Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$8,000+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: C$6,900+
Ottawa Housing Cost Comparison:
This is how rents in Ottawa compare with other cities around the globe.
- London is 49.3% more expensive
- New York is 65.3% more expensive
- Los Angeles is 52.7% more expensive
- Sydney is 37.5% more expensive
- Paris is 20.1% more expensive
- Dubai is 27.5% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs:
- Share a Flat or House: Houses make up nearly 70% of the property available in Ottawa, and the remaining 30% is made up of apartments. 60% of the houses are detached. With a house/flat share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. Remember a shared flat or room usually means a shared bathroom as well. Have a look at the following sites to find a house or flat share which suits you – Ottawa Roommates, Roomie Match and Craigslist.
- Different Areas – Different Prices: Ottawa is considered one of the safest cities in North America. Like most cities, the further you move away from the city centre, the more affordable property becomes. For hipsters of all ages who enjoy living in a small condo, then look at Centretown, The Glebe, Hintonburg and New Edinburgh. For those who want a short commute and are happy living in a townhouse or flat, then look at Hunt Club, Carlingwood and Overbrook. Riverside South, Orleans, Kanata and Barrhaven are ideal for middle-income families/singles, with a large range of accommodations at various prices. For those seeking the great outdoors, you should consider the outer suburbs like Dunrobin, Navan, Greely, Manotick and Kemptville.
3. Ottawa Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Ottawa has some excellent restaurants creating dishes from around the globe. The city has its own Little Italy and Chinatown, both of which have restaurants with a great atmosphere, together with affordable and delicious food.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: C$25.00 – C$30.00
- Takeout Coffee: C$5.00 – C$5.50
- Bottle of Coke: C$3.00 – C$3.50
- 1L of Milk: C$2.60 – C$2.99
- Loaf of Bread: C$3.00 – C$3.50
- 12 Eggs: C$4.20 – C$4.80
- 1kg Chicken: C$15.00 – C$20.00
- 1kg Beef: C$17.00 -C$20.00
- 1kg Apples: C$5.00 – C$6.60
- 1kg White Rice: C$4.50 – C$5.00
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- New York restaurants are 28.9% more expensive and groceries are 38.6% more expensive than Ottawa.
- London restaurants are 12.3% more expensive and groceries are 8.1% cheaper than Ottawa.
- Los Angeles restaurants are 21.4% more expensive and groceries are 20.1% more expensive than Ottawa.
- Sydney restaurants are 5.7% more expensive and groceries are 20.7% more expensive than Ottawa.
- Paris restaurants are 1.6% cheaper and groceries are 19% more expensive than Ottawa.
- Dubai restaurants are 0.2% cheaper and groceries are 25.3% cheaper than Ottawa.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:
- Know Your Supermarkets: Loblaws and the Real Canadian Foodstore are excellent for all foods. Metro has long opening hours and is good for organic food, readymade meals as well as general food shopping. Food Basics, as its name suggests, is a great place to shop for basics. It also stocks international foods – the country each store represents depends on the neighbourhood the store is in.
- Find Cheap Eats: With a little bit of research, you will find restaurants which offer good but inexpensive food, either every day or at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Narcity, Ottawa Magazine and Thrify Tourist.
4. Ottawa Alcohol Costs
Ottawa is generally a quiet city; however, it does have a selection of pubs, bars and clubs to suit everyone’s taste and pocket. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: C$7.50 – C$8.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: C$9.00 – C$10.00
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: C$3.00 – C$3.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: C$3.00 – C$4.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: C$16.00 – C$18.00
How To Drink For Less in Ottawa:
- Keep an eye on the local papers, billboards and websites for specials.
- There are bars, clubs and restaurants that offer cheap drinks at certain times of the day or week. Have a look at the following sites to see what’s on offer in Ottawa – Narcity, Yelp, Ottawa Tourism and Trip Advisor.
5. Ottawa Transportation Fares
Unless you live in the southeast of Ottawa, the only public transport available is the bus run by OC Transport. In the southeast, you can catch a train from Greenboro station to Bayview station. This was a pilot project which has been so successful that 2018 sees the rollout of a full rail system.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult single – C$3.75
- One-day pass – C$10.25
- Monthly season ticket for bus, subway, streetcar and train – C$125.00
How To Save Money on Public Transport:
- Group and family day pass available at weekends and public holidays
- Buy a bike. There is a good system of cycle lanes in Ottawa.
