One might think that there isn’t much difference between two of the most important cities in Ontario, but, the truth is, living in Toronto offers a different experience from living in the nation’s capital.
Each city has its own atmosphere with varied neighbourhood settings, as well as differences in pricing. Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, is a hub for political activity while Toronto has a thriving financial district. But that’s not to say that’s all they have. These major cities have much to offer! And we offer moving services to both locations!
Comparing City Living in Ottawa and Toronto
Ottawa is located on the Ottawa River with Parliament Hill proudly overlooking the southern bank. Because the National Capital Region includes Ottawa’s neighbour, Gatineau, Quebec, the city culture embraces bilingualism. Since Ottawa is a government town, it’s economically stable, with a wide variety of government jobs available.
Residents can enjoy 4,300 hectares of parkland at over 1,300 sites, demonstrating that Ottawa has more green spaces in comparison to Toronto. Transportation in Ottawa includes an international airport, two train stations, a major bus terminal, and the light rail transit line called O-Train that traverses the main core of the city.
There are some theatres, museums, and art galleries to visit, such as the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History. Ottawa West neighbourhoods are still abuzz with the urban vibe. However, Toronto has a higher volume of these types of amenities. You will find the Rideau Canal full of ice-skaters in the winter time and tourists enjoying boat rides during the summer.
Toronto is a large city, deemed Canada’s financial and commercial centre. There are several modes of transportation, such as streetcars, bus lines, and the subway that connects to the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Whether you’re in a residential or urban neighbourhood, Toronto boasts over 1,500 parks that offer various features, including playgrounds, dog parks, baseball and track fields, as well as tennis courts. With more action than Ottawa, Toronto is the hub for many festivals during the year with a thriving cosmopolitan ambience every day.
The local purchasing power is 1.71% higher in Ottawa than in Toronto despite Toronto offering higher salaries. Restaurant prices are lower in Ottawa, but grocery prices are about the same in both places.
Downtown Core
Ottawa’s downtown still has a rush hour, but the traffic pales in comparison to the Greater Toronto Area. You will see in particular on the 401 that goes through the area. Compared to Toronto, restaurants, clubs and nightlife in Ottawa’s downtown core is in short supply.
Between the two cities, downtown Toronto offers the greater number and variety of restaurants, clubs, theatres, and fashion boutiques. Head over to the Harbourfront and try out some paddleboarding while drinking in the city’s picturesque skyline with the iconic CN Tower standing tall. There are dozens of historical areas, including the Distillery District that transform into a European Christmas market for the holidays that is reminiscent of a Dickens’ novel.
Average Real Estate Prices in Ottawa vs Toronto
According to the December 2021 stats, housing prices in Ottawa are lower than in Toronto.
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Ottawa’s average price for single-family homes is currently $709,980 with condos at $399,125. Toronto’s stats separate detached and semi-detached home prices and include townhouses as well as condos:
- Detached single-family homes: $1,598,735
- Semi-detached single-family homes: $1,181,046
- Townhouses: $1,136,657
- Condos: $711,933
Buying a house is an investment, so renting may be the better option for you at this time of your life.
Average Rent Living in Ottawa vs. Toronto
The average prices of houses may be lower in Ottawa, but the average rents are close to those of Toronto. If you’re not ready to settle down in a house, there are plenty of renting opportunities. For example, the average rent of a 1-bedroom apartment in the Byward Market (Central Ottawa) is currently $1,665. In The Annex (Central Toronto), the average rent of a 1-bedroom apartment is set at $1,900.
If you’d rather be in a quieter location outside of Ottawa’s city centre, there’s Bayshore with an average rent of $1,715 or North Gower with $1,544 for a 1-bedroom apartment. Heading outside of Toronto’s city centre are high rents with Smithfield at an average of $1,775 and Scarborough Village at an average of $1,760 for a 1-bedroom apartment.
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Higher Education
If you’re looking to study in a great city, Ottawa and Toronto offer some big name colleges and universities:
- Carleton University: It is located beside Rideau Canal with a campus near Dow’s Lake. It offers the convenience of government institutions, libraries, and media. The university is known for its advancements in fields of journalism, public affairs, international affairs, architecture, and high technology.
- Algonquin College: Algonquin College is reputed for being one of Canada’s largest colleges. Its Ottawa campus location is in Nepean with other campuses in Perth and Pembrooke. Students can also apply for online courses. It has incorporated Mobile Learning Technologies into 90% of its programs.
- Ryerson University: Located in Downtown Yonge, Ryerson University is dedicated to its students, improving its campuses and services with state-of-the-art designs and technology; its award-winning Student Learning Centre is just one example. The university has the largest undergraduate English business school in Canada: The Ted Rogers School of Management.
- University of Toronto: The U of T was ranked 1st in Canada for its academic research performance in the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report. As a top school in the city, the U of T has high standards for academic excellence, making it highly competitive. It has its St. George campus not far from Ryerson University. Its other campuses are located in Mississauga and Scarborough.
Move to the Nation’s Capital or Toronto with Focus Moving
With each city’s highlights in mind, which one appeals to you?
Wherever you choose to go, let Focus Moving handle the stress of packing, storing, and transporting your belongings. Whether you’re leaving Europe or changing provinces, Focus Moving is experienced with domestic, national, cross-border, and overseas moves.
Contact us today!
