If you are planning a move to Canada, then there’s a very good chance you are considering making Ontario your new home. Almost half of new immigrants to Canada settle in this province.
Close to 40% of Canada’s population (which is currently around 38 million) lives in Ontario. The population is concentrated in the southeast of the province, around the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence River system. The north of the province is sparsely populated, with heavy forestation and cold winters.
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario, but the province is also home to Ottawa, Canada’s capital city and political centre.
Most people from outside of Canada have heard of Toronto, Niagara Falls, and maybe Ottawa, but beyond that don’t know where to start when choosing their new hometown. We have tried to give a range of options for you to consider, from the relatively small city of Strathroy-Caradoc (population just over 20,000) to Toronto, which is Canada’s most populated city.
All of the cities listed below made it into the top 25 of a 2021 Macleans study of the best communities in Canada. The Macleans study ranked communities according to 9 features, including healthcare, crime, amenities and weather.
The Macleans website offers a very neat tool that allows you to weigh the features according to what is important to you. Macleans will then reset the rankings according to your requirements.
So moving on!
Welcome To Ontario: Your Guide To The Best Places To Live In Ontario
Are you considering making Ontario your new home? If so, you’re in good company. Nearly half of all new immigrants to Canada choose this vibrant province as their destination. With its diverse population and a plethora of cities to choose from, Ontario is a land of opportunity. From the bustling streets of Toronto to the serene landscapes of Strathroy-Caradoc, this province has something for everyone.
This guide aims to simplify your decision-making process by presenting a curated list of the best places to live in Ontario. We’ve considered various factors like healthcare, crime rates, amenities, and even weather, thanks to a comprehensive 2021 study by Macleans. Whether you’re a remote worker, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone looking for a strong sense of community, we’ve got you covered.
So, let’s dive in and explore what each city has to offer, shall we?
St Thomas
The Macleans study ranked St. Thomas as the 4th best community in Canada and the best community in Ontario. St Thomas’ highest-ranking features were internet quality (making it a good option for remote workers), access to amenities and healthcare.
This is one of the smaller cities on our list. It is located around 200km southwest of Toronto, in Elgin’s relatively sparsely populated county. It is just a 20-minute drive from the beaches of Lake Erie and the picturesque Port Stanley.
| St. Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Population | 38,909 |
| Ave House Price | $657,600 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 67 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 42 |
| Elevation (m) | 209 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.2 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -4.7 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 993 |
Belleville
Belleville is a medium-sized, picturesque city on the beautiful Bay of Quinte. It lies between Toronto and Montreal, around 190km northeast of Toronto.
It is the major market centre in a relatively rural area but has good transport connections. Several main highways pass by the city, and it has a bus service to Pearson Toronto Airport. Via Rail also operates several passenger services a day from Belleville, connecting it to a number of other cities, including Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City.
Belleville would make a good hometown for anyone who enjoys the outdoor lifestyle. You can hike, bike or play golf in the area, and its lakeside location offers boating and fishing.
Average salaries are lower than for some other cities in Ontario, but the low cost of housing compensates for this.
| Belleville | |
|---|---|
| Population | 50,720 |
| Ave House Price | $318,399 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 71 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 75 |
| Elevation (m) | 76 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.8 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -6.7 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 912 |
Cornwall
Cornwall is another small-medium-sized city located on the Saint Lawrence River. It is Ontario’s easternmost city, located around 440km northeast of Toronto and around 100km south of Ottowa. It is also close to the Quebec border, with around 21% of its population speaking French as their first language.
Cornwall has excellent transport connections. It lies on Highway 401, which connects Windsor and Montreal and is serviced by the Mega Bus services connecting it to many other cities. It also lies on the Viarail system, which connects it directly to cities such as Toronto, Ottowa and Montreal. Connections from these cities can then take you to the eastern and western extremes of Vancouver and Halifax.
Cornwall may not be an obvious contender for one of the best communities in Canada, and its crime rates are higher than other cities on this list. However, Macleans 2021 study of 419 communities in Canada ranked Cornwall as the 8th best community in the whole country.
