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15 Best Cities to Live in Canada in 2024 (Local Tips!)
If you’re planning to move to Canada, you need to know the best cities to live in.
Canada is a large and diverse country with plenty to offer its residents. From the bustling city life of Toronto to the quiet serenity of rural Newfoundland, Canada has something for everyone.
And while there are many great cities in which to live, not all are created equal.
As the second-largest country in the world, Canada offers a wide variety of landscapes, climates, and lifestyles to choose from.
Having lived across Canada, I’m here to help you find the best places to live in Canada. Check out the 15 best cities to figure out where you want to move!
15 Best Cities to Live in Canada
1. Toronto
As the capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, Toronto is a great place to live if you’re looking for an urban environment.
The city has a population of over 2.9 million people, and it’s one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
There are over 200 different cultures represented in Toronto, and over half of the city’s residents were born outside of Canada.
The city is also home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey), the Toronto Raptors (basketball), and the Toronto Blue Jays (baseball).
There are plenty of things to do in Toronto, from exploring the many museums and art galleries, to hiking in the nearby Niagara Escarpment.
The city is also home to a number of popular tourist attractions, including the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Niagara Falls.
Cost of living is high in Toronto. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,800 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,500 on general expenses.
One pro of living in Toronto is that you can save money on your commute by taking the public transportation system.
A downside of living in Toronto is the weather. The city experiences very cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
It’s the best place to find work in Canada, with most businesses operating in the downtown core.
Best For: Living and working
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 27C
Average Winter Temp: -10C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $3,100
Type of Work: Business and executive roles
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2. Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and the fourth-largest city in the country.
The city has a population of over 1 million people, and it’s home to a number of federal government offices and institutions.
As a result, Ottawa is a great place to live if you’re looking for work in the public sector.
The city is also home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Rideau Canal, which is open for skating in the winter.
Ottawa experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is high in Ottawa. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,800 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,000 on general expenses.
You can lower these costs by living in the nearby suburbs of Kanata, Orleans, or Barrhaven/Nepean.
A downside of living in Ottawa is that it can be a very bureaucratic city.
Best For: Families
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: – 15C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $2,805
Type of Work: Government and education
3. Halifax
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in the Atlantic provinces.
The city is home to 3 universities, so most of its population leaves during the summers. It also has the most bars per capita in all of Canada, so there’s never a shortage of things to do.
It’s known for its friendly residents and laid-back atmosphere.
Halifax is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Halifax Public Gardens and the Halifax Citadel.
The city experiences mild winters, with temperatures rarely dipping below -10C.
Cost of living is high in Halifax, but not as high as other major Canadian cities. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,200 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $900 on general expenses.
A downside of living in Halifax is that the job market isn’t great. Most big companies don’t operate in Halifax, so you can only find low-level positions in businesses.
There are many opportunities for hospitality work though.
Best For: Students
Province: Nova Scotia
Average Summer Temp: 23C
Average Winter Temp: -5C
Size: Medium
Average Cost of Living: $2,000
Type of Work: Education or hospitality
4. Montreal
Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada.
It’s a bilingual city, with French as the predominant language.
Montreal is known for its lively nightlife and vibrant culture. The city is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Montreal Botanical Garden and the Montreal Biodome.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is high in Montreal. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,600 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,500 on general expenses.
A downside of living in Montreal is that the job market can be competitive. you’ll need to know how to speak French for many jobs. If you aren’t Francophone, you may not be able to find work.
Montreal has a European feel that makes it very fun to live in.
Best For: Young adults
Province: Quebec
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -12C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $2,800
Type of Work: Technology and finance
5. Vancouver
Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia and the third-largest city in Canada.
The city is known for its beautiful scenery, with mountains, and the ocean located nearby.
Vancouver is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as Stanley Park and the Vancouver Aquarium.
The city experiences mild winters, with temperatures rarely dipping below 0C.
Cost of living is high in Vancouver. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $2,000 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,500 on general expenses.
It is said to be the most expensive place to live in Canada.
A downside of living in Vancouver is that the job market can be competitive.
However, there are many opportunities for work in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Best For: No snow, Adventurers
Province: British Columbia
Average Summer Temp: 20C
Average Winter Temp: 0C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $3,000
Type of Work: Tourism and forestry
6. Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and the fifth-largest city in Canada.
The city is known for its strong economy, with many jobs in the oil and gas industry.
Edmonton is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the West Edmonton Mall and the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is high in Edmonton. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,300 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,000 on general expenses.
A downside of living in Edmonton is that the job market can be competitive.
However, there are many opportunities for work in the oil and gas industry.
