What are the Best Cities in Canada for Immigrants?

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. 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. Another thing to consider is the availability of settlement services for newcomers. Free settlement services can help newcomers adapt to life in Canada.

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

Research gathered data to rank the most livable cities in Canada for immigrants who landed within the last five years. The research looked at 439 cities with a population greater than 10,000.

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. Housing was rated as one of the top concerns.

CATEGORY	CRITERIA
HOUSING	Affordability, ease of finding a home, property taxes, percentage of income spent on housing
ECONOMY	Jobs, earnings, taxes, and economic stability
DEMOGRAPHICS	Population, stability, diversity, languages spoken
HEALTHCARE	Ease of access and satisfaction with care
SAFETY	Crime rates and feeling of safety
EDUCATION	Residents’ academic qualifications and availability of schools and universities
COMMUNITY	Social spaces, events, volunteering opportunities, and the sense of connection residents feel
AMENITIES	Number 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
TRANSPORTATION	Public transit, ease of getting around, and proximity to airports and public transportation
WEATHER	Extreme conditions, overall climate, humidity, and coldness.

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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

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,111/month 

Average House Price: $1,286,600

3. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Rent: 1 bedroom $1,365/month

Average House Price: $375,390

Read more about Living in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

4. North Vancouver, British Columbia

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

Rent: 1 bedroom $2,145/month

Average House Price: $826,462

Read more about Living in Burlington, Ontario.

8. Regina, Saskatchewan

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

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

© Prepare for Canada 2024

WRITTEN BY

Steve Tustin

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

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 2025