A City Designed for Life and Work
Yes, you can have both. Ottawa ranks #1 for quality of life in North America. This is a city where people commute by bike, boat—or even skate. Where weekends mean markets, museums, and 1,000+ parks to choose from. And if you’re wondering what happens after dark… Canada’s first Night Mayor makes sure the city never sleeps.
Right Place, Right Pace
Easy like a Sunday morning, Ottawa is built in a way that makes everyday life feel… liveable.
It feels different here. You earn well. You get around easily. You’re never far from where you need to be—or where you actually want to be. The city is big enough to make things happen, and small enough to know the people who make them happen.
Top 30 globally for quality of life (and the only non-European city on the list)
Silver-level walk-friendly city designation
Highest median employment income among major Canadian metros
Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community award
Arts and Culture
From Parliament to Patios, and from Oh! to Ah!
We Don’t Do Boring. 100+ festivals. Late patios. Packed markets. Neighbourhoods that don’t sit still. One night it’s live music. The next it’s a food festival. The next, you’re skating under the stars.
Yes, there are 60+ national museums and historic landmarks. But it’s the 100’s of restaurants, pop-ups, and local spots that keep the city moving—long after work is done.
A More Accessible Cost of Living
Ottawa offers a more affordable lifestyle than many major cities in North America. Residents benefit from competitive housing prices, accessible transportation options, and a cost structure that supports long-term living.
| Vancouver | Toronto | Ottawa | |
| Avg Home Price | $1,275,672 | $1,067,186 | $619,708 |
| Median Salaries | $58,800 | $59,800 | $62,100 |
| 1-Bdrm Rent | $2,420/mo | $2,500/mo | $1,990mo |
| Utilities | $280/mo | $268/mo | $187/mo |
| Dining/Entertainment | $800 | $788 | $602 |
| Groceries / Food | $550pp/mo | $600pp/mo | $450pp/mo |
| Total (renter / mo) | $4,500 | $4,156 | $3,229 |
Health Care
You’re in Good Hands
From massage therapists to family doctors, access to quality healthcare is part of everyday life in Ottawa.
With a higher-than-average doctor-to-patient ratio and a strong network of hospitals, clinics, and specialists, the city is built to support both routine care and more complex needs.
More than 5% of Ottawa’s workforce is made up of healthcare professionals—people who keep the system running and the community well.
It’s one of those things you don’t think about every day. But it’s good to know it’s there when you need it.
- 6 major hospitals with 13 campuses
- Regional hub for Eastern Ontario healthcare
- 68% of Ottawa residents enjoy physical activity (10% higher than national average)
- 88% of residents have a regular family doctor (6% higher than national average)
Outdoor Recreation
Canada’s Most Canadian City
If you tried to design the quintessential “Canadian lifestyle,” it would probably look a lot like this.
Rivers through the city. Trails that actually connect. Parks everywhere. Summers on the water, falls in the woods, winters on the ice. You can bike to work, paddle after it, and skate home a few months later.
With over 4,300 hectares of green space, 800+km of cycling and multi-use trails, 4 public beaches in the city limits, and a canal that becomes the world’s largest skating rink, the outdoors isn’t something you plan for here—it’s where you live.
Diversity and Belonging
Come as you are, you’ll fit right in
With 130+ international embassies in our backyard, “local” means something different here.
Ottawa is a city shaped by diverse people from everywhere—and it shows. Hosting Canada’s first LGBTQ+ demonstration in 1971, the city now hosts one of Canada’s largest Pride festivals in August and another one in February. Home to the third fastest-growing urban Indigenous population in Canada, a place where nearly one in three residents are visible minorities and 21.4% of residents are from away. More than a third of the city is bilingual.
Canada’s Most Educated City
Built on Brains
Kids are smarter here. Elementary and High School students in Ottawa score 10% higher for math than the rest of Ontario students and 4% for reading. Our schools are smart too, with 33% of schools being eco-certified.
With four public post-secondary institutions and one of the most educated workforces in the country – there’s options. Not a bad place to raise your future problem-solver.
Crime and Safety
Safe and Sound in the Capital
- Lowest rate of violent crime among Canada’s six largest cities for the last 10 years
- Lowest rate of drug violations among Canada’s six largest cities
- Ranked among Canada’s safest cities (2025)
Connect
Want Support with Your Move to Ottawa
If you or your team are considering relocating, we can help guide you to the right resources and community connections.
