Ottawa’s housing market sits in a middle ground between Toronto’s high prices and smaller Ontario cities. The nearby Gatineau side adds a unique cross-provincial dynamic.
Ottawa-Gatineau housing prices by property type
| Property Type | Ottawa | Gatineau | Ottawa-Gatineau Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| All types | $650,000 | $410,000 | $580,000 |
| Detached | $750,000 | $450,000 | $650,000 |
| Semi-detached | $580,000 | $380,000 | $520,000 |
| Townhouse/row | $500,000 | $350,000 | $460,000 |
| Condo apartment | $420,000 | $310,000 | $390,000 |
Sources: OREB, APCIQ, February 2026 data.
Income needed by property type (20% down)
Assumes 4.5% mortgage rate, 25-year amortization, $400/month property tax (Ottawa), minimal debt.
| Property Type | Price | Mortgage (80%) | Monthly Payment | Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa detached | $750,000 | $600,000 | $3,300 | ~$143,000 |
| Ottawa semi-detached | $580,000 | $464,000 | $2,552 | ~$114,000 |
| Ottawa townhouse | $500,000 | $400,000 | $2,200 | ~$100,000 |
| Ottawa condo | $420,000 | $336,000 | $1,848 | ~$93,000* |
| Gatineau detached | $450,000 | $360,000 | $1,980 | ~$92,000 |
| Gatineau townhouse | $350,000 | $280,000 | $1,540 | ~$75,000 |
| Gatineau condo | $310,000 | $248,000 | $1,364 | ~$68,000* |
Condo estimates include $500/month condo fees in GDS calculation.
Income needed by Ottawa neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood / Area | Average Home Price | Income Needed (20% Down) |
|---|---|---|
| Westboro / Hintonburg | $800,000 | ~$155,000 |
| Glebe / Old Ottawa South | $900,000 | ~$171,000 |
| Centretown | $550,000 (condo-heavy) | ~$120,000* |
| Sandy Hill / Lowertown | $650,000 | ~$132,000 |
| Barrhaven | $620,000 | ~$128,000 |
| Kanata | $680,000 | ~$137,000 |
| Orléans | $600,000 | ~$124,000 |
| Stittsville | $650,000 | ~$132,000 |
| Riverside South | $600,000 | ~$124,000 |
| Manotick | $750,000 | ~$148,000 |
| Gatineau (Hull sector) | $400,000 | ~$88,000 |
| Gatineau (Aylmer) | $480,000 | ~$103,000 |
| Gatineau (Plateau) | $420,000 | ~$94,000 |
Centretown estimate reflects condo-heavy mix with strata fees.
Ottawa vs Gatineau: the full comparison
| Factor | Ottawa (Ontario) | Gatineau (Quebec) |
|---|---|---|
| Average home price | $650,000 | $410,000 |
| Income needed (average) | ~$130,000 | ~$87,000 |
| Land transfer tax | Ontario LTT (~$8,475 on $600K) | Quebec welcome tax (~$5,500 on $400K) |
| First-time buyer rebate | Up to $4,000 (Ontario LTT) | Varies by municipality |
| Provincial income tax (on $100K) | ~$6,900 | ~$11,700 |
| Property taxes (on $500K assessed) | ~$6,000/year | ~$5,000/year |
| Language | English primarily | French primarily (bilingual services available) |
| Health care | OHIP | RAMQ |
The trade-off: Gatineau homes cost 30–40% less, but Quebec income taxes are significantly higher. For a household earning $150,000, the annual tax difference is roughly $7,000–$10,000 more in Quebec. Over time, the home price savings usually outweigh the tax difference, but it depends on income level and how long you stay.
Impact of down payment size
Using the Ottawa average of $650,000:
| Down Payment | Amount | Mortgage | CMHC Premium | Monthly Payment | Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $32,500 | $617,500 + $24,700 | $24,700 | $3,532 | ~$151,000 |
| 10% | $65,000 | $585,000 + $18,135 | $18,135 | $3,317 | ~$142,000 |
| 20% | $130,000 | $520,000 | $0 | $2,860 | ~$126,000 |
Strategies for buying in Ottawa-Gatineau
| Strategy | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Cross the river to Gatineau | Save 30–40% on home price; especially effective for federal employees with no salary differential |
| Target Orléans or Barrhaven | Suburban prices 10–20% below inner Ottawa with good transit (LRT expansion) |
| Start with a condo | Ottawa condos at $350,000–$420,000 need $85,000–$100,000 income |
| Use FHSA + HBP | Up to $100,000+ per person in tax-advantaged down payment funds |
| Consider a semi or townhouse | Often $150,000–$200,000 cheaper than detached with similar space |
| Look at new construction in Riverside South | Growing suburb with competitive pricing |