Ottawa vs Chicago: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Ottawa vs Chicago: Ottawa runs about $2,700/mo all-in vs $3,080/mo in Chicago — Ottawa is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate…
Ottawa is the cheaper base — roughly $380/mo less all-in, Ottawa scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Ottawa is about $380/mo cheaper — $2,700/mo all-in vs $3,080/mo in Chicago (one person).
- Rent: similar in both — around $1,700/mo in Ottawa and $1,700/mo in Chicago.
- Safety: Ottawa rates higher (84/100 for Ottawa vs 60/100 for Chicago).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (90/100 vs 92/100).
- Climate: comparable year-round (46/100 vs 50/100).
- Visa: easier to move to Ottawa — Ottawa's process is rated Moderate, Chicago's Hard.
- Families: Ottawa rates safer for family life (86/100 vs 65/100 family safety).
- Local salaries: higher in Chicago (~$4,200/mo vs ~$3,800/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Work-life balance: better rated in Ottawa (74/100 vs 60/100).
Frequently asked questions
Is Ottawa or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Ottawa costs about $2,700/month all-in for one person; Chicago costs about $3,080/month. That makes Ottawa roughly $380/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Ottawa than Chicago?
About $380/month for a single person — $2,700/mo in Ottawa vs $3,080/mo in Chicago, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Ottawa or Chicago?
Ottawa scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (84/100 for Ottawa vs 60/100 for Chicago). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Ottawa or Chicago?
For connectivity, both are solid (90/100 vs 92/100). On climate, they're comparable (46/100 vs 50/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Ottawa or Chicago?
Ottawa's visa process is rated Moderate (about 12 weeks); Chicago's is rated Hard (about 16 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Ottawa and Chicago for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.