Canada 2026 Quick Facts
| Capital | Ottawa, Ontario |
|---|---|
| Currency | Canadian Dollar (CAD) |
| Official Languages | English and French |
| National AVG Home Price | $695,412 CAD |
| National AVG monthly cost of living (excl rent) | ~$1,433 CAD per single person |
| PR Target | 380,000 new permanent residents |
| Key 2026 immigration note | Canada is reducing temporary residents to below 5% of total population by end of 2027, while prioritising economic immigration (rising to 64% of admissions by 2027) and significantly cutting new temporary resident arrivals from 673,650 in 2025 to 385,000 in 2026. |
Top 15 Best Places to Live in Canada in 2026
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 and a highly sought-after citizenship status. With a Canadian passport, you get visa-free travel to over 187 countries. You can see the latest Canada citizenship by investment changes for more insight on becoming a Canadian citizen.
Canada’s towns and cities cater to various lifestyles, whether you are after natural beauty, city conveniences, entertainment and attractions, or a quiet small town.
Below, you can find the best places to live in Canada based on cost of living, salary, housing, safety index, job market for employment opportunities, investments, retirement, or raising a family.
01/ Calgary, Alberta
- Biggest employers: Business services, international trade, hospitality, construction, natural resources, and manufacturing
- Average salary: $63,700 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $665,695 CAD
Calgary is one of the best places to work and live in 2026, with good incomes, opportunities for career growth, and a high quality of life.
Living costs are moderate, with average monthly expenses for a single person, excluding rent, at around $1,508 CAD. Excellent healthcare, low crime rates, and low taxes contribute to the overall high liveability. Calgary 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. The city has a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes it easy for expats to feel welcome.
02/ Ottawa, Ontario
- Biggest employers: Technology, healthcare, professional services, retail, education, construction, and administration
- Average salary: $65,000 CAD to $80,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $712,184 CAD.
Ottawa is the fourth-largest city in Canada, with a high quality of life and purchasing power.
Compared to other major urban city centres, like Vancouver or Toronto, Ottawa offers above-average access to home ownership due to lower housing costs and living expenses (around $1,442 CAD per month for a single person, excluding rent). The city lies far north, which results in cold, snowy winters.
Ottawa residents enjoy the city’s diverse attractions and activities, including Parliament Hill, the 202-kilometre-long Rideau Canal, and the ByWard Market, a buzzing hub of farmers’ market stalls and specialty food shops.
The city is known for its parks, bike paths, and proximity to nature, and history enthusiasts enjoy the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of Nature.
03/ Edmonton, Alberta
- Biggest employers: Agriculture, manufacturing, oil, gas, and mining, construction, real estate, retail, and wholesale
- Average salary: $56,000 CAD to $60,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $391,612 CAD
Edmonton is the capital city of the province of Alberta. It is one of the sunniest regions in the country, with an average of 325 days of sunshine per year. Home prices are affordable for the average Canadian, and monthly expenses, excluding rent, average $1,555 CAD for a single person.
The city has a strong economy that balances amenities such as modern healthcare facilities, affordable property prices, and plenty of outdoor activities.
It is home to West Edmonton Mall, one of the largest malls in North America, offering a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including a water park and amusement area.
Edmonton is known as “Festival City” and hosts over 50 festivals annually, including the Edmonton Heritage Festival, a three-day celebration of multiculturalism, showcasing diverse cultures, food, and traditions.
04/ Montréal, Québec
- Biggest employers: Innovation and technology, visual effects and animation, artificial intelligence, life sciences and healthcare, cybersecurity, and food processing
- Average salary: $71,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $667,500 CAD
Montréal is the largest city in the Québec province. It is majority French-speaking.
The city combines many of the economic benefits of other major Canadian cities, such as a thriving business scene, with a relatively affordable cost of living. A single person’s monthly expenses average $1,339 CAD, excluding rent.
