Canada’s Top 10 Best Places to Live in 2025

Canada is one of the most attractive destinations for immigrants in the world. Thanks to its natural parks, scenic beauty, and friendly and welcoming environment, it is a top choice for people to start life afresh. Not only immigrants from developing countries but also many Americans are considering moving to Canada due to evolving geopolitical situations, rising concerns over LGBTQ+ rights, and other factors.

Canada has some of the best cities and towns, offering newcomers a thriving and safe environment. If you plan to move towards settling in Canada, you must assess the best places to live there. When choosing a place to move, affordability is not the only factor that should take precedence over the others. Many other factors make a city appealing, like safety, quality of education, acceptance of newcomers, public infrastructure, transport, etc.

1. Ottawa

The Capital city of Canada is centrally located between Toronto and Montreal, making it a strategic hub for government, commerce, and cultural exchanges. The city boasts a high quality of life, moderate cost of living and wide-ranging work opportunities. Here are some crucial factors that make this city a top choice to live in:

• According to 2023 crime severity statistics published by Statistics Canada, Ottawa was among Canada’s top ten safest cities.
• Ottawa has a higher cost of living, but it’s still lower than Toronto and Vancouver.
• The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the ‘Maple Capital’ is $1,779.01. Ottawa’s average monthly living expense, including rent, groceries, utilities, transit, and other costs, would be $3,262.47.

2. Québec City

The La Vieille Capitale is a beautiful city renowned for its well-preserved French and British influence, historic architecture, and vibrant culture. They take great pride in their Francophone culture and European heritage. Some factors that make Québec City a desirable place to live include:

• The cost of living in Québec City is comparatively low compared to other cities in Canada. The average monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city is $979.
• Québec City was recently ranked second as one of the best cities for raising kids. The ranking was based on several parameters, including a low crime rate, maternity and parental benefits, subsidized daycare, and median age.

3. Saguenay

Located in the Québec province, this city provides a good quality of life. It’s an urban city surrounded by greenery, and the best part is that there are no traffic jams!

• The crime severity index for 2023 is low, i.e. 51, indicating that it is one of the safest cities in Canada.
• According to Point2, a real estate firm, it ranks 9th among the 100 happiest cities in Canada. What makes it happiest are factors like life satisfaction, median annual family income, etc.
• Housing prices in the city are also low compared to other cities in Canada.

4. Calgary

Calgary, popularly known as the Blue Sky City, is highly rated in terms of quality of life. Recently, it was ranked as the fifth-most liveable city in the world, according to the Global Liveability Index 2024 compiled by Economist Intelligence.

• Buying real estate in Calgary is affordable compared to other cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where house prices have gone over the roof.
• It has a strong economy with ample job opportunities in the energy, tech and finance sectors.
• It has stunning natural landscapes composed of foothills, mountains, and valleys. Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise are popular tourist spots.

5. Guelph

Located in Southwestern Ontario, Guelph is among the country’s safest cities, making it a reasonable choice for families relocating. It offers the perfect combination of small-town living and city life without the high stress of bigger cities.

• The city has shown strong growth over the years. It is the fifth-largest growing city in Canada, with an annual growth rate of 2%.
• Guelph has a robust economy that emphasizes advanced manufacturing driven by companies like Wurth Canada, Linamar, and Magna-Polycon. In addition to the manufacturing sector, other supporting industries in Guelph’s economic development include cleantech, IT and communications technology, and innovation.

6. Sherbrooke

Sherbrooke is the sixth-largest city in Québec, home to over 181,000 residents. The cost of living is lower in Sherbrooke than in other cities in Québec and Canada.

• The average cost of house rent and buying a house is lower.
• It has University tuition fees among the lowest in North America and affordable daycare costs.
  Over 43% of the population is bilingual, and the education curriculum is in French and English.

7. Montreal

Also known as the City of Saints, this city is the ideal option for those who love the vibrancy and culture of a large city. It’s more budget-friendly than Ottawa, Toronto, or Vancouver. Owning a car isn’t essential in Montreal because it has impressive biking and public transit options. Depending on your work, French fluency may not be required, as more than half the population speaks English.

• Montreal secured a spot in the 2024 Mercer list of cities with a high quality of life and lower cost of living. The average cost of living for a single person is C$3,088.
• It is famous for hosting several cultural events in music, art, dance and theatre, including the Montreal Jazz festival, Osheaga festival, Igloo Fest etc. If you are a night owl and value culture and arts, this city is definitely for you.

8. Halifax

This vibrant coastal city with a rich maritime culture has more affordable housing compared to major metropolitan areas. With a strong arts and music scene, it is also home to several universities, creating a youthful atmosphere. It has mild winters by Canadian standards (though quite rainy) and beautiful harbour and scenic coastline.

• A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around C$1,020 without rent. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is approximately C$1,336.
• Halifax has a crime index of 41.05, which is considered moderate. Violent crime is slightly higher than the national average.
• Halifax has several universities, including Dalhousie University, which is ranked among the top universities in Canada.

9. Kingston

A historic city with beautiful limestone architecture a good balance of urban amenities and a small-town feel. Located on Lake Ontario with great waterfront access and a relatively reasonable cost of living compared to larger Ontario cities. It has a strong healthcare sector with multiple hospitals.

• A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around C$1,200 without rent.
• Kingston has a lower crime rate compared to the national average, making it a relatively safe city.
• Kingston is home to Queen’s University, which is known for its strong academic programs and research facilities.

10. Kelowna

Located in the Okanagan Valley, known for its wineries and orchards, the city has a mild climate compared to most Canadian cities. It offers beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities (lakes, mountains, hiking trails). It has a growing technology sector with increasing job opportunities. It is great for water sports and winter activities. The city has a smaller feel while maintaining good amenities and services. It is a popular retirement destination but is also attracting younger professionals.

• Kelowna has a cost of living index of 70, which is lower than the national average. A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around C$1,500 without rent.
• Kelowna has a crime index of 45, which is considered moderate. The city has seen a slight increase in crime rates over the past few years.
• Kelowna is home to several post-secondary institutions, including Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus.