Most affordable neighbourhoods in Ottawa
Strathcona Heights is Ottawa's most affordable neighbourhood, with median after-tax family income around $37,600. Centretown West and Billings Bridge follow, both under $43,000, though they also skew older, with typical ages of 71 and 64.
Citywide, the typical family income is much higher, about $111,000, and renters make up about 32% of Ottawa households. Roughly 18% of households spend 30% or more of income on housing, a figure worth comparing against any specific area before assuming it's cheap to live there.
Ottawa on this axis
The first bar is the headline ranking metric; the rest are related axes for context. Bars are the Ottawaaggregate's percentile rank vs Ontario's 20,000+ census areas.
Top neighbourhoods in Ottawa by median after-tax family income
| Neighbourhood | median after-tax family income | Median age |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Strathcona Heights · Ottawa | $37,600 | 56.4 |
| 2. Centretown West · Ottawa | $41,600 | 71.0 |
| 3. Alta Vista · Ottawa | $42,800 | 64.0 |
| 4. Carlington · Ottawa | $47,600 | 26.2 |
| 5. College · Ottawa | $48,800 | 21.8 |
| 6. Sandy Hill · Ottawa | $51,200 | 26.6 |
| 7. Redwood · Ottawa | $52,800 | 29.4 |
| 8. Debra Dynes · Ottawa | $53,200 | 22.2 |
| 9. Centretown · Ottawa | $54,400 | 43.6 |
| 10. Ledbury - Heron Gate - Ridgemont - Ellwood · Ottawa | $56,000 | 53.6 |
| 11. Lower Town · Ottawa | $56,400 | 29.4 |
| 12. Norberry Residences · Ottawa | $56,800 | 32.8 |
| 13. Rideau-Vanier · Ottawa | $57,200 | 41.2 |
| 14. Cairine Court · Ottawa | $57,600 | 31.8 |
| 15. Borden Farm - Stewart Farm - Parkwood Hills - Fisher Glen · Ottawa | $57,600 | 29.6 |
| 16. Saville Apartments · Ottawa | $58,000 | 72.0 |
| 17. Blackburn Hamlet · Ottawa | $58,400 | 30.6 |
| 18. Navaho Apartments · Ottawa | $58,800 | 26.8 |
| 19. Byward Market - Parliament Hill · Ottawa | $59,600 | 40.4 |
| 20. Eastwood Park · Ottawa | $60,400 | 31.2 |
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Common questions
What is the cheapest neighbourhood to live in Ottawa?
Strathcona Heights ranks lowest on income, with a median after-tax family income around $37,600. Centretown West and Billings Bridge are close behind, both under $43,000.
Where can I find affordable housing in Ottawa?
The most affordable areas cluster around Strathcona Heights, Centretown West, Billings Bridge, and Carlington. All report median after-tax family incomes under $48,000, well below the citywide figure of about $111,000.
What share of Ottawa households spend too much on housing?
About 18% of Ottawa households spend 30% or more of their income on housing. Renters make up roughly 32% of households citywide, so that housing-cost burden touches a meaningful share of the rental market too.
Are affordable Ottawa neighbourhoods older or younger?
It varies. Strathcona Heights and Centretown West both skew older, with typical ages of 56 and 71, while Carlington and College are much younger, with typical ages around 26 and 22.