The city also has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, making it easy to get around without a car. There are many bike lanes, festivals, and excellent healthcare facilities.
World-class hospitals like Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) and Montreal General Hospital consistently rank among the best in the world for their advanced medical services and contributions to healthcare innovation.
05/ Hamilton, Ontario
- Biggest employers: Food processing, agriculture, finance, technology, manufacturing, tourism, and life sciences
- Average salary: $53,750 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $720,000 CAD – $777,000 CAD
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, and it boasts a strong economy, particularly in health care, education, and manufacturing.
This city has mild winters and many open spaces for recreation and community events. It also has a vibrant arts scene with venues like Theatre Aquarius and festivals like Supercrawl and Art Crawl.
Buying a home in the city can be challenging due to the high cost of real estate in Ontario. However, living expenses, excluding rent, average $1,359 CAD per month for a single person, making it one of the more affordable places to live in the Greater Toronto Area.
06/ Victoria, British Columbia
- Biggest employers: Technology, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and healthcare
- Average salary: $54,007 per year
- Average home prices: $1.03 million CAD
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. Its career opportunities in tech, health, and tourism, affordability, and unique blend of city life and natural beauty 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 with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The only major drawback in British Columbia is the correspondingly high home prices. Living expenses are also slightly higher here, averaging $1,542 CAD per person, excluding rent.
Victoria offers a variety of beaches to enjoy. Popular options include Spiral Beach, Clover Point, Ross Bay Beach, and Cordova Bay Beach, which is great for swimming and sunbathing.
07/ Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Biggest employers: Transportation and logistics, financial services, technology, ocean economy, and life sciences
- Average salary: $65,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $657,000 CAD
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 cost of living.
Halifax ranks fifth on Numbeo’s Safety Index for Canada, scoring 60.1 on the scale. That, combined with reasonable monthly living expenses of about $1,433 CAD per person (excluding rent) contributes to its high quality of life.
While the city has a thriving tech and business scene, it’s also a hub for arts, culture, and outdoor recreation, with highlights like the Halifax Jazz Festival, the historic Halifax Citadel, and the scenic Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk. Its Atlantic coast location also offers easy access to Lawrencetown Beach for a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
08/ Vancouver, British Columbia
- Biggest employers: technology and innovation, tourism, natural resources, entertainment, and construction
- Average salary: $74,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $1,209,000 CAD
Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, but it is also very expensive. The city is ethnically diverse for cosmopolitan living and boasts the highest benchmark home prices, on average, of $1,209,000.
Vancouver ranks among the top 10 cities on the EIU’s Global Liveability Index, which ranks the world’s most livable cities based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
The city is surrounded by mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and lush greenery, offering numerous outdoor recreational opportunities like hiking, biking, and water sports. The cost of living for a single person in Vancouver, excluding rent, is $1,512 CAD per month.
Living in the city is easy with its excellent transport system, including access to buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus.
09/ Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Biggest employers: Manufacturing, aerospace, mining, tourism, and agriculture
- Average salary: $48,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $436,153 CAD
Winnipeg is the capital of Manitoba. This livable city is known to balance affordable home prices with a strong job market relative to smaller cities.
Due to Manitoba’s hydroelectric power, utility costs, especially for electricity, are considerably lower than in other provinces.
This livable city combines modern amenities with enough green space, although winters can get harsh. Winnipeg also embraces its diversity, home to a large immigrant community and host of Folklorama, the world’s largest and longest-running multicultural festival.
It is known for its strong natural resource industry and relatively low cost of living, with monthly expenses averaging $1,384 CAD for a single person, excluding rent.
10/ Waterloo, Ontario
- Biggest employers: automotive, food processing, manufacturing, aerospace, and technology
- Average salary: $75,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $770,000 CAD – $870,000 CAD
Waterloo is one of the mid-sized cities with a mix of modern amenities, excellent schools, 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. Waterloo is more affordable to live in compared to other cities like Toronto and Victoria. The cost of living for a single person in Waterloo, excluding rent, is $1,269 CAD.
