Food Affordability in Ottawa 2025

<p>More information is available on Ottawa Public Health's <a target='_blank' href='https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/food-insecurity.aspx' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>food insecurity webpage</a>.</p><p><strong>Accuracy:</strong></p><p>Food affordability monitoring is done in accordance with the Monitoring Food Affordability Reference Document, 2018 and a standardized protocol developed by Public Health Ontario and Ontario Dietitians in Public Health.</p><p>The affordability of food in Ottawa is determined by comparing the local cost of a Nutritious Food Basket and average rent prices with different individual and family income levels. &nbsp;Prices from 61 food items are collected from a representative sample of full-selection grocery stores as part of the Nutritious Food Basket survey. &nbsp;</p><p>Local rental rates are obtained from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Rentals.ca. &nbsp;CMHC data provides the average rent currently paid by tenants for purpose-built rental apartments and townhouses, as well as units in both primary and secondary markets, including basement apartments, condominiums, semi-detached and single-family houses. The Rentals.ca data are based on the asking rates of vacant units only, providing insight into current rental market trends.</p><p><br /><strong>Update Frequency:</strong> Annual</p><p><strong>Attributes:</strong><br />Refer to the references found in <a target='_blank' href='https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/professionals-and-partners/resources/2025-Income-Scenarios---CMHC-Housing-Data---EN-updated.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Document 1 (2025 Income Scenarios using CMHC Housing Cost Data)</a> and <a target='_blank' href='https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/professionals-and-partners/resources/2025-Income-Scenarios---Rentals.ca-Housing-Data---EN-updated.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Document 2 (2025 Income scenarios using Rentals.ca housing cost data)</a>.</p><p><strong>Contact:</strong><a href='mailto:[e-mail]' rel='nofollow ugc'> Karina Kwong</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>