10 best places to live in Canada for families

Methodology

For this story on the best places to live in Canada for families, we used a variety of sources, including Yore Oyster, Numbeo (a cost of living site), government resources, such as Statistics Canada, and real estate and moving websites. To determine whether or not a city or town was a good place to live for families, we focused on things like quality of life and the cost of housing and rent (though this was not necessarily a determining factor as many of the best places to live for families have a high cost of living but offer other positive benefits that for some may outweigh the high cost of housing). We also looked at safety, green spaces, average salaries (especially important when you have kids to support), schooling, daycare and more.

Related: The top 22 cheapest places to live in Canada

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Best places to live in Canada for families

Toronto, Ontario

• Population: Approximately 2.9 million
• Average cost of a home: $1,068,700
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $3,110
• Average cost of living for a family of four (groceries, utilities, entertainment, transportation etc and not including rent): $4,404
• Average salary: $57,549

Admittedly, Toronto is certainly not on this list because of its affordability (or lack thereof, as is the case). Rather, Toronto is rated as one of the best places in Canada for families because of the veritable cornucopia of amenities, school and housing options and the attractions it offers for people of all ages. In Canada, it’s top for public transportation options (subways, trains, buses, streetcars and more), as well as hospitals, schools (public, private and specialized), libraries, attractions (like the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and world-class museums) and community centres. The city also boasts plenty of greenspaces, including beaches, hiking trails, parks and indoor play options. Despite its size, it’s also considered a safe city with low crime rates compared to other major urban centres in North America. As Canada’s economic hub, it also has lots of job opportunities. Finally, while there is a wait list in some cases, Toronto has an impressive quality and variety of daycares available (though you will have to get on a waitlist for subsidized daycare, which is true with many cities throughout the country).

Related: 12 cheapest places to live in Ontario (and buy a home!)

Sherbrooke, Quebec

• Population: Approximately 161,000
• Average cost of a home: $250,000
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $1,290
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,000
• Average salary: $46,317

There’s a reason why Quebec is famous for its joie de vivre! Sherbrooke is a hidden gem for families, offering a low cost of living, affordable housing and a strong focus on work-life balance. The city has excellent schools, a thriving arts and culture scene and easy access to outdoor activities in the surrounding Eastern Townships region. Furthermore, it’s considered a safe, welcoming city. Daycare in Quebec is heavily subsidized and as such offers some of the cheapest rates in the country.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Population: Approximately 440,000
• Average cost of a home: $575,075
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $2,841
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,864.5
• Average salary: $54,604

Halifax is the heart of Atlantic Canada. It offers a balanced lifestyle with affordable housing, a low cost of living and easy access to nature and outdoor activities. The city has a strong sense of community, excellent schools and a growing economy. It’s one of Canada’s safest big cities and famous for its friendly populace. Best of all, in 2020/2021, it was chosen as top five among mid-sized cities for Best Human Capital and Lifestyle, and one of its key mottos is that you can “get from the boardroom to the beach in 30 minutes.”

Calgary, Alberta

• Population: Approximately 1.336 million
• Average cost of a home: $446,000
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $2,321
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $4,087.2
• Average salary: $72,401

Want to take advantage of a booming economy? Looking to raise an active family in close proximity to one of Canada’s most converted destinations for outdoor lovers, Banff? Hoping to not have to save for most of your working life to buy a home? Then Calgary is worth a look. The city also has a low crime rate, top-notch schools, plenty of parks and an average commute time of less than 30 minutes. Are your young kids still not sold on Calgary? Tell them that one of the world’s best spots for dinosaur fossils, Drumheller, is just a 90-minute drive away!

Related: The top 12 cheapest places to live in Alberta

Charlottetown, PEI

• Population: 36,094
• Average cost of a home: $458,000
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $950
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,815
• Average salary: $72,401

The fact that it’s home of Anne of Green Gables, a children’s classic, is just one of the reasons that Charlottetown is such a perfect place for families. It’s safe, welcoming and offers a great mix of urban and rural amenities. Want to commute less to spend more time with your family? This picturesque town has an average commute time of 15 minutes. Its small size also means that you’re never very far from a beach, stunning hiking and biking trails and easy access to a plethora of other outdoor activities.

Edmonton, Alberta

• Population: Approximately 950,000
• Average cost of a home: $407,458
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $1,300
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,682.60
• Average salary: $65,026

Despite the fact that the cost of housing keeps going up in Edmonton (because it’s been such a popular place to call home for many people moving from other more-expensive locales), the low cost of buying a home means the capital of Alberta is still one of the best affordable places to live in Canada for families. It’s loaded with hiking trails, museums and libraries. If you want an urban centre with a rural, know-your-neighbour sensibility, Edmonton is a top pick.

Related: Cheapest province to live in Canada

Montreal, Quebec

• Population: Approximately 1.78 million
• Average cost of a home: $543,400
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $2,309
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,759.40
• Average salary: $57,246

Multicultural, multilingual and packed with multi-faceted attractions, Montreal, one of Canada’s oldest cities, offers a unique blend of educational, cultural and recreational activities. The city has a well-developed education system, with both French and English public schools, as well as numerous private and specialized schools. Additionally, thanks to its safety, subsidized daycare and community spirit, it’s an excellent place to raise a family.

Vancouver, British Columbia

• Population: Approximately 675,000
• Average cost of a home: $1,252,066
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $3,818
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $4,071.4
• Average salary: $70,301

With the most expensive housing costs in the country, Vancouver is certainly not going to win any prizes as the one of the best affordable places to live in canada for families. That being said, it’s without a doubt one of the most sought-after family-raising locations. Its laid-back lifestyle, outdoor activities, stunning landscapes, mild weather and acclaimed cultural offerings make it a desirable place to put down family roots. Additionally,  after Toronto, the city has the second-best rated transportation system in the country.

Ottawa, Ontario

• Population: Approximately 1 million
• