Ottawa Vs Montreal: Where Should Your Next Move Be?

| Homeowners

Often when people relocate, the choice comes down to two cities. When you’re talking about Ottawa and Montreal, making the decision is no easy task. Should you opt for the high quality of life here in the nation’s capital, or discover all that Quebec’s most lively metropolis has to offer?

Both of these vibrant cities, which are less than a three-hour drive apart, have so much to offer. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider all relevant factors before making a decision. Here, we’ll look at some of the basic facts you should keep in mind.

 

The Basics of Living in Ottawa vs Montreal

Ottawa

  • Population: 934,243
  • Average Age: 40.1
  • Median Income: $41,857
  • Ranked 2017’s #1 Best Place to Live in Canada by MoneySense 
  • Official Languages (Knowledge Of):
    • English Only: 549,395
    • French Only: 12,680
    • English and French: 347,510

Montreal

  • Population: 1,704,694
  • Average Age: 40.3
  • Median Income: $28,321
  • Ranked 2017’s #12th Most Livable City In The World by the Economist Intelligence Unit
  • Official Languages (Knowledge Of):
    • French Only: 503,105
    • English Only: 170,490
    • French and English: 965,480

Takeaway: Ottawa has a high median income, and its reigning position as Canada’s Best Place to Live is hard to compete with. But don’t forget: the language you’re most comfortable speaking in is an important consideration!

 

Real Estate Prices

Ottawa (March 2018)

  • Detached House: $447,561
  • Condo: $275,592

Montreal (March 2018)

  • Detached House: $314,900
  • Condo: $240,00

Takeaway: The real estate markets in both Ottawa and Montreal are reasonable—especially compared to cities like Toronto and Vancouver. Prices are higher in Ottawa, but it’s important to remember that the median income is also significantly higher in the city. Translation: generally speaking, Ottawans put less of their money towards owning their homes.

It’s also worth noting that averages are just that—averages. The price you’re looking at will depend largely on the area you’re looking in. Case in point: For the first quarter of 2018, detached houses in central Montreal are $686,253 on average.

 

Transit

Ottawa

Public Transportation Services:

Monthly Transit Pass: $116.50

Adult Cash Fare: $3.50

Adult Presto Fare: $3.45

 

Montreal

Public Transportation Services:

Adult Monthly Transit Pass: $83

Adult Cash Fare: $3.25

Takeaway: Montreal is known for its inexpensive transit, but getting around Ottawa is pretty affordable too. Plus, we Ottawa locals are pretty excited about the LRT system, which is set to be completed later this year.

 

Major Attractions and Amenities

Ottawa

  • Parliament Hill
  • Rideau Canal
  • Canadian Museum of History
  • National Gallery of Canada
  • Canadian War Museum
  • Canadian Tire Centre
  • Top Universities and Colleges: University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and Algonquin College
  • Very cyclist friendly city

 

Montreal

  • Mount Royal
  • Montreal Botanical Garden
  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
  • Parc Jean Drapeau
  • The Biodome
  • Old Montreal
  • Top Universities and Colleges: McGill, Concordia University, Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Polytechnique Montréal

Takeaway:

Montreal is an exciting city known for its culture, nightlife, and art scenes. A vibrant metropolis blessed with a number of great attractions, the city is especially appealing to students. That said, Ottawa also has a large number of students, and many of them choose to settle down in the city to enjoy its historical charm, abundant career opportunities, and high quality of life. Ottawa is also rich in culture and amenities—from the renowned theatre at the National Arts Council (NAC) to the bustling shops and restaurants of the Byward Market.

 

The Bottom Line

Are you considering the pros and cons of living in Ottawa vs Montreal? As Ottawans, it’s hard for us to be completely objective. But given how close the two cities are to one another, it should be relatively easy to explore them both and make a comparison.

We’d also like to help you learn a little bit more about the types of homes available in our fair city. Check out the following resources:

 

If you need a hand looking for homes in Ottawa, we’d love to help. Get started by calling us at 613.590.3036, or schedule a meeting.