Four Ontario cities named among the best places to live in Canada

A new ranking names four Ontario cities, including Toronto, among the best places to live in Canada in 2025, though the 6ix may not be as high up on the list as you might think.

The report, "Best Places to Live in Canada 2025: Top 15 Cities for Quality of Life," comes from Global Citizen Solutions, which analyzed locales based on their employment and investment opportunities, housing costs, industries, and average living expenses. 

According to the firm's assessment, four spots in Ontario are considered among the best cities to live in Canada this year: Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo, and Toronto.

Canada's capital came in at #2 on the list, which highlighted its high quality of life, purchasing power, reasonable cost of living, and above-average access to homeownership due to lower living expenses, which come out to around $1,479 per month for a single person. 

Ottawa was also given a shoutout for its attractions, including Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, its bike path network, and historic museums.

The next Ontario city that appeared on the list is Hamilton, which was ranked #5 due to its high purchasing power, vibrant arts scene and strong local economy, particularly in healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The report also found that living expenses average $1,405 per month for a single person, making it one of the more affordable places to live in the GTA. 

Waterloo, which came in #10, was ranked highly due to its mix of modern amenities, prestigious schools like the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, and a well-developed tech industry.

While several factors, including its low traffic and affordable housing, were mentioned, some drawbacks were mentioned, including its cold winters and heavy snowfall. 

Last but certainly not least, Toronto trailed shortly behind at #11, making it the final Ontario addition to the list. 

"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," the report reads, noting that the city is a great choice for professionals in finance, tech, healthcare and creative industries thanks to its large share of banks, tech companies and global businesses. 

However, as we all know, housing prices in the city aren't exactly the cheapest, which can be a deciding factor for low-income families. According to the report, living expenses average $1,547 per month for a single person, or about $5,652 per month for a family of four.

Here are the best places to live in Canada this year, according to the list: 

1. Calgary, Alberta
2. Ottawa, Ontario
3. Edmonton, Alberta
4. Montreal, Quebec
5. Hamilton, Ontario
6. Victoria, B.C.
7. Halifax, Nova Scotia
8. Vancouver, B.C.
9. Winnipeg, Manitoba
10. Waterloo, Ontario
11. Toronto, Ontario
12. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
13. Charlottetown, P.E.I
14. Fredericton, New Brunswick
15. Quebec City, Quebec