15 Best Places to Live in Canada That Fit Every Lifestyle

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land mass but ranks 38th by population. It has more than 8,000 cities and towns across all provinces and territories, which means a vast majority of the country is unpopulated.

Canada is renowned for its high quality of life, employment opportunities, cultural diversity, and tourist attractions. Settling in a new city or town can be an exciting but challenging experience. Our guide ranks the best places to live in Canada to fit any lifestyle. Keep reading to learn more about the most liveable cities and towns in the country.

Top 15 Best Places to Live in Canada

Our Global Digital Nomad report revealed that Canada is among the top 10 most desirable places for digital nomads due to its financial market, rich history, and political stability. The country has extensive healthcare coverage, well-developed infrastructure, and quality education.

The Canadian passport ranks 12th on our Quality of Life Index Score, making it one of the strongest passports for foreign nationals. Towns and cities provide different opportunities. Below, you can find the best places to live in Canada for employment opportunities, investments, or family raising.

1. Calgary, Alberta

• Biggest employers: business services, international trade, hospitality, construction, natural resources, and manufacturing.
• Average salary: $58,243 per year
• Average home prices: $635,903

Calgary is a beautiful city with good incomes and a high quality of life index score. Living costs are moderate, with excellent healthcare, low crime rates, and low taxes. It also has one of the largest education systems in Canada. Due to the city’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains, outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking and skiing are very accessible.

2. Ottawa, Ontario

• Biggest employers: technology, healthcare, professional services, retail, education, construction, and administration.
• Average salary: $64,995 per year
• Average home prices: $719,800

Ottawa is the fourth-largest city in Canada, with a high quality of life and purchasing power. Ottawa claimed its spot as a top destination for expats due to the reasonable cost of living. Compared to other major urban city centres, like Vancouver or Toronto, Ottawa offers above-average access to home ownership. The city lies far north, resulting in cold and snowy winters.

3. Edmonton, Alberta

• Biggest employers: agriculture, manufacturing, oil, gas, and mining, construction, real estate, retail, and wholesale
• Average salary: $51,965 per year
• Average home prices: $431,300

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta province. It is one of the sunniest regions in the country with affordable home prices and monthly rents for the average Canadian. The city has a very strong economy that balance amenities such as modern healthcare facilities, affordable property prices, and plenty of outdoor activities. Residents enjoy a high quality of life and low pollution rates.

4. Montréal, Québec

• Biggest employers: innovation and technology, visual effects and animation, artificial intelligence, life sciences and healthcare, cybersecurity, and food processing
• Average salary: $57,246 per year
• Average home prices: $671,600

Montréal is the largest city in the Québec province. If you want to live in Canada in a place with the best city for nightlife, then Montréal is an excellent destination. The city has a high purchasing power, a high quality of life index, and a low cost of living. There are many bike lanes, festivals, and excellent healthcare facilities. However, Montréal is among the world’s coldest large cities.

5. Hamilton, Ontario

• Biggest employers: food processing, agriculture, finance, technology, manufacturing, tourism, and life sciences
• Average salary: $46,045 per year
• Average home prices: $764,838

Hamilton is the city of 100 waterfalls. It can be the best city in Canada to live and work in due to its high purchasing power, cultural diversity, and versatile job market. This city has mild winters and many open spaces for recreation and community events. However, it can be challenging to buy a home due to the expensive Ontario markets.

6. Victoria, British Columbia

• Biggest employers: technology, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and healthcare
• Average salary: $54,007 per year
• Average home prices: $961,000

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. Various factors make Victoria one of the best places to live in Canada for young adults. As one of the mid-sized Canadian cities, Victoria offers high average incomes and a lucrative job market, especially for primary care providers. Residents enjoy lush landscapes, a pleasant climate, and vibrant nightlife. The only major drawback in British Columbia is the correspondingly high home prices.

7. Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Biggest employers: transportation and logistics, financial services, technology, ocean economy, and life sciences
• Average salary: $59,447 per year
• Average home prices: $601,250

Halifax is one of the medium-sized cities on the east coast of Canada. Various key factors make it a popular destination for settling, such as housing affordability, a low crime severity index, tourist attractions, and a reasonable costhalifax- of living.

The Canadian real estate marketplace offers plenty of opportunities for investment and businesses. The Citizenship by Investment program allows business experts the chance to live and work in Canada.

8. Vancouver, British Columbia

• Biggest employers: technology and innovation, tourism, natural resources, entertainment, and construction
• Average salary: $69,512 per year
• Average home prices: $1,239,418

Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia but is also very expensive. It is ethnically diverse, boasts the highest benchmark home prices, and has high purchasing power. Living in Vancouver comes with high average salaries and quality education. The cost of living is moderate, with an excellent quality of life index, and many green spaces.

9. Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Biggest employers: manufacturing, aerospace, mining, tourism, and agriculture
• Average salary: $51,031 per year
• Average home prices: $402,915

Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba. Winnipeg is known to balance affordable home prices with a huge job market compared to smaller cities. This livable city combines modern amenities with enough green space. With a Canadian passport, you get visa-free travel to over 187 countries.

10. Waterloo, Ontario

• Biggest employers: automotive, food processing, manufacturing, aerospace, and technology
• Average salary: $69,820 per year
• Average home prices: £764,844

Waterloo is one of the mid-sized cities with a mix of modern amenities and a well-developed tech industry. It offers more affordable housing to accommodate the needs of residents of several life stages. Another advantage is that in Waterloo, there is not much traffic compared to larger cities.

11. Toronto, Ontario

• Biggest employers: technology and innovation, manufacturing, real estate, finance, media, tourism, and life sciences.
• Average salary: $57,549 per year
• Average home prices: $1,147,636

Toronto is the biggest city in Canada. In 2020, the city dominated Canada’s economy, accounting for 21 percent of its GDP. According to a recent data report, Toronto has a high quality of life index and good purchasing power. The city offers an extensive public transit system. However, housing prices are expensive, which can be a deciding factor for low-income families.

12. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

• Biggest employers: agriculture, mining, energy, retail, technology, and life sciences.
• Average salary: $49,643 per year
• Average home prices: $405,400

Saskatoon is a city in central Canada that is part of the Prairie region. Its affordable home prices, high purchasing power, and many outdoor activities make it one of the best city to live. Newcomers can enjoy a lower cost of living compared to other big cities in Canada.

13. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

• Biggest employers: agriculture, technology and innovation, construction, manufacturing, bioscience, and healthcare
• Average salary: $45,220 per year
• Average home prices: $438,000

Charlottetown is a small city with a small-town feel. Its benchmark home prices and living costs are among the lowest in Canada. It is one of the best cities to settle in on a tight budget for anyone who likes a quiet life and intimate surroundings.

14. Fredericton, New Brunswick

• Biggest employers: business, research, information and technology, retail, and healthcare
• Average salary: $51,197 per year
• Average home prices: $368,645

Fredericton is among the best cities to live in Canada. A few of the city’s qualities become a deciding factor, such as housing affordability, low crime rates, and economic opportunities. The low property prices and high average salaries make it a great place to start a family.

15. Quebec City, Québec

• Biggest employers: finance, technology and innovation, life sciences, transportation, and manufacturing
• Average salary: $49,473 per year
• Average home prices: $416,774

Quebec City is one of the safest cities in the country. Quebec City has many job opportunities, historic sites, and beautiful landscapes. There is fantastic infrastructure with many educational and parliament buildings. Quebec City is one of the best places to live in Canada for families with high French proficiency seeking housing affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Places to Live in Canada

What are the best places to live in Canada in 2025?

In terms of job market, affordability, and quality of life, some of the best places to live in Canada are cities like Edmonton, Quebec City, Calgary, Victoria, Ottawa, and Halifax. However, the location you choose will vary based on personal preference, city size, and climate.

Where is the cheapest place to live in Canada with a good quality of life?

That’s where mid-sized cities shine. Canadian cities like Halifax, Saskatoon, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Quebec City, and Waterloo have a high quality of life index score and cheaper rents. They are less crowded than major cities but offer good access to jobs and healthcare.

Which Canadian cities are best for tech jobs and innovation?

Toronto is Canada’s most prominent tech hub, home to major companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco. Other Canadian cities that offer the same amenities across different tech companies with a high life index score include Montréal, Vancouver, Charlottetown, and Québec.

Where in Canada can you find the best healthcare and infrastructure?

Vancouver, BC, has some of the best healthcare institutions in Canada, such as the BC Children’s Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital. The public healthcare system is well-funded with excellent infrastructure and trained doctors.

What are the best places to live in canada for young adults?

Young adults who live in Canada often prefer cities like Victoria, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax, mainly for their nightlife, high life index score, strong economy, and easy access to natural landscapes. Other cities, like Toronto, also provide a good quality of living experience based on your preference.

What are the most livable small towns in Canada?

If you prefer smaller towns for living in Canada, you may like Canmore, Lunenburg, Nelson, or Perth. They are located across different provinces and have a strong sense of community. Many expats choose to retire in small towns in rural areas.

What is the best city in Canada to live and work?

Vancouver, a city in western Canada, near the Pacific Ocean, has plenty of job opportunities. The West End in downtown Vancouver, bordered by Stanley Park, is packed with cafés, restaurants, and local shops. However, it has a higher cost of living compared to other provinces, like Saskatchewan.

What are the best places to live in Canada for families?

Cities like Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa can be great places to live in Canada if you want to raise a family. They have kid-friendly attractions, museums, and natural landscapes perfect for family time, which can boost the quality of life.