10 best places to live in Canada for young adults

10 best places to live in canada for young adults

Toronto, Ontario

Population: Approximately 2.9 million

Average cost of living (groceries, utilities, entertainment, transportation, etc., and not including rent): $1,516

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $2,500

Job market: Canada’s economic powerhouse, Toronto is a great place for entrepreneurs looking to pursue their dreams of a start-up. Because it’s Canada’s biggest city, there are jobs available in innumerable fields, most notably in finance, tech and the creative industries

Average salary: $57,549

Education: Boasts some of the country's best universities such as University of Toronto and York University, as well as some of Canada’s top rated colleges.

Toronto is famously expensive and thus may seem like a strange pick as a top city for young adults who are generally just starting out on their own and don’t have a lot of savings. While it’s true that young Canadians may prioritize affordability for which Toronto does not rank highly — especially when it comes to housing — they also tend to value things like job opportunities, culture, the food scene and diversity. Toronto excels in these areas, offering a strong job market and a rich cultural scene with numerous world-class museums, festivals and events. Despite its high cost of living, Toronto's multicultural environment, entertainment options and extensive public transit system make it an attractive city for young professionals.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Population: Approximately 440,000

Average cost of living: $1,500

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,925

Job market: Medium growth, some rise in unemployment in some sectors, but there has been job growth in information, culture and recreation fields, as well as the hospitality and culinary industry

Average salary: $54,604

Education: Respected universities such as Dalhousie University and Mount Saint Vincent University

Halifax is a major economic centre in Atlantic Canada, with a solid economy. The city has a welcoming, warm vibe, with numerous art galleries, theatres and museums, and is also known for its restaurants, lively music scene and nightlife. It’s the ideal spot for young Canadians who want access to lots of age-relevant amenities but who prefer the feel of a smaller city and a slower pace of life.

Calgary, Alberta

Population: Approximately 1.336 million

Average cost of living: $1,592

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,860

Job market: Strong job market, though competitive due to influx of newcomers to the city. Starting to gain a reputation as one of Canada’s most innovative hubs for green tech

Average salary: $72,401

Education: University of Calgary and Mount Royal University

The city’s reputation as an affordable place (relative to other urban centres in Canada) with a robust job market, means you’ll have more competition when looking for a job, but you’ll also be more likely to find one as well. The city is home to numerous innovation hubs and start-ups, and its commitment to sustainability has encouraged job growth in green energy and environmental services. You’re just a short drive away from Banff, one of Canada’s best spots for outdoor adventure (skiing, hiking and more) and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Edmonton, Alberta

Population: Approximately 950,000

Average cost of living: $1,430

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,426

Job market: Strong job market for green energy, technology and healthcare

Average salary: $65,026

Education: University of Alberta is a leading research university with a strong focus on the sciences, as well as numerous colleges

Edmonton is a smart pick for young adults due to its booming job market, particularly in green energy, technology and healthcare. The food and culture scene is also growing at a steady pace. Many people may be surprised to learn that the city is home to North America’s largest and longest-running Fringe Festival. Additionally, Edmonton's world-class research facilities and hospitals make it an attractive destination for young professionals in the healthcare sector.

Montreal, Quebec

Population: Approximately 1.78 million

Average cost of living: $1,400

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,776

Job market: Strong in aerospace, tech and arts

Average salary: $57,246

Education: Home to famous universities like McGill (one of Canada’s best medical schools) and Université de Montréal

One of Canada’s oldest cities, Montreal is a major cultural and economic center in Canada, known for its rich history, arts scene and multicultural population. The city offers a mix of urban and natural attractions, with an excellent bar scene, museums and restaurant culture. Montreal is also ideal for those who like the excitement and challenge of being immersed in a different culture and language (though you can easily get along with only English if you don’t speak French).

Vancouver, British Columbia

Population: Approximately 675,000

Average cost of living: $1,528

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $2,656

Job market: Strong in tech, film and natural resources

Average salary: $70,301

Education: University of British Columbia, a leading research university with a strong focus on the sciences. Simon Fraser University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs

The city’s famous natural beauty, mild climate and outdoor recreational activities make it an attractive destination for young people who value a balanced lifestyle. The city is said to offer a slower pace and better work-life balance than Toronto. It’s also a very multicultural urban centre and has an active start-up culture and entrepreneurial ethos. After Toronto, the city has the second-best rated transportation system in the country.

Ottawa, Ontario

Population: Approximately 1 million

Average cost of living: $1,500

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $2,001

Job market: Canada’s capital, you’ll find plenty of opportunities in government and health care, as well as transportation and retail

Average salary: $64,995

Education: Carleton University, University of Ottawa (bilingual)

Ottawa is a great city for young people because it has a solid job market, particularly in the government and health sectors. It’s also home to many of Canada’s best museums and cultural centres. Many countries have embassies located in the city, making it an incredibly multicultural place to live. It boasts one of Canada’s most unique transportation systems in the winter: Ice skating from home to work on a frozen Rideau Canal, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

London, Ontario

Population: Approximately 421,456

Average cost of living: $1,388

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,757

Job market: Strong in education, healthcare, and technology

Average salary: $55,944

Education: University of Western is well-known for its health sciences and economics programs. Fanshawe College offers many arts and business programs.

London offers the slower-pace of a smaller city but offers easy access to major urban centres such as Toronto. The city also has an affordable cost of living and reasonable rent, while also boasting big-city amenities like restaurants, cultural events and museums.

Woodbridge, Ontario

Population: Approximately 106,000

Average cost of living: $1,400

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $2,000

Job market: Tech, finance, and service industries

Average salary: $68,337

Education: Easy access to Toronto and GTA universities and colleges

Close to Toronto, with good transportation as well as easy access to a network of highways, Woodbridge also has a strong job market in tech, finance and service industries. The city is a good pick for young Canadians who value convenience and career opportunities but want to take advantage of a slightly lower cost of living than Toronto.

Moncton, New Brunswick

Population: Approximately 72,000

Average cost of living: $1,200

Average rental cost for 1 bedroom: $1,322

Job market: High employment and the city’s active efforts to recruit young people provides Moncton with a promising job market for young Canadians

Average salary: $49,211

Education: It has several universities and community colleges (including the French-language Université de Moncton) in the city and within commuting distance

A low cost of living and great job prospects for young Canadians make Moncton one of the best places to live in Canada for young adults. You’ll enjoy a welcoming community, a laid-back lifestyle and plenty of outdoor activities.

Related: The top 22 cheapest places to live in Canada

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Methodology

Because the focus is on young Canadians (between the ages of 20 to 30), we prioritized the needs and interests that would typically be key areas of concern for this age group, including cost of rent (rather than the cost of a house), access to entertainment and public transit, universities and colleges (as pursuing more education may be important to this age group) and more. We also considered a city’s job market and average pay.

In general, the larger the city, the more options you’ll have for entertainment, post-secondary education, employment and so on, but you’ll have to take into account that in a big city, you’ll also have to pay more for rent and daily living costs. It’s also vital to keep in mind that things like the cost of living can be quite subjective because your monthly spending will obviously be much higher if you spend alot going out to eat rather than eating in, for example.

For this story on the best places to live in Canada for young adults, we used a variety of sources, including college and university websites, government resources and real estate and moving websites.