Cornwall’s top three features (according to Macleans) were its high-quality internet, followed by healthcare and community. The availability of good internet, along with low-priced housing, makes it a great option for anyone looking to work remotely.
| Cornwall | |
|---|---|
| Population | 46,589 |
| Ave House Price | $366,471 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 103 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 137 |
| Elevation (m) | 64 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.8 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -8.5 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 1011 |
Toronto
Toronto is the capital of Ontario and has the largest population of any Canadian City. It is a modern, sleek and clean city with a high-energy fast pace of life.
Job opportunities are good, and wages are higher than in many other cities in Canada. However, the cost of living is high, and it has some of the highest housing costs in Canada.
Toronto benefits from having the largest airport in Canada, with direct flights to a large number of domestic and international destinations. Intercity rail links are also good, with access to many Canadian and US cities.
Within the city, traffic congestion is a major problem. However, the transit options are so good that it is possible to live there without a car. The city has one of the best networks in North America, with buses, trains, streetcars and the subway.
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and offers a diverse range of entertainment options and dining. It has great nightlife and, as Canada’s largest city, it is able to attract some of the biggest name acts and shows.
The city has a 50km shoreline along Lake Ontario, providing outdoor leisure activities such as walking, biking and boating.
| Toronto | |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,731,571 |
| Ave House Price | $1,208,200 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 58 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 90 |
| Elevation (m) | 113 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 22.3 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -3.7 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 831 |
Brampton
Brampton falls within the Greater Toronto Area. It is able to benefit from its proximity to Toronto without the high house prices. It is popular with people looking for city life but unable to afford the cost of living in Toronto itself. Crime rates in Brampton are very low compared to the provincial average and compared to Toronto.
It is around a 45-minute drive to Toronto’s downtown and has good public transport connections to the capital. It is also just a 20-minute drive from Pearson Toronto Airport.
Brampton has a very multicultural population. It has grown rapidly in recent years and is popular with immigrants. This makes for a very diverse culture and a range of cuisines.
One negative claim to fame is that Brampton has some of the highest car insurance rates in Ontario. A 2019 report showed that the average annual car insurance in Brampton was almost $2,500, around $1000 more than the provincial average.
| Brampton | |
|---|---|
| Population | 603,346 |
| Ave House Price | $676,567 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 37 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 52 |
| Elevation (m) | 218 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.5 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -5.5 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 786 |
Welland
Welland lies on River Welland in the Niagara region. It is close to the city of Niagara Falls and St Catherines and has good road and bus connections to both. For international travel, it is close to Niagara Falls International Airport (21km) and Buffalo Niagara International Airport (52km) in the US.
Welland has one of the fastest-growing economies in Canada. Economically, the city was hit hard in 2009 when John Deere closed its plant, affecting close to 1,000 jobs. Recovery has been helped by the city’s location and excellent transport connections.
The city has plenty of parks, nearby beaches, golf courses, and good access to walking trails. The city has excellent amenities for its size, and Niagara Falls is close by if you ever need more excitement. Crime rates are low, house prices are relatively low, and Welland seems to have a good community feel.
| Welland | |
|---|---|
| Population | 52,293 |
| Ave House Price | $307,914 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 58 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 57 |
| Elevation (m) | 175 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.6 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -4.3 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 997 |
Are You Planning A Move To Canada?
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Windsor
Windsor is one of the southernmost cities in Ontario, lying on the River Detroit. It borders the US city of Detroit and has a blend of US and Canadian Culture. Its southern location means that it has a relatively short winter season and the warmest weather of the cities we discuss here.
Windsor is affordable compared to other medium-sized cities in Ontario, and its proximity to the US allows for cross-border shopping trips.
It has good amenities for its size, without the congestion and pollution that you might see in a larger city. There is also an international airport. It has a beautiful waterfront, and it is quick and easy to escape to the surrounding countryside.
The easy access to Detroit’s downtown makes Windsor a great location for sports fans. Detroit is home to NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA teams.
