If you’re on the lookout for the best places to live in Canada, you’ve come to the right place.

We will discuss the best cities to call home in our great nation.

Each town has its own special set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider your needs before deciding. Whether you’re going for a big city with many job opportunities or a smaller town with a more relaxed lifestyle, we have you covered.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best places to live in Canada!

Table Of Contents

Quick Overview: Best Cities to Live in Canada
Overall Best Places to Live in Canada
Best Places to Live in Canada for Young Singles

Best City for Foodies in Canada
Best Places to Live in Canada for New Residents
FAQs: Best Places to Live in Canada
Key Takeaways on Canada's Best Places to Live

Quick Overview: Best Cities to Live in Canada

In general, the following are the best cities to live in Canada:

Surrey, BC

Montreal, Quebec
Toronto, Ontario
Vancouver, BC

Calgary, Alberta
Mississauga, Ontario
Coquitlam, BC

Brampton, Ontario
North Vancouver, BC
Edmonton, Alberta

Maple Ridge, BC
Laval, Quebec
Ottawa, Ontario

Burlington, Ontario
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Oakville, Ontario

Langley, BC
Vaughan, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario

Kitchener, Ontario

Overall Best Places to Live in Canada	Ottawa, Ontario Quebec City, Quebec Calgary, Alberta Hamilton, Ontario Montreal, Quebec Edmonton, Alberta
Best Places to Live in Canada for Young Singles	Calgary, Alberta Vancouver, BC Toronto, Ontario
Best Places to Live in Canada for Families	Find out here
Best City for Foodies in Canada	Ottawa, Ontario Guelph, Ontario
Best Places to Live in Canada for New Residents	Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Read on for a detailed explanation of the best places to live in Canada based on your unique situation.

Overall Best Places to Live in Canada

The overall best places to live in Canada are:

Ottawa, Ontario
Quebec City, Quebec
Calgary, Alberta

Hamilton, Ontario
Montreal, Quebec
Edmonton, Alberta

1. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is best known for its beautiful parks, museums and landmarks. It is in Ontario, and as the capital city, it has a lot of government jobs available. It is a beautiful place to live for many reasons.

Ottawa is a bilingual city with many services available in both languages. It helps to know French, but English is universal. Learning French may help you integrate faster into society or gain particular jobs, but you do not need to be bilingual to live well there.

It has an abundance of architectural gems and is one of Canada’s best places to retire. It is also a favourite among working professionals.

The city consistently rates as one of the greatest places to live in the world for quality of life, cleanliness, rich city centre, and lovely districts.

The city’s population is just less than 1 million. Still, fresh investment and Canada’s immigration drive are set to boost it by 3% in the next three years.

What’s more? It is a green city. It’s bike-friendly and offers plenty of outdoor activities.

The Rideau Canal is a popular destination and runs through downtown Ottawa. The magnificent Rideau Canal has several trails, footpaths, running pathways, and bike lanes all along its length. A world-record-breaking ice rink forms on the canal in winter. It’s best to visit in winter so that you can ice skate along the canal!

Winters are cold and bright, with lots of winter activities accessible around the city, and summers may grow extremely hot and humid.

While higher than average, Ottawa’s cost of living is nevertheless reasonable. You can rent apartments for $700-$1400 CAD per month, depending on location.

Food, especially imported, can be pricey. However, incomes are above average, and Ottawa’s unemployment rate is only 5.3 percent.

Top jobs include IT analysts, retail salespeople, computer programmers, and interactive media developers.

Ottawa is home to the Canadian federal government and provincial and municipal offices. Ottawa’s public sector employs roughly 20% of the working population.

Occupational growth was driven by the natural and applied sciences, education, law and community, and management.

Ottawa has been home to many important events since its founding in 1845, including hosting World War One headquarters for Canadian forces and U.S troops during World War Two.

2. Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City is the capital city of la belle province (commonly known as Quebec). It is located on the north bank of the Saint Lawrence River, in the Laurentian region.

The place has a rich history and was founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains many historic buildings, including the Chateau Frontenac, which is now a hotel.

The city’s population is just over 500,000, and it is one of Canada’s best places to retire. It offers many cultural attractions, including music and theatre festivals, and is a popular tourist destination.

Quebec City is officially bilingual, with services available in French and English. The living cost in Quebec City is higher than the national average but lower than in Ottawa. Top jobs in Quebec City include accountants, nurses, physicians, engineers, and more.

Quebec City has a diversified economy with strengths in many different industries. The city’s unemployment rate is below the national average.

Quebec City is a stunning place to live, work, and visit. It’s jam-packed with historical sights and activities. It is also a cultural and historical treasure.

However, one thing to keep in mind regarding Quebec City is that it is mostly a Francophone city. You should start practising your French if it isn’t as strong as it could be.

