City vs city
Ottawa vs Kitchener
Ottawa is bigger (1,700,014 vs 701,568). Kitchener has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($1,816 vs $1,757). Ottawa has higher median household income ($98,000 vs $92,000). Kitchener has milder winters, with January averaging (-6.5°C vs -10.3°C). Ottawa has longer commutes (23.8 min vs 22.2 min).
| Ottawa | Kitchener | |
|---|---|---|
| People | ||
| Population (latest est.) | 1,700,014 | 701,568 |
| Growth since 2021 | +10.4% | +16.5% |
| Median age | 40.4 | 38.0 |
| Immigrants | 21.4% | 25.8% |
| Speak English & French | 43.1% | 6.4% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64) | 43.7% | 35.4% |
| Money | ||
| Median household income | $98,000 | $92,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% | 7.6% |
| Inflation (CPI, 12 months) | +3.0% | — |
| Housing | ||
| Avg. 1-bedroom rent | $1,542 | $1,546 |
| Avg. 2-bedroom rent | $1,757 | $1,816 |
| Rent change, 5 years | +33.6% | +41.1% |
| Vacancy rate | 3.4% | 4.2% |
| Median home value | $548,000 | $700,000 |
| Homeowners | 65.4% | 64.6% |
| Spend 30%+ on housing | 18.4% | 22.0% |
| Getting around | ||
| Average commute | 23.8 min | 22.2 min |
| Take transit | 9.7% | 4.6% |
| Walk or bike | 7.2% | 4.2% |
| Safety | ||
| Crime Severity Index | 50.6 | 66.8 |
| Climate | ||
| January average | -10.3°C | -6.5°C |
| July daily high | 26.5°C | 26.2°C |
| Snow per year | 223 cm | 134 cm |
| Precipitation per year | 943 mm | 919 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
OttawaKitchener
Two-bedroom rent over time
OttawaKitchener