Cost of Living in Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa is a city in Canada, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,820 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,469 per month, or $1,244 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 256 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Ottawa scores 83/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter highs around 28°F, with roughly 168 sunny days a year.
Ottawa Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Ottawa
How Ottawa Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Ottawa ranks in the top 1% for healthcare.
| Metric | Ottawa | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,820 | #198 of 340 | #6 of 80 |
| Safety | 83/100 | #34 of 340 | #5 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 93/100 | #2 of 340 | #2 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 256 Mbps | #88 of 340 | #55 of 80 |
| Walkability | 65/100 | #123 of 340 | #18 of 80 |
| Public transit | 62/100 | #86 of 340 | #10 of 80 |
| Food scene | 72/100 | #178 of 340 | #45 of 80 |
| Air quality | 84/100 | #137 of 340 | #30 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Ottawa FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Ottawa?
A single person should budget around $1,820 per month in Ottawa, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Ottawa?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Ottawa averages $1,469 per month, dropping to about $1,244 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,320.
Is Ottawa safe?
Ottawa scores 83/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.
How fast is the internet in Ottawa?
Median download speeds in Ottawa are around 256 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 35 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Canada offer a digital nomad visa?
Canada does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 180 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Ottawa?
Ottawa sees summer highs around 79°F and winter highs near 28°F, with about 168 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 109 days.
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