3. Calgary, Alberta

When moving to Alberta, most people choose between Calgary and Edmonton.

Calgary, Alberta’s largest city, has much to offer new Canadians.

It is one of Canada’s best cities for jobs and also one of the best places to live in Canada. The city’s population is over a million people, but it offers the charm and friendliness of smaller towns. It is a vibrant metropolis deeply connected to nature and the surrounding surroundings.

Calgary is situated in southern Alberta on the Bow River. It offers warm summers with low humidity levels and plenty of sunshine throughout the year.

As the city is located at the confluence of two rivers, life in Calgary is surely picturesque.

Winters in Calgary can be cold, but they are a far cry from the frigid temperatures often seen in Edmonton.

The cost of living in Calgary is above the national average, and so are salaries. The unemployment rate is low at only around six percent.

Top jobs in Calgary include engineers, accountants, and oil and gas workers.

Calgary was initially founded as a fort in 1876, and it has grown into Alberta’s economic center. The city is best known for its energy industry; however, Calgary also boasts a strong manufacturing sector. Financial services are another important part of the economy.

As the railway progressed west, Calgary grew from a small village to a city. The charm of a mountain community combined with city facilities.

Calgary attracted enormous investment when the 1988 Winter Olympics were chosen. Calgary residents continue to benefit from the country’s top sporting and transportation amenities.

Calgary has 180 distinct communities, each with its own history and culture, making it one of Canada’s most diversified cities.

Some older neighbourhoods are still being renovated, so there’s always something new to discover. Prince Island Park hosts several of the city’s festivals, including a music festival and a cowboy stampede.

Housing costs are rising due to outstanding amenities and continuing redevelopment. A condo is roughly $300,000, while a house is around $500,000.

Despite high property expenses, Calgary has low daily living expenditures. It also provides amazing job prospects. Calgary has plenty of jobs in tourism, film, manufacturing, aerospace, health, financial services, and transportation.

Calgary has a dry and sunny climate. It is an inner-city, vibrant city with diverse neighbourhoods.

Calgary is an ideal place to raise children. It has the Stampede Grounds and Scotiabank Saddledome. These two places provide lots of opportunities for fun, which are perfect for kids.

4. Hamilton, Ontario

best places to live in canada hamilton ontario

Hamilton also referred to as “Steeltown,” is an industrial city evolving into a more contemporary metropolis to adapt to modern times.

It is the third-largest city in Ontario and home to over 600,000 people.

Hamilton was once known for its steel mills and heavy manufacturing. Still, it has since shifted gears to focus on renewable energy, life sciences, information and communication technologies (ICT), advanced manufacturing, logistics and transportation.

Hamilton is a great place to live and work in terms of job prospects for new immigrants.

It has a stable economy growing at an average rate of one percent per year. There are plenty of job prospects in the service industry, education system and trade sector. One can also find tourism throughout the city due to its proximity to Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Hamilton, located on the GO Transit line, is mostly a bedroom suburb for commuters to the Big Smoke (widely known as Toronto), but the city centre has been rapidly evolving. Whereas Hamilton originally lacked luxury eateries and entertainment, the city has since modernized significantly.

The housing prices in Hamilton have been increasing, so it may not be affordable to most.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is best known as one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. It is regarded as one of the best places in Canada to live if you’re looking for an urban environment with all the amenities.

5. Montreal, Quebec

As a major tourist destination, Montreal is one of the finest cities to live in Canada for those who enjoy attending cultural and social events (such as festivals, music or theatre shows, and more) regularly.

Montreal, home to 1.7 million people, is a cultural and social hotbed because of its long history and diverse population.

If you’re intent on living and working in this city, you’ll almost certainly need to know French, as it contains one of the world’s highest concentrations of French speakers.

6. Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton is the capital of Alberta and the second-largest city in the province after Calgary. The city has over 900,000 people and is located on the northern bank of the North Saskatchewan River.

The city has a rapidly growing economy and is one of the most diverse in Canada, with over 120 languages spoken. Edmonton’s workforce is highly skilled, and the cost of living is affordable compared to other major Canadian cities.

Edmonton’s unemployment rate is lower than Calgary and Toronto, making it an ideal place to live if you’re looking for work.

The city has a rich cultural heritage, with plenty of museums, art galleries, and theatres. It also has a large number of parks and green spaces. Edmonton is an excellent location for anyone considering starting a family.

The cityscape of Edmonton has been changing rapidly, with new high-rise developments and an ever-growing skyline.

Edmonton is home to many festivals year-round, including K-Days “Klondike Days” (a 10-day summer event comprising food, rides, music, games, and adventure), Rogers Place (a world-class arena), and Taste of Edmonton.

The West Edmonton Mall located in Edmonton takes the position of the largest shopping mall in Canada (previously the largest in North America) and is definitely a place to check out. Children of all ages adore it. It is equipped with bowling, mini-golf, escape rooms, an aquarium, an ice rink, an amusement park, and a waterpark!

