February 2nd, 2025 | West Ottawa

Ottawa Vs Toronto: What’s Better for Your Family?

The debate over whether Ottawa or Toronto is better for families could go on forever. There is no doubt that they both offer a high quality of life. For families, issues like safety, community, and access to reputable schools are typically front of mind, and Ottawa and Toronto deliver.

Of course, it isn’t all business; anyone searching for a new home also wants to know how to keep busy and what there is to do for fun, and once again, both cities come through in great abundance. So how does family life compare between Ottawa and Toronto? In this post, two of Canada’s most popular cities duke it out to see which might be best suited for a family like yours.

Are you keeping an eye out for your next home in Ottawa? Our Buyer’s Guide can help you find and secure the perfect location. You can download your copy right here.

A World of Real Estate Options

We’ll start our side-by-side comparison with a few of the similarities between Ottawa and Toronto. Believe it or not, there are a few. For example, you have a wide range of housing options to choose from, as well as the chance to build equity and long-term purchasing power as real estate values rise over time.

Growing families starting out may opt for a condo or townhouse to get their foot in the door. After that, the chances to move up are practically endless. Detached and even semi-detached homes provide ample living space, the freedom to renovate and remodel, as well as more expansive backyards to relax and entertain in.

The availability of housing means different families will take different paths up the property ladder. You might start with a townhouse in Ottawa and eventually relocate to Toronto, or vice versa.

In other words, Ottawa and Toronto rank almost equally when it comes to varied housing structures. However, our exploration into the two cities has just begun.

Whether you’re downsizing, moving up to a bigger home, or searching for your first house, Ottawa has much to offer! Learn more in the posts below:

Picturesque and Safe Communities

When searching for a home for your family, safety is everything, and Ottawa and Toronto are among the safest cities in all of Canada. Knowing your loved ones are secure may be the foundation, but you also want a place that is full of natural beauty, with easy access to parks and playgrounds.

Andrew Haydon Park, the Experimental Farm and Strathcona Park are popular outdoor spaces in Ottawa for families of all ages. In addition, there is a large network of biking, walking and ski pathways waiting to be discovered. At Mer Bleue Bog, you can admire the incredible views of Ottawa’s wetlands and forests from a safe, dry boardwalk.

As one of Canada’s most well-established cities, even the streets themselves are lined with trees and greenery! If you want to expand your horizons, Gatineau Park spans two provinces (Ontario and Quebec). In addition, the Rideau Trail goes all the way from Ottawa to Kingston.

We also have to give it to Toronto when it comes to stunning scenery and parks. High Park alone spans almost 400 acres, and is the largest public park in the city. Other notable green spaces include Trinity Bellwoods Park and fun fact: Toronto and Ottawa both have a Confederation Park.

Do you want to get to know Ottawa’s neighbourhoods a little better? The posts below are a great place to start:

Access to Superb Schools

There is great news for parents of school-aged children whether you live in Ottawa or Toronto. Both are renowned far and wide for the abundance of highly ranked schools for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students.

Ottawa public schools fall under the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, while Catholic schools are overseen by Ottawa Catholic School Board. Toronto schools are under the umbrella of the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Fraser Rankings change often; however, many schools in both cities consistently outperform provincial averages when it comes to standardized tests. Upon graduation, residents have numerous options for college and university. Though Toronto has more institutions, keep in mind that the population is almost three times higher than Ottawa. This brings us to some of the differences between living in Ottawa versus Toronto, and here’s where we believe our home city really shines.

Population Density

If you appreciate a little peace and quiet every once in a while, Ottawa stands out front and centre. While there is a fantastic arts and entertainment scene, a smaller population also means less crowds, less traffic, and less noise.

To us, it’s the perfect blend of that big city excitement that many people are looking for, but with the chance to escape it all. As of the 2021 Census, the population in Toronto exceeds 2.7 million, whereas Ottawa is home to a little over 1 million residents. To further put that into perspective, remember that Ottawa takes up 2,790 square km compared to Toronto’s 641 square km. In other words, there is a lot more space with far fewer people occupying it. For those who prefer a little bit of breathing room, Ottawa is the clear choice.

Is a home purchase coming up for your family? The posts below will help bring you up to speed on Ottawa real estate:

Affordability

Speaking of clear choices, Ottawa also has the upper hand when it comes to an affordable lifestyle. While everyday expenses are similar, there is a significant difference in the cost of housing.

Prices fluctuate, but the price of a detached house in Toronto averages well over $1 million, which is significantly more than what you would pay in Ottawa. If you’re a young buyer trying to get your first step on the property ladder, Ottawa is a far more accessible market.

If you have some equity, you can still afford more house for your budget in Ottawa. For example, you might be able to buy a spacious, detached home with a backyard and driveway for the same amount you’d pay for a small Toronto condo. Whatever your financial background, there’s no question that each dollar goes further in Ottawa.

Do you want personalized guidance when searching for your new home? Our Ottawa real estate agents are here for you. Connect with us anytime at 613.829.7484 or email mail@chellteam.com with any questions.