- Walk. If you live close to where you work, then enjoy the walk
6. Cost of Internet in Ottawa
Internet in Canada is more expensive than in the UK but cheaper than in the US. Pay-as-you-go plans are generally much more expensive in Canada than in other countries and, service providers often charge you for incoming calls. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Bell: C$55.00 a month (Fiber broadband up to 10Mbps)
- Virgin: C$40.00 a month (Standard broadband up to 50Mbps)
- Primus: C$41.95 a month (Standard broadband up to 100Mbps)
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Be prepared for Ottawa’s severe winters, where there is at least 1cm of snow on the ground for 120 days a year. The average minimum temperature in January is a very cold -14.8°C. On the other hand, summers are hot and humid, with daytime temperatures frequently reaching 30°C from June until September.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: C$80 – C$85
- Summer Dress: C$60 – C$65
- Running Shoes (Trainers): C$120 – C$130
- Business Shoes: C$175 – C$200
- Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): C$85
- Deodorant: C$5.00
- Shampoo: C$5.50
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): C$2.50
- Gym Membership: C$70 per month
- Movie (cinema) Ticket: C$15
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Ottawa
Everyone in Canada drives on the right. Many people use their cars to get to and from work and, even though there is traffic congestion during rush hour periods, it’s not as bad as in other cities.
If you’re moving to Ottawa from within Canada, your Canadian license is valid for 60 days. After that time, you must apply for an Ontario driving license. If you are moving to Ottawa from another country, then you may be able to exchange your license without taking a driving test. This depends on which country you are relocating from. If your country isn’t on the list then you will need to take a driving test.
Another route is to get International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. IDPs are valid for 12 months and your license will be in English and French.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Ottawa:
- Volkswagen Golf: C$28,500+
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): C$1.87
- Vehicle Permit: C$32
- Other Fees: Go to other costs for details of other fees, many of which depend on the type of car you own
Source: Expatistan, CAA
Ways To Save Money on Driving in Ottawa:
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World, Ottawa Ride and Match, Ottawa Carpool or uOttawa.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.
9. Taxes in Ottawa
No matter where you live in Canada, you will pay Federal Tax and then you will pay Provincial Tax which varies from province to province. To learn more about the different taxes go to Settlement.org and the Canadian Revenue Agency.
Sales Tax is 13% in Ottawa and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. It is not included in the marked price. Tax is added at the checkout and itemised at the bottom of your bill.
If you decide to buy a house or flat in Ottawa, you will be subject to provincial land transfer tax and municipal land transfer tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in.
10. Flight Costs from Ottawa
If you do make the move to Ottawa, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- New York: C$150
- Los Angeles: C$290
- London: C$460
- Vancouver: C$155
- Toronto: C$120
- Dubai: C$798
- Sydney: C$817
- Melbourne: C$801
- Cape Town: C$1,050
- Hong Kong: C$1,090
Other Tips on Moving to Ottawa:
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Ottawa but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Moving to Ottawa Alone
Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Ottawa.
- Meetups: Ottawa has lots of free meetup groups you can find at Ottawa Meetups. Find groups for skating, entrepreneurs, the arts and more.
- Attend Local Events: There’s always a lot going on in Ottawa, especially for those into the arts. Discover local events through sites such as Trip Advisor, Travel US, Ottawa Tourism, Vacation Idea and Narcity.
12. Moving to Ottawa with a Family
Ottawa has a lot to offer families, both during the summer and the winter.
Here’s some extra food for thought.
- New Parents (or parents to be): Have a look at the following sites to see what groups are available for new parents or parents-to-be – PQCHC and The Mother’s Program.
- Live in a Family-friendly Area: Due to the predominance of detached houses in the city, Ottawa has many family-friendly areas. Kanata North is a fast-growing suburb with lots of new builds. It has some excellent schools which have attracted families to the area. Barrhaven is another popular area for families, with good schools, shopping and amenities close by. Nepean is a large suburb with much to offer families – good schools, a greenbelt with walking/hiking/skiing and cycling trails. Westboro’s beach on the river and large recreation centre attract families to it. For families who want a short commute and relatively cheap accommodation, then Hunts Club, Carlingswood and Overbrook are ideal.
- Find Things To Do With The Kids: Ottawa-Kids, Family Days Out, Kids in the Capital, Mom on the Go and CBC.
13. Moving to Ottawa for Work
Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
The biggest employer in Ottawa is the federal government. There are also many tech companies here, with IBM, Shopify and Cisco Systems being some of the top employers. There are also opportunities in construction, health, education and finance.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: Salaries in Ottawa are not as high as in other major cities in the world, but the cost of living is lower which compensates for that. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Ottawa, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Workopolis and Career Builder. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Ottawa from Australia
There’s a small group of Australians living in Ottawa. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking of joining them.
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Ottawa with the size of a city in Australia, the closest would be a city in between the size of Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
- Join Expat Groups: Internations offers ways of meeting up with other Australians in Ottawa.
15. Moving to Ottawa from the United States
There’s a large group of Americans living in Ottawa. Here are a few bonus tips for those of you considering joining your fellow Americans.
- Size Comparison: If you look at the population of Ottawa and compare it with a city in the States, the closest in size is San Jose, CA.
- Expat Groups: If you want to meet up with fellow Americans, have look at Internations.
16. Moving to Ottawa from the United Kingdom
The British have been settling in Canada since the late 18th Century. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Ottawa with a city in the UK, you would be looking at Birmingham.
- Expat Groups: If you would like to meet other Brits living in Ottawa, have a look at the following sites – Internations and Meetup.
Read our full guide on Moving To Canada From The UK.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Ottawa you can start by comparing moving quotes here.