Your 2026 Guide to Living, Working and Buying a Home in Canada’s Capital
Presented by The Toscano Team
RE/MAX Delta Realty Team
Moving to a new city is about much more than finding a house.
You need to understand how the city works, what daily life costs, where the right neighbourhoods are, how long your commute will be and whether the lifestyle truly fits you and your family.
Ottawa offers a rare combination: national-capital amenities, established neighbourhoods, growing suburban communities, employment stability, bilingual culture and easy access to nature. It is a large city geographically, but many neighbourhoods retain a comfortable, community-oriented feel.
The Toscano Team has served the Ottawa real estate market since 1991. Its experience includes local residential sales, corporate relocations and military moves. Team members are registered with Brookfield Relocation, and Angelo Toscano’s own military background provides additional insight into the challenges families face during a posting or long-distanc
This guide will help you understand what relocating to Ottawa really involves—and how to make confident decisions before the moving truck arrives.
Ottawa at a Glance
|
Ottawa fact |
2026 relocation snapshot |
|
Estimated city population at year-end 2025 |
1,116,170 |
|
Approximate municipal area |
2,800 square kilometres |
|
June 2026 average residential sale price |
$733,648 |
|
June 2026 median residential sale price |
$655,000 |
|
MLS® composite benchmark price |
$632,200 |
|
Single-family benchmark price |
$720,000 |
|
Townhouse benchmark price |
$550,700 |
|
Apartment benchmark price |
$384,500 |
|
Average purpose-built two-bedroom rent |
$1,926 |
|
Adult OC Transpo monthly pass |
$138.50 |
Click the links below to review more information.
Is Ottawa Right for You?
Understanding Ottawa
Where to Live in Ottawa
The Ottawa Housing Market
Making the Move
Living in Ottawa
Ottawa Relocation Resources
Ottawa Relocation FAQs
A note about the housing data: Ottawa market statistics in this guide primarily use information from the Ottawa Real Estate Board, CREA, CMHC and current local listing activity. Citywide averages help identify trends, but they should never be used to value a particular property without reviewing recent comparable sales in its immediate neighbourhood.