Families with older children may consider the prestigious universities in the city for higher education, like the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as Conestoga College.
Waterloo also experiences cold winters with regular snowfall and temperatures that can drop below -20 Degrees C, which should be kept in mind.
11/ Toronto, Ontario
- Biggest employers: Technology and innovation, manufacturing, healthcare, real estate, finance, media, tourism, and life sciences
- Average salary: $79,500 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $1,111,580 CAD
Toronto is the biggest city in Canada and is considered by many to be the best place to live in Canada for immigrants and expats. Over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside Canada, making it one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
Toronto is a great choice for professionals in finance, tech, healthcare, and the creative industries, thanks to its many major banks, tech companies, and global businesses. The city is home to major companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco.
Housing prices are expensive in the city, which can be a deciding factor for low-income families. Living expenses are also higher, averaging $1,532 CAD per month for a single person, excluding rent, or about $5,665 CAD per month for a family of four.
Toronto has an extensive public transit network that includes the TTC’s subways, buses, and streetcars, as well as GO Transit’s commuter rail, making it easy to get around.
12/ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Biggest employers: Agriculture, mining, energy, retail, technology, and life sciences
- Average salary: $46,930 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $465,000 CAD
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.
Saskatoon is known for its beautiful South Saskatchewan River views, numerous parks, and a growing economy, particularly in sectors like tech and mining. The city is becoming increasingly culturally diverse, with various cultural groups represented and celebrated through events like Folk Fest.
Housing costs in Saskatoon are also significantly lower than in major Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. The monthly cost of living in Saskatoon for a single person is $1,475 CAD, excluding rent, and $5,272 CAD for a family of four, also excluding rent.
13/ Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
- Biggest employers: Agriculture, technology and innovation, construction, manufacturing, bioscience, and healthcare.
- Average salary: $43,024 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $550,000 CAD
Charlottetown is a small city with a small-town feel and is among the best affordable places to live in Canada. Its benchmark home prices and living costs are among the lowest in the country, with average living costs around $1,354 CAD per person, excluding rent.
It is one of the best cities to settle in on a tight budget for anyone who likes a quiet life and intimate surroundings.
The city offers a friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of community, and boasts well-preserved Victorian houses and a historic district.
14/ Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Biggest employers: Business, research, information and technology, retail, and healthcare
- Average salary: $51,199 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $395,000 CAD
Fredericton is among the best cities to live in Canada. A few of the city’s best qualities include housing affordability, low crime rates, and economic opportunities.
While it experiences cold Canadian winters with plenty of snow, it also boasts the beautiful riverfront of the Saint John River, also known as the Wolastoq, and numerous trails for outdoor recreation, including skiing.
Fredericton is considered the cultural capital of New Brunswick, with a thriving arts scene showcased at venues like the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and exhibits at the Fredericton Region Museum.
The low property prices and high average salaries make it a family-friendly environment. The average living costs per month are around $1,380 CAD for one person, or $5,052 CAD for a family of four (excluding rent) .
15/ Québec City, Québec
- Biggest employers: Finance, technology and innovation, life sciences, transportation, and manufacturing
- Average salary: $60,000 CAD per year
- Average home prices: $566,364 CAD
Quebec City is one of the safest cities in the country, ranking in first place on Numbeo’s Safety Index for Canada. Quebec City has many job opportunities, historic sites, fresh air with low pollution, and beautiful landscapes.
Known worldwide for its rich history and European charm, Québec City is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, recognized for its well-preserved 17th and 18th-century architecture in Old Quebec.
Quebec City is one of the best places to live in Canada for families with high French proficiency seeking housing affordability. The city’s strong economy, rich culture, and high quality of life attract those seeking a balance between affordability, modern conveniences, and vibrant heritage. Quebec City’s compact size and bike-friendly infrastructure also contribute to its livability.
