Ontario, Canada
Your guide to living in Ottawa: demographics, cost of living, quality of life, and education.
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NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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1,017,449
Ontario
5
Major industries
White
73.7%
Black
7%
Arab
5.9%
Chinese
3.6%
Ottawa is Canada's most bilingual large city, with approximately 37% of the population able to speak both English and French. The city has substantial Lebanese, Somali, Chinese, and South Asian communities, and is a major federal refugee resettlement destination.
Downtown rent
$2,000/mo
Suburban rent
$1,700/mo
Groceries
$380/mo
Recommended monthly budget
$3,500/mo
Ottawa's cost of living is noticeably lower than Toronto or Vancouver, and public-sector salaries provide steady purchasing power. Housing remains more affordable than southern Ontario peers despite recent increases.
Safety rating
Ottawa is served by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Ottawa Catholic School Board, and French-language boards. Major post-secondary institutions include the University of Ottawa (bilingual), Carleton University, and Algonquin College. Both universities have strong public affairs, law, and engineering programs.
Helpful reads about living in Ottawa.
Express Entry from Ottawa: What You Need to Know
A guide to applying through Express Entry while living in Ottawa, including CRS tips and provincial nomination options.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods in Ottawa for Newcomers
Where to live when you first arrive in Ottawa — affordability, transit, schools, and immigrant communities.
Read articleWe don't have a verified lawyer listed for Ottawa yet.
NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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Notable landmarks
Ottawa is Canada's capital and fourth-largest city. The federal government is the dominant employer, supported by a substantial technology sector (Kanata North is one of Canada's largest tech parks), defence industry, and bilingual labour market. Ottawa consistently ranks among the best Canadian cities for quality of life and educational attainment.
Transit rating
Winter average temperature
-10°C
Summer average temperature
26°C
Ottawa consistently ranks among Canada's safest large cities and highest in educational attainment. The Rideau Canal becomes the world's largest skating rink in winter, and extensive Gatineau Park trails serve summer and winter recreation. OC Transpo operates bus and the O-Train light rail.
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