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View of the Inner Harbour in downtown Victoria, BC. Victoria is one of the 10 most livable cities in Canada for newcomers.

For prospective newcomers researching landing cities in Canada, it’s vital to assess what city will best meet your needs. Knowing what a city offers can help you pick the one that is right for you, so let’s discover 10 of the most livable cities for immigrants.

Looking only at rent prices, cities like Saskatoon and Regina in Saskatchewan have the cheapest rents among Canada’s large and mid-sized cities. In Alberta, Edmonton and Lethbridge have the cheapest rents, as do Winnipeg in Manitoba and Windsor, Niagara Falls, and St. Catharines in Ontario.

Cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are popular but not cheap. In fact, they are by far, the most expensive cities in Canada to rent. 

But livability for newcomers to Canada is about much more than rent. For example, it’s important to consider job market opportunities and the cost of living (inflation). Another thing for newcomers to consider is available settlement services to help you adapt to life in Canada.


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Many experts consider picking the right Canadian city to live in as the best job strategy for immigrants.  

Recently, The Globe and Mail published research* listing the most livable cities in Canada for immigrants.

Information was gathered from 439 Canadian cities with a population greater than 10,000. The ranking is based on newcomers who landed in Canada within the last five years.

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Categories and Criteria to Judge Most Liveable Cities in Canada

The following categories and criteria were used to judge the most liveable cities in Canada for newcomers. Unsurprisingly, housing was rated as one of the top concerns.

CATEGORYCRITERIA
HOUSINGAffordability, ease of finding a home, property taxes, percentage of income spent on housing
ECONOMYJobs, earnings, taxes, and economic stability
DEMOGRAPHICSPopulation, stability, diversity, languages spoken
HEALTHCAREEase of access and satisfaction with care
SAFETYCrime rates and feeling of safety
EDUCATIONResidents’ academic qualifications and availability of schools and universities
COMMUNITYSocial spaces, events, volunteering opportunities, and the sense of connection residents feel
AMENITIESNumber of recreational places, shopping options, and other facilities, plus cannabis stores, gyms, movie theatres, and essential services such as childcare, grocery stores, libraries, and parks
TRANSPORTATIONPublic transit, ease of getting around, and proximity to airports and public transportation
WEATHERExtreme conditions, overall climate, humidity, and coldness.
Important criteria to assess when researching cities in Canada.

Top 10 Most Livable Cities in Canada for Newcomers

Among the top 10 cities in Canada for newcomers, rent prices and home prices** vary.

1. Pitt Meadows, British Columbia

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,205/month

Average House Price: $962,362

2. Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, British Columbia waterfront
Victoria, British Columbia waterfront

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,111/month 

Average House Price: $1,286,600

3. Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Forks Winnipeg is a popular tourist attraction.
The Forks Winnipeg is a popular tourist attraction.

Rent: 1 bedroom $1,365/month

Average House Price: $375,390

Read more about Living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

4. North Vancouver, British Columbia

North Vancouver including Lonsdale Qual and BC Ferry c;rossing the harbour

Rent: 1-bedroom $2,704/month

Average House Price: $1,318,687

Read more about living in Vancouver, British Columbia.

5. Saanich, British Columbia

Rent: 1-bedroom $2,023

Average House Price: $1,259,309

6. Wellesley, Ontario

Rent: 1 bedroom $1,900/month

Average House Price:  $1,637,450 

7. Burlington, Ontario

Burlington, Ontario is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Burlington, Ontario is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,145/month

Average House Price: $826,462

Read more about Living in Burlington, Ontario.

8. Regina, Saskatchewan

Victoria Park in downtown Regina with trees coated in ice. Office towers are located in the background. Regina is one of the 10 most livable cities in Canada for newcomers.
Victoria Park in downtown Regina.

Rent: 1 bedroom $1,267/month

Average House Price: $304,464

Read more about living in Regina, Saskatchewan.

9. Delta, British Columbia

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,074/month

Average House Price: $1,357,323

Read more about living in Delta, British Columbia.

10. Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Rent: 1 bedroom $1,830/month

Average House Price:  $1,001,518

CITATIONS:

* Globe and Mail 

** Prices as of April 2024, subject to slight changes monthly

SOURCES:

Rentals for Newcomers, CREA, Rentals.ca, Zoocasa, Zumper, WOWA; Zolo

Steve Tustin is the Editor for Rentals for Newcomers and a contributing editor for Prepare for Canada. He is also the former managing editor of Storeys.com and a former senior editor at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star.

*Prepare for Canada did not use AI-generated content in writing this story, and all sources are cited and credited where possible.

© Prepare for Canada 2024