Ottawa logs 147 frost days a year to Victoria's 3 — Victoria wins by 144. Ottawa also leads on outdoor-dinner months by 2.

Ottawa runs about $2,521/mo for a balanced lifestyle against Victoria's $2,769/mo — Ottawa comes in $248 cheaper each month, roughly 10% less.

On mobility, Ottawa scores 3.2 vs Victoria's 3.0 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on flight connectivity. Victoria still holds an edge on walkability.

Ottawa's culture score of 3.8 sits well above Victoria's 3.4, with the biggest gap on arts & culture.

Ottawa and Victoria score neck-and-neck on nature & outdoors (4.7 vs 4.7, 0–5 scale).

Victoria's safety score is ~1.2× Ottawa's — in the upper band, while Ottawa lands in the upper band, with the biggest gap on flooding safety. Ottawa still holds an edge on earthquake safety.

Ottawa's career score of 3.8 sits well above Victoria's 2.3, with the biggest gap on coworking infrastructure.

Ottawa's social & community score is ~1.2× Victoria's — in the upper band, while Victoria lands in the middle of the scale, with the biggest gap on multicultural mix.

On food & dining, Ottawa scores 3.6 vs Victoria's 3.4 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on food delivery. Victoria still holds an edge on vegan & vegetarian options.

On family, Ottawa scores 3.5 vs Victoria's 2.9 (0–5 scale), with the biggest gap on international schools.

Ottawa and Victoria score neck-and-neck on healthcare (2.0 vs 2.0, 0–5 scale).

Ottawa averages 6.6 µg/m³ (good) PM2.5 annually versus Victoria's 5.2 µg/m³ (good) — Victoria breathes ~21% cleaner air (1.4 µg/m³ lower).

Who Thrives Here