It’s got a booming economy that gives lots of options to establish a life in Edmonton.
Best For: Nature lovers
Province: Alberta
Average Summer Temp: 22C
Average Winter Temp: -12C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $2,500
Type of Work: Technology, agriculture, oil and gas
7. Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta.
The city is known for its strong economy, with many jobs in the oil and gas industry.
Calgary is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Calgary Zoo and the Telus Science Centre.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is high in Calgary. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,400 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,000 on general expenses.
Calgary is a great place for new immigrants as the job market is very open.
There are many opportunities for work in the oil and gas industry.
Best For: Families, immigrants
Province: Alberta
Average Summer Temp: 22C
Average Winter Temp: -12C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $2,500
Type of Work: Oil and gas
8. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a city in Ontario.
The city is known for its beautiful scenery, with the famous Niagara Falls located nearby.
Niagara Falls is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Marineland amusement park.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is high in Niagara Falls. You’ll get a great quality of life, but expect to spend $1,200 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $1,000 on general expenses.
A downside of living in Niagara Falls is that the job market can be competitive.
However, there are many opportunities for work in the tourism industry.
Best For: Scenery, Adventurers
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Medium
Average Cost of Living: $2,300
Type of Work: Tourism
9. Charlottetown
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island.
The city is known for its beautiful scenery, with Charlottetown Harbour and the Confederation Centre of the Arts located nearby.
Charlottetown is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as Victoria Park. It’s known for its red sand beaches and incredible seafood.
Prince Edward Island sees more mild temperatures due to the proximity to the ocean. You’ll still find cold winter in the negatives, but nowhere near as cold as Quebec.
Cost of living is moderate in Charlottetown. You can expect to spend $850 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $700 on general expenses.
A great perk of living in Charlottetown is that it’s a very safe place to live.
The crime rate is low and there is a strong sense of community.
Retirees love Charlottetown for its slower pace of life.
Best For: Retirees
Province: Prince Edward Island
Average Summer Temp: 20C
Average Winter Temp: -8C
Size: Small
Average Cost of Living: $1,500
Type of Work: Fishing
10. Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of Quebec.
The city is known for its French-Canadian culture and heritage.
Quebec City is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Plains of Abraham. The Winter Carnival is also a popular attraction.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is moderate in Quebec City. You can expect to spend $1,100 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $900 on general expenses.
A great perk of living in Quebec City is that it’s a very safe place to live. You’ll also get to feel like you’re living in Europe with the cobblestone streets.
Quebec is a popular spot for visitors, but many people end up settling due to the culture in the area.
Best For: Culture
Province: Quebec
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Large
Average Cost of Living: $2,000
Type of Work: Tourism
11. Guelph
Guelph is smaller city outside of Toronto in Ontario.
The city is known for its rich history and architecture. Guelph is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the University of Guelph. It’s a popular university city and place for retirees due to the cheaper prices than Toronto.
Like most of Ontario, Guelph does see true Canadian winters, with regular -15C days and heavy snow. But it also sees very hot summers.
Cost of living is moderate in Guelph. You’ll spend $950 on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $700 on general expenses.
If you’re looking for a job, Guelph is a great place to start your search. The unemployment rate is low and there are many opportunities in the education and healthcare industries.
Best For: Students, Retirees
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Small
Average Cost of Living: $1,650
Type of Work: Education and healthcare
12. Kingston
Kingston is a small city located in Ontario. It’s midway between Ottawa and Toronto.
The city is known for its rich history, as it was once the capital of Canada.
Kingston is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as Fort Henry. It’s a popular spot for retirees due to the lower cost of living than Toronto.
Queen University is located here, which makes Kingston a hot spot for students, especially those studying business or medicine. This brings up the cost of housing, especially around the university.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is moderate in Kingston. You can expect to spend $1,200 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $800 on general expenses.
If you’re looking for a job, Kingston is a great place to start your search. The unemployment rate is low and there are many opportunities in the government and healthcare industries.
Best For: Students, Retirees
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Small
Average Cost of Living: $1,700
Type of Work: Government and healthcare
13. Moncton
Moncton is a small city located in New Brunswick.
The city is known for its bilingualism and culture. Moncton is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Magic Mountain water park. It’s a popular spot for students due to the low cost of living and tuition rates.
Families enjoy living in Moncton for the job opportunities and fun things to do.
Nearby, you’ll find the Hopewell Rocks and magnetic hill.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is low in Moncton. You can expect to spend $850 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $600 on general expenses.
A great perk of living in Moncton is that it’s a very safe place to live. The crime rate is low and there are many opportunities to get involved in the community.
