City vs city

Ottawa vs Edmonton

Ottawa is bigger (1,700,014 vs 1,692,385). Ottawa has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($1,757 vs $1,598). Ottawa has higher median household income ($98,000 vs $96,000). Ottawa has milder winters, with January averaging (-10.3°C vs -11.1°C). Edmonton has longer commutes (23.9 min vs 23.8 min).

OttawaEdmonton
People
Population (latest est.)1,700,0141,692,385
Growth since 2021+10.4%+14.9%
Median age40.437.6
Immigrants21.4%26.0%
Speak English & French43.1%6.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64)43.7%31.8%
Money
Median household income$98,000$96,000
Unemployment rate7.9%7.6%
Inflation (CPI, 12 months)+3.0%+3.5%
Housing
Avg. 1-bedroom rent$1,542$1,301
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$1,757$1,598
Rent change, 5 years+33.6%+25.8%
Vacancy rate3.4%3.9%
Median home value$548,000$400,000
Homeowners65.4%68.7%
Spend 30%+ on housing18.4%22.5%
Getting around
Average commute23.8 min23.9 min
Take transit9.7%6.1%
Walk or bike7.2%4.0%
Safety
Crime Severity Index50.695.5
Climate
January average-10.3°C-11.1°C
July daily high26.5°C23.5°C
Snow per year223 cm122 cm
Precipitation per year943 mm508 mm

Green marks the generally more favourable value where one exists. Census figures are from 2021; rent, jobs, prices and population are the latest releases.

Average temperature by month

-15°-5°5°15°25°JanMarMayJulSep
OttawaEdmonton

Two-bedroom rent over time

$958$1,179$1,400$1,622$1,84320152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
OttawaEdmonton