City vs city

Ottawa vs Québec

Ottawa is bigger (1,700,014 vs 903,607). Ottawa has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($1,757 vs $1,276). Ottawa has higher median household income ($98,000 vs $76,500). Ottawa has milder winters, with January averaging (-10.3°C vs -12.0°C). Ottawa has longer commutes (23.8 min vs 20.1 min).

OttawaQuébec
People
Population (latest est.)1,700,014903,607
Growth since 2021+10.4%+7.0%
Median age40.443.2
Immigrants21.4%6.7%
Speak English & French43.1%41.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64)43.7%33.8%
Money
Median household income$98,000$76,500
Unemployment rate7.9%4.3%
Inflation (CPI, 12 months)+3.0%+3.3%
Housing
Avg. 1-bedroom rent$1,542$1,107
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$1,757$1,276
Rent change, 5 years+33.6%+41.8%
Vacancy rate3.4%2.6%
Median home value$548,000$300,000
Homeowners65.4%58.3%
Spend 30%+ on housing18.4%14.3%
Getting around
Average commute23.8 min20.1 min
Take transit9.7%7.8%
Walk or bike7.2%7.2%
Safety
Crime Severity Index50.655.0
Climate
January average-10.3°C-12.0°C
July daily high26.5°C24.6°C
Snow per year223 cm275 cm
Precipitation per year943 mm1,179 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

-16°-6°5°15°25°JanMarMayJulSep
OttawaQuébec

Two-bedroom rent over time

$672$972$1,272$1,573$1,87320152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
OttawaQuébec