Toronto vs Ottawa: Which One Is Better?
For people who want to move to Canada or just visit this country as a tourist, there is a debate between Toronto vs Ottawa. Well, of course the debate can be between Toronto and any other city but in this article, we want to compare two main cities, the capital of Canada and the most important hub in the country.
Toronto or Ottawa, which one to choose for a living? Which one to choose for studying? Which one to visit? Both of these fantastic cities have a lot to offer to their present and potential citizens. Toronto is the capital of the province, and Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
Choosing between these cities depends on your circumstances and life goals. To assist you in selecting the best city, we have compared the two in this post.
Population: Which City is More Crowded? Toronto or Ottawa?
Toronto vs Ottawa’s population is in two different states. Of the two, Toronto is the larger city. Currently, more than 2 million people are living in Toronto, and around 6.4 million people living in the Greater Toronto Area. This number will be around 6.5 till the next year.
On the other hand, the population of the Ottawa–Gatineau metro region is about 1.5 million whereas Ottawa has a little less than 1 million residents.
Generally, Toronto is mostly considered by immigrants as the stats show that almost half of the citizens are not English or French speakers. This shows how multicultural this city is, which is an interesting aspect of this city.
According to Worldpopulationreview, Toronto may have around 7 million residents by 2035 which is a huge growth. Therefore, if you are a fan of quiet and smaller cities, the winner of Toronto vs Ottawa is Ottawa.
Ottawa vs Toronto Weather
The weather in Toronto is impacted by its location on Lake Ontario. Its summers are cooler and its winters are milder than other cities in the area. Because of the lakefront location, the summers are extremely humid, which some people may find uncomfortable.
Even though it’s one of the mildest winter towns in Canada, there is still snow on the ground. Toronto occasionally experiences summertime fog, which is brought on by industrial facilities and manufacturers around the Great Lakes.
Ottawa weather differs from Toronto for two reasons: It’s not a lakeside city, and it’s farther north. Winters become colder and summer temperatures rise as a result.
There is snow in Ottawa throughout the winter for roughly 120 days out of the year. In addition, there is more snow in Ottawa than in Toronto. July is also the month that Ottawa has its highest temperatures.
The Cost of Living Ottawa vs Toronto
Both cities are among the most livable cities in Toronto. However, if you want to choose one of them for living, the life expenses will have an important role.
The cost of living in Toronto can be very different from Ottawa in many areas. Here we should split the costings of Ottawa vs Toronto into multiple segmentations so you can follow more easily:
Housing:
According to Crea, in November 2023, the average price of a home in Toronto was $1,082,179. In Ottawa, the average monthly cost of a house was only $633,138. Consequently, the typical home in Toronto and the average home in Ottawa differ by about half a million dollars.
Ottawa offers even more affordable rental options if you’re looking. In Ottawa, the average rent of an ordinary apartment with a bedroom in the city center is $1,703.19, whereas in Toronto, it is $2,263.94.
In Ottawa, the cost of a three-bedroom apartment in the neighborhoods near the center is $2,624.23, whereas in Toronto, it is $3,576.47. On the other hand, there can be some well-priced studio apartments in Toronto’s downtown area that offer a wide range of living amenities and facilities. All you need is a little bit of research.
Groceries and Transportation:
Toronto vs Ottawa’s groceries and transportation situation can be very different. Compared to Torontonians, Ottawa residents spend more on utilities like garbage collection, heating, water, and electricity.
For an 85 m² apartment, the average monthly utility bill in Toronto is almost $209.91, while in Ottawa it is around $260.39. Additionally, Toronto’s average monthly internet cost is $75.89, which is less than Ottawa’s $89.15 monthly cost.
Additionally, in Toronto, the cost of using public transportation is higher; a one-way trip costs $3.25, and a monthly pass without discounts costs $156.45. These costs are $3.70 and $122.50 in Ottawa.
There aren’t many appreciable price variations in Toronto when it comes to food; yet, some foods are more costly than others.
Meanwhile, these costs should be considered if you want to move to Toronto or choose Ottawa for living.
Employment Opportunities and Wages
Are you wandering which one of these cities is better for working or running a business: Toronto or Ottawa?
