Buying · Weekly Features

2026/06/16

The Big Reveal: How Much Does It Cost to Move to Ottawa?

What is the true cost of moving to Ottawa?

If you’re asking what you need to budget to move to our city, it’s a fair question. And it’s one you want to ask before you fall in love with a neighbourhood, a commute, or a home that stretches the budget more than expected.

The short answer: you don’t need to be rich to live here. But you do need to plan.

But compared to Toronto or Vancouver, your money generally goes further here. Compared to Montreal, the jump can feel more noticeable, especially if you’re renting or buying in one of Ottawa’s more central neighbourhoods.

Here’s the practical breakdown:

The upfront costs before you even unpack

If you’re renting

In Ontario, most landlords will ask for first and last month’s rent upfront.

For Ottawa, a rough 2026 range looks like this:

1-bedroom apartment: $1,900–$2,000
2-bedroom apartment: $2,400–$2,500

So before you even move in, you may need:

1-bedroom: about $3,800–$4,000 upfront
2-bedroom: about $4,800–$5,000 upfront

That does not include movers, furniture, internet setup, tenant insurance, parking, or pet-related costs if applicable.

A realistic all-in monthly number for a one-bedroom is usually closer to $2,100–$2,300/month once you include utilities and internet. For a two-bedroom, you’re often closer to $2,600–$2,800/month, depending on the building and what’s included.

If you’re buying in Ottawa

If you’re buying, the biggest thing to understand is that your down payment is not the only cash you need.

You’ll also want money set aside for:

Deposit
Home inspection
Lawyer fees
Land transfer tax
Title insurance and adjustments
Moving costs
Basic repairs or furniture
Emergency cushion

The deposit

In Ottawa, the deposit is usually due shortly after your offer is accepted.

A common range is 1–3% of the purchase price, though this depends on the property and the situation.

For example:

Purchase price: Approx. deposit range

$400,000: $4,000–$12,000
$525,000: $5,250–$15,750
$700,000: $7,000–$21,000

The deposit forms part of your down payment, but the key detail is this:

It needs to be liquid and ready to go.

You usually cannot wait two weeks to move money around after the offer is accepted.

Closing costs

A safe rule of thumb is to budget around 1.5–2% of the purchase price for closing costs, on top of your down payment.

On a $400,000 purchase, that means roughly $6,000–$8,000.

On a $525,000 purchase, think closer to $8,000–$10,500.

This can include:

Land transfer tax
Legal fees
Title insurance
Home inspection
Property tax adjustments
Utility adjustments
Miscellaneous admin costs

First-time buyers may qualify for an Ontario land transfer tax rebate, which can help reduce the amount due on closing. Your lawyer or mortgage broker can help confirm what applies to your situation.

What can you buy in Ottawa?

Ottawa’s entry-level market usually splits into a few main categories.

Condo apartments

You can still find some condo apartments in the mid-$300,000s to low-$400,000s, depending on the building, location, size, condition, and condo fees.

These can work well for someone who wants lower maintenance, a central location, or a lower purchase price.

The trade-off is usually the monthly condo fee.

Condo townhomes

Condo townhomes are often one of the more affordable ways to get more space in Ottawa.

A rough range is $375,000–$450,000, depending on the area and condition.

This can be a practical option for first-time buyers who want multiple bedrooms but are not quite ready for freehold pricing.

The main thing to watch is the condo fee, reserve fund, and what the condo corporation is responsible for.

Freehold townhomes

Freehold townhomes are often the next step up.

A realistic entry-level budget is usually around $500,000–$575,000, depending on the area, age, and condition.

You avoid monthly condo fees, but you are responsible for more of the maintenance yourself.

That means roof, windows, furnace, driveway, grading, exterior repairs — all of it.

Monthly ownership costs

Your mortgage payment is one part of the monthly cost, but by budgeting in advance for everything else, you can save yourself financial stress down the line. Preparedness is key.

Try and budget for (monthly):

Property tax: $350–$550
Utilities: $150–$300
Home insurance: $80–$150
Condo fees, if applicable: $300–$600+
Maintenance reserve: $150–$300

The ‘maintenance reserve’ matters. Even if nothing breaks this month, something will eventually. We would much rather see buyers budget realistically, than feel overburdened when something needs a fix down the line.

Moving costs

This is another category people tend to under-budget.

A local move within Ottawa may cost a few hundred dollars if you’re doing most of it yourself, or $1,000–$2,500+ with movers, depending on the size of the move.

If you’re coming from another city, especially Toronto, Montreal, or out of province, the moving cost can be much higher.

You may also need to budget for:

Temporary storage
Hotel stays
New furniture
Cleaning
Utility setup
Parking
Time off work
Pet boarding
Takeout during the move

So, is Ottawa affordable?

Compared to Toronto or Vancouver, yes — Ottawa can still feel like good value.

You can often get more space, a calmer pace, and access to solid neighbourhoods without completely giving up your financial breathing room.

Compared to Montreal, the adjustment is more noticeable. Rent and home prices are generally higher here, and that surprises some people.

But Ottawa has a strong job base, stable neighbourhoods, good schools, green space, and a quality of life that makes sense for a lot of people.

If you’re thinking about relocating to Ottawa and want to run the numbers for your own situation, I’m happy to walk through it with you.