The monthly cost of living in Québec for a single individual is $1,315 CAD, excluding rent and $4,891 CAD for a family of four, excluding rent.
Best Places to Live in Canada in 2026 – Comparison Table
| City | Province | Avg Salary (CAD) | Avg Home Price (CAD) | Monthly Costs for Single Person (excluding Rent) CAD | Best For? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | Alberta | $63,700 | $665,695 | $1,508 | Career growth, outdoor lifestyle, low taxes |
| Ottawa | Ontario | $80,000 | $712,184 | $1,442 | Professionals, family life, purchasing power |
| Edmonton | Alberta | $60,000 | $391,612 | $1,555 | Affordable homeownership, sunshine, festivals |
| Montréal | Québec | $71,000 | $667,500 | $1,339 | Bilingual professionals, arts, affordable living |
| Hamilton | Ontario | $53,750 | $777,000 | $1,359 | GTA access on a budget, arts & culture |
| Victoria | British Columbia | $54,007 | $1,030,000 | $1,542 | Young adults, tech & healthcare, coastal life |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia | $65,000 | $657,000 | $1,433 | Safety-conscious movers, coastal lifestyle |
| Vancouver | British Columbia | $74,000 | $1,209,000 | $1,512 | Global careers, outdoors, cosmopolitan living |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | $48,000 | $436,153 | $1,384 | Affordable families, multicultural community |
| Waterloo | Ontario | $75,000 | $870,000 | $1,269 | Tech professionals, students, families |
| Toronto | Ontario | $79,500 | $1,111,580 | $1,532 | Immigrants, finance, tech, creative industries |
| Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | $46,930 | $465,000 | $1,475 | Affordability seekers, outdoor recreation |
| Charlottetown | PEI | $43,024 | $550,000 | $1,354 | Quiet life, tight budget, small-town feel |
| Federicton | New Brunswick | $51,199 | $395,000 | $1,380 | Families, affordability, arts & culture |
| Québec City | Québec | $60,000 | $566,364 | $1,315 | French speakers, families, heritage & safety |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a City in Canada
These practical steps will help you choose the best place to live in Canada.
Start with an honest conversation with yourself
Before comparing cities, be clear on what you actually need versus what sounds appealing. Lower housing costs mean little if there are no jobs in your field. A vibrant city with high salaries may not work if the cost of living absorbs everything you earn. Write down your non-negotiables first, then let the data follow.
Do deeper research
Home prices and average salaries are a starting point, not the full picture. Look at provincial tax rates and consider healthcare wait times, school rankings if you have children, and whether a region’s economy is growing or dependent on a single industry.
Take Canadian winters seriously
This is one of the most consistently underestimated factors among newcomers. The Canadian winter can be intense, especially for people relocating from warmer countries. Cities like Vancouver rarely see snow; however, temperatures can fall below -20°C in Winnipeg or Waterloo for weeks at a time.
Think about how you will actually get around.
Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal have functioning public transit networks. However, having a car is not optional in most other cities on this list, such as Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, and Fredericton.
Build a complete cost picture
Two cities with similar average home prices can have very different day-to-day costs once you account for provincial sales tax, fuel prices, winter utility bills, insurance rates, and grocery costs. Be sure to run the numbers for your specific household composition.
Talk to people who made the move before you.
Online expat communities, settlement forums, and local Facebook and Reddit groups are some of the most honest sources of information available. People who already live in your shortlisted areas will tell you things that rankings and official guides will not. You will get deeper insight into how long commutes actually take, and which neighborhoods genuinely feel welcoming to newcomers.
Test it before you commit to it.
A short-term rental stay of several weeks, ideally across different seasons, is the most practical way to assess a city before signing a long-term lease or purchasing property. Try to live at the city’s actual pace, not the pace of a holiday, as this will provide a clear idea of what the city is like.