Well, there are plenty of job options in both places. However, Toronto’s jobless rate is greater. In November 2023, Toronto’s unemployment rate stood at 6.1%, higher than the national rate of 5.8%. And this number for Ottawa was around 4.7%. Meanwhile, if you know how to find a job in Toronto, you won’t have much problem living in this city.
With more than 110,000 workers, the federal government is the largest employer in Ottawa. This also applies to those who are employed by the National Defense Headquarters. Opportunities exist in the tourist, healthcare, and high-tech industries in addition to government jobs.
In Ottawa, there are more than 70,000 high-tech occupations. The majority of the businesses that hire have a focus on environmental technologies, software development, and telecommunications.
On the other hand, Toronto is a global hub for commerce, banking, the arts, and culture. It boasts one of the highest concentrations of corporate headquarters and financial services in North America, with five of the biggest banks in Canada based there.
In addition to the financial industry, other thriving businesses include life sciences, technology, tourism, fashion and design, and the film and television sectors. Therefore, consider these industries if you decide to start a business in Ontario province.
Here is a table of average wages for Toronto vs Ottawa for different jobs:
If you want to work in any city in Canada, the list of the highest paying jobs in Canada can help you choose better a better job.
Education
In Canada, there are excellent schools in every city, thanks to a great educational system. Everyone in Canada is entitled to free primary and secondary education, and the nation consistently ranks highly when compared to other nations.
Both cities have a variety of private schools in addition to free elementary and secondary education.
Since Toronto is a larger city, more opportunities can be found for post-secondary education. Furthermore, Toronto has 22 universities and colleges, compared to Ottawa’s 13. Toronto also offers more varied educational options due to the city’s increased number of universities.
Some of the top schools and institutions in Toronto are Centennial College, York University, and The University of Toronto. On the other hand, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, and La Cité College are located in Ottawa, and are still among the top educational institutions in Canada.
The list of best universities in Canada can help you choose between Ottawa vs Toronto in case of studying.
Entertainment: Which City is Better for Tourists? Toronto or Ottawa?
When discussing Toronto vs Ottawa, it’s impossible not to mention entertainment. One benefit of being a larger city is that Toronto offers more entertainment options. Toronto attractions are well-known around the world, including the Royal Ontario museum, which is among the top museums in Toronto.
Any traveling music tours, such as Stars on Ice, Disney on Ice, music festivals, and concerts by internationally renowned bands and singers will almost certainly stop in Toronto.
Many of these events are held at the Budweiser Stage during the summer or at the Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto, which is close to the CN Tower. You may see some of your favorite musicians, authors, athletes, entertainers, and other stars while grabbing a bite to eat in the area.
Meanwhile, when it comes to tourism, Toronto has more options, even the Toronto neighbourhoods are tourist attractions. You can enjoy Toronto in winter when Nathan Philips Square turns into an ice skating area or have a unique experience attending Toronto summer festivals.
Overall, if you are a tourist to Canada, you should not miss visiting Toronto.
Conclusion
If you ever wanted to go from Toronto to Ottawa or the other way, you need some information about all the aspects of life in those cities. Our goal in this article was to provide you with this information and make you ready for your decision. Make sure to compare Ottawa vs Toronto in the right way and make the best choice.
FAQs
Toronto vs Ottawa. This kind of comparison usually raises some questions in people’s minds and we are here to answer each one of them:
1. What Does Toronto Have That Ottawa Doesn’t?
On one hand, Ottawa consists of galleries, museums, and cultural attractions with the peace and quiet of a small town. On the other hand, Toronto is well known for its top-notch dining scene, exciting nightlife, and significant role on the global stage. Both have their strong and weak point as well. It is more about personal preference and situation.
2. Why Is Ottawa the Capital Instead of Toronto?
Queen Victoria decided to make Ottawa the capital because of its strategic location as well as its proximity to the borders of Ontario and Quebec, which at the time was the center of Canada. It was also safer from attacks because it was far from the American border.
3. Is Ottawa Cheaper Than Toronto?
In general Yes. Toronto is a metropolis and naturally, prices are much higher there except in some cases such as groceries that are near each other. Ottawa on the other hand, is the capital of Canada and is center of the political matters.