The only obvious downside of Windsor is that its crime rate is somewhat higher than the average for Ontario.
| Windsor | |
|---|---|
| Population | 233,763 |
| Ave House Price | $560,023 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 105 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 106 |
| Elevation (m) | 190 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 23 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -3.8 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 935 |
Woodstock
Woodstock is a very attractive, leafy city in southwest Ontario. It lies on the Thames River, around 130km southwest of Toronto. It is on the major Highway 401, so it has good road connections, and Via Rail operates services to Toronto and other cities on the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor.
Woodstock has a laid-back friendly vibe. It is the only city in its county and serves the surrounding rural areas. As a result, it has excellent amenities for its size.
Job opportunities are growing, and the cost of living, including house prices, is reasonable. It is considered a good place for families, with a strong education system.
Woodstock has grown in recent years due to reasonable house prices and an influx of people looking to escape the Greater Toronto area. As a result, the city is becoming more multicultural, with a significant East Asian population.
| Woodstock | |
|---|---|
| Population | 40,902 |
| Ave House Price | $641,400 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 76 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 49 |
| Elevation (m) | 282 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 20.8 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -5.8 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 969 |
Strathroy-Caradoc
Strathroy-Caradoc is the smallest community on this list, situated around 220km southwest of Toronto. It is largely a rural community with the main industries being agriculture/food processing and automotive.
This city often performs well in “best communities” rankings due to its low crime rates, low costs of living and excellent healthcare.
Strathroy has an attractive downtown area with heritage buildings, shops and trendy restaurants. It hosts a lively market with farmers and other local artisans and vendors from June to October.
Its rural location means that it has plenty of options for outdoor activities. There are numerous trails for hiking and biking in the summers, as well as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. Close proximity to the Sydenham River means that boating and fishing are also on offer.
| Strathroy-Caradoc | |
|---|---|
| Population | 20,867 |
| Ave House Price | $378,406 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 55 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 49 |
| Elevation (m) | 229 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 21.5 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -5.2 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 967 |
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls City is the final place on our list of the 10 best places to live in Ontario. Niagara Falls is a lively city centred around tourism. It lies around 130km from Toronto, situated on the southern side of Lake Ontario.
The city has two good options for international flights. It is around 120km from Toronto Pearson International Airport and just 30km from Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
Niagara Falls has a lot more to offer than most cities of its size. The locals benefit from excellent amenities developed for tourists. It also borders the US city of Buffalo, which brings additional opportunities for nightlife and shopping.
In terms of areas to live in, locals prefer to avoid the tourist areas near the falls. This area is a little tacky and has been likened to Las Vegas. Despite this, the city has very low crime rates, and the falls themselves are beautiful.
The cost of living is generally reasonable. House prices have risen significantly in recent years but are still significantly lower than in the Toronto area.
On the downside, the tourism industry was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year or so. In some sectors, this has affected job opportunities, but this is hopefully a temporary situation.
| Niagara Falls | |
|---|---|
| Population | 88,071 |
| Ave House Price | $720,200 |
| Crime Severity Index* | 58 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index** | 57 |
| Elevation (m) | 175 |
| July Ave Temp (DegC) | 22.2 |
| Jan Ave Temp (DegC) | -4.1 |
| Annual Precipitation (mm) | 948 |
In Conclusion: Your Ontario Home Awaits
So, you’ve been contemplating making Ontario your new home? You’re not alone. With its diverse cities, ranging from the bustling metropolis of Toronto to the quaint charm of Strathroy-Caradoc, Ontario offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a remote worker seeking high-quality internet and healthcare in St. Thomas or an outdoor enthusiast drawn to Belleville’s lakeside activities, you’re sure to find a community that resonates with you.
The Macleans study provides an excellent tool to weigh features that matter most to you, be it amenities, crime rates, or weather. And let’s not forget the smaller gems like Cornwall and Welland, which offer a strong sense of community and growing economies.
So, what are you waiting for? Each city has its unique blend of culture, amenities, and opportunities. Dive into your research, weigh your options, and take that exciting step toward finding your perfect Ontario home.
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