Estimate your monthly mortgage payment based on Ottawa home prices. Ottawa offers a stable housing market driven by the federal government, with prices significantly below Toronto. Its unique position on the Ontario-Quebec border also gives buyers the option to consider Gatineau for greater affordability.
The average home price in Ottawa is approximately $630,000. With 10% down ($63,000) and CMHC insurance, the total mortgage would be approximately $584,799. At a 4.25% interest rate over 25 years, the monthly mortgage payment would be $3,163.
5-year term summary:
25-year summary:
Ottawa mortgage payment examples
| Home Price | Down Payment | Mortgage + CMHC | Monthly at 4% | Monthly at 5% | Monthly at 6% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $35,000 | $324,870 | $1,712 | $1,898 | $2,091 |
| $450,000 | $45,000 | $417,825 | $2,202 | $2,441 | $2,690 |
| $550,000 | $55,000 | $510,225 | $2,689 | $2,980 | $3,285 |
| $630,000 | $63,000 | $584,799 | $3,082 | $3,416 | $3,765 |
| $750,000 | $100,000 | $670,215 | $3,532 | $3,914 | $4,313 |
| $900,000 | $115,000 | $809,350 | $4,265 | $4,728 | $5,210 |
Ottawa vs. Toronto: Why Ottawa is more affordable
| Factor | Ottawa | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Average home price | $630,000 | $1,065,000 |
| Land transfer tax | $9,075 | $32,950 (double LTT) |
| Property tax rate | 1.07% | 0.67% |
| Annual property tax ($630K) | $6,741 | N/A |
| Monthly mortgage (10% down, 4.25%) | $3,163 | $4,607* |
| Municipal LTT? | No | Yes |
Toronto requires 20% down on average home. Ottawa saves ~$40,000+ compared to Toronto on total first-year costs.
Ottawa vs. Gatineau: Cross-border comparison
Buyers in the National Capital Region have a unique option — purchasing in Gatineau, Quebec instead of Ottawa:
| Factor | Ottawa (Ontario) | Gatineau (Quebec) |
|---|---|---|
| Average home price | ~$630,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Land transfer tax | $9,075 (Ontario LTT) | $4,600 (welcome tax) |
| Property tax rate | 1.07% | 0.87% |
| Provincial income tax | Lower | Higher |
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 14.975% (GST+QST) |
| Health care | OHIP | RAMQ |
Key takeaway: Gatineau offers lower home prices and lower upfront costs, but higher ongoing provincial income taxes. The best choice depends on your income level and priorities. Many people live in Gatineau and work in Ottawa for the price advantage.
Ottawa land transfer tax
Ottawa is in Ontario, so the Ontario land transfer tax applies. Unlike Toronto, Ottawa does not charge a municipal land transfer tax.
| Home Price | Ontario LTT | First-Time Buyer Pays |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,475 | $475 |
| $500,000 | $6,475 | $2,475 |
| $630,000 | $9,075 | $5,075 |
| $750,000 | $11,475 | $7,475 |
Ottawa property taxes
Ottawa’s property tax rate is approximately 1.07% — higher than Toronto’s rate but on a much lower home value:
| Home Price | Annual Property Tax | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $4,280 | $357 |
| $550,000 | $5,885 | $490 |
| $630,000 | $6,741 | $562 |
| $750,000 | $8,025 | $669 |
Ottawa housing cost breakdown
| Cost Category | Typical Monthly Range |
|---|---|
| Mortgage payment (on average home) | $3,000 – $3,300 |
| Property taxes | $560 |
| Home insurance | $100 – $175 |
| Utilities & heating | $200 – $375 |
| Maintenance (1% of value/year) | $525 |
Total estimated monthly cost: $4,385 – $4,935
Ottawa-specific homebuyer considerations
- Government employment stability — Ottawa’s economy is anchored by the federal government, providing stable employment and consistent housing demand.
- Bilingual market — Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset in Ottawa’s job market and some neighbourhoods are predominantly francophone.
- Return-to-office impact — Federal government return-to-office policies have influenced demand in both Ottawa and Gatineau.
- No municipal LTT — Unlike Toronto, buying in Ottawa means paying provincial LTT only, saving $6,000–$15,000+ on equivalent purchases.
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA) — See the FHSA calculator.
Ottawa housing by area
- Centretown / Glebe / Westboro — Premium walkable neighbourhoods ($700,000–$1,000,000+).
- Kanata / Stittsville — Tech hub (Shopify, Nokia) with family-friendly pricing ($550,000–$700,000).
- Barrhaven / Riverside South — Growing suburban communities ($500,000–$650,000).
- Orleans — East-end community with bilingual character ($500,000–$650,000).
For the latest data, see the Ottawa housing market report.
Related calculators
- Ontario Land Transfer Tax Calculator — Calculate your Ontario LTT
- Ontario Mortgage Calculator — Provincial overview
- Toronto Mortgage Calculator — Compare with Toronto costs
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much house can you afford?
- Closing Costs Calculator — Estimate all purchase costs