Best Places to Live in Canada for Young Singles

The best places to live in Canada for young singles are:

Calgary, Alberta
Vancouver, BC
Toronto, Ontario

Canada is a great place for singles to live. The country has no shortage of places where you can enjoy your single life, whether that’s taking in the views of Canada’s amazing cities or enjoying the outdoors.

You can participate in various activities when living in Canada, from travelling to outdoor sports such as camping and hiking to nightlife options like going out to the town at a bar or club.

If you’re young and single, Canada is a great place to start your career. Many cities all over the country have thriving economies with job opportunities for fresh graduates or those who intend to switch careers. These places also provide affordable living costs, so it’s easy for singles without kids to find their niche in life here without breaking the bank too much.

1. Calgary

Calgary is a great city for singles looking to start their lives. The town is situated in the province of Alberta, and it’s home to a population of over one million people.

Calgary has a lot to offer in terms of job opportunities, nightlife, and outdoor activities. It also has a lot of cultural events and the cost of living is relatively low. The city boasts an unemployment rate that is lower than the national average. There are plenty of jobs available in fields like healthcare, retail sales, education, and construction.

Young singles in Calgary have many opportunities to make a higher wage in Calgary because of the affordable housing (compared to other cities in Ontario) and many jobs in Alberta’s oil industry.

Calgary has high employment in the oil and gas industry. This is one of the reasons why it attracts a lot of people, including international students who want to study at the University of Calgary.

2. Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver is another excellent place for singles to live in Canada. This town is best known for its beautiful scenery and being home to an incredible nightlife scene.

If you plan to live in one of the most beautiful places in Canada, look no further than Vancouver.

Vancouver is a city on the west coast of British Columbia that has been named the best place to live in Canada for young singles and the best place to retire by MoneySense magazine for two years running. The scenery is stunning, with lush green forests surrounding you as far as your eye can see. Vancouver also boasts a lively nightlife and arts scene, with plenty of activities to keep you entertained.

The living cost in Vancouver is high, but so are the wages if you work in specific sectors such as Information Technology (IT). The city’s unemployment rate is low.

Vancouver is a popular city for young singles because it has various community and cultural activities. It also offers easy access to nature and plenty of entertainment.

Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the best locations to live in the world. It has mountains, beaches, islands, a city centre, and lovely residential suburbs. Vancouver has everything. The only disadvantage is the property market.

A family house in the suburbs can soon reach over $1 million, and properties that come on the market are scooped up. Rent might be exceedingly high, making housing difficult to come by.

After all, you can enjoy Vancouver’s best once your home situation is sorted.

It has excellent international and local connections, making getting out of town and into nature much easier than crossing downtown.

Vancouver’s economy is booming. The city is the third most popular filming location after New York and Los Angeles. Vancouver jobs are plentiful and well-paying. The 2010 Winter Olympics was held in Vancouver.

Vancouver offers the top schools, hospitals, medical services, public transportation, commercial areas, harbour, and parkland in Canada.

Vancouver’s weather is milder than other areas, making outdoor activities more accessible all year. Vancouver is a thriving modern city with many natural attractions and abundant fresh air.

If you can afford to live here, Vancouver is a great place to be as a single.

3. Toronto, Ontario

Toronto is another great city for young singles. This bustling metropolis has a lot to offer with its vibrant culture, diverse neighbourhoods, and amazing food scene.

The best thing about Toronto is that it’s easy to get around the city by public transit or walking from place A to B on your own! No car is needed here (unless you like driving). Public transport includes subways, buses, streetcars, and a regional rail system.

The living cost in Toronto is high, but so are the wages. The city also has a very low unemployment rate. If you can afford to live here, Toronto is a great place to be single.

Toronto offers plenty of activities for young singles to get involved in, such as art galleries, live music performances, festivals and events. The best part about residing in Toronto is that you never have to worry about being bored! Toronto is also an outdoor destination for hiking, biking, and canoeing.

Toronto constantly ranks as one of the best locations to live in the world. It has excellent international and local connections, making getting out of town and into nature much easier than crossing downtown.

Toronto is the financial and cosmopolitan centre of Canada. It is a great destination for young singles looking for work and business opportunities.

As you might imagine, there are plenty of employment opportunities from being the most populous city in Canada. Toronto has a lot of job, living, and entertainment opportunities.

In addition to being home to Canada’s five largest banks, Toronto is also home to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

Toronto has a great education system. The public transport system is also good, and they do have bike lanes and sidewalks for biking or walking to work or school.

It has relatively mild winters compared to other areas of the country.

There are various festivals throughout the year that are held in different venues. In addition to being Canada’s most populous city, Toronto is also home to the CN Tower, the Western Hemisphere’s tallest building.