Best For: Students, Families
Province: New Brunswick
Average Summer Temp: 20C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Small
Average Cost of Living: $1,450
Type of Work: Education and healthcare
14. Hamilton
Hamilton is a city located in Ontario, about an hour east of Toronto.
The city is known for its steel industry, as well as its waterfalls. It’s one of the best places for hiking near Toronto.
Hamilton is home to a number of museums and art galleries, as well as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats football team. It’s a popular spot for families due to the many activities and attractions.
The city experiences cold winters, with temperatures often dipping below -20C.
Cost of living is moderate in Hamilton. You can expect to spend $1,050 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $700 on general expenses.
If you’re looking for a job, Hamilton is a great place to start your search. The unemployment rate is low and there are many opportunities in the manufacturing and healthcare industries.
It’s also an easy place to commute to Toronto from, for larger houses and cheaper cost of living with the same work opportunities as living in the city.
Best For: Families
Province: Ontario
Average Summer Temp: 25C
Average Winter Temp: -15C
Size: Medium
Average Cost of Living: $1,750
Type of Work: Manufacturing
15. Regina
Regina is the capital city of Saskatchewan, located in the Prairies.
The city is known for its parks and gardens, as well as its museums and art galleries. Regina is home to the Saskatchewan Roughriders football team.
The city experiences warm summers, with temperatures often reaching 30C. Like the rest of the Prairies, the winters are also extremely cold with incredibly powerful winds.
Regina is a great place for new immigrants and young adults looking for low cost of living.
Cost of living is low in Regina. You can expect to spend $950 CAD on an apartment near the city centre, and an additional $550 on general expenses.
If you’re looking for a job, Regina is a great place to start your search. The unemployment rate is low and there are many opportunities in the government and healthcare industries.
Best For: Immigrants
Province: Saskatchewan
Average Summer Temp: 30C
Average Winter Temp: -25C
Size: Small
Average Cost of Living: $1,500
Type of Work: Government and healthcare
Wrap Up: Best Cities to Live in Canada
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of where is the best place to live in Canada. Depending on your needs and wants, different cities will be better suited for you than others.
That said, all of the 15 cities listed here are great places to call home, and I’m confident that anyone would be happy living in any one of them.
So, what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags and get ready to move to one of the best cities in Canada!
FAQs About the Best Cities to Live in Canada:
Which is the most affordable place to live in Canada?
The most affordable place to live in Canada is Regina, Saskatchewan.
You’ll find small cities are often very cheap, but they have more expenses when you consider travel or imported good
Which province is best for finding jobs in Canada?
The province with the best job prospects is Alberta.
The unemployment rate in Alberta is currently at 6.7%, which is lower than the national average of 7.0%.
However, most industry is located in Ontario and British Columbia. So if you’re looking for executive jobs, you’ll want to consider these provinces.
What is the cheapest city to retire in Canada?
The cheapest city to retire in Canada is Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.
This city has a low cost of living and plenty of amenities for seniors. Additionally, the average house price in Trois-Rivieres is just $200,000, which is very affordable.
What are the best places to live in Canada for weather?
The best places to live in Canada for weather are Vancouver, British Columbia and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Both of these cities have mild climates and plenty of sunshine. Additionally, they are both located near the ocean, which can help to keep temperatures cool in the summer.
However, Halifax does get some snow in the winter.
Which is the best city for raising a family in Canada?
The best city for raising a family in Canada is Ottawa, Ontario.
This city has a low crime rate, plenty of green space, and great schools. Additionally, Ottawa is a very welcoming city for immigrants.
So if you’re looking for a safe and friendly place to raise your family, Ottawa is the perfect choice.
Where’s the cheapest place to buy a house in Canada?
The cheapest place to buy a house in Canada is Trois-Rivieres, Quebec.
This city has a median house price of just $200,000, which is much lower than the national average.
What are the best places to live in Canada based on minimum wage?
The best places to live in Canada based on minimum wage are Winnipeg, Manitoba and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Both of these cities have a high minimum wage, as well as a low cost of living. Additionally, they both have plenty of job opportunities.
What is the best city in Canada to live and work?
The best city in Canada to live and work is Toronto, Ontario.
This city has a high number of jobs available. Additionally, Toronto is a very multicultural city, so you’ll be able to find people from all over the world to connect with.
Related Posts:
- 23 Pros and Cons of Living in Canada
- Average Cost of Living in Canada by Province
- Tipping in Canada: When to Tip and the Average Percentage to Give Across the Country
- Top 10 Reasons to Move to Canada: From a Canadian Expat
- 15 Reasons Not to Move to Canada in 2022
- 13 Canada Capital Cities & The Best Things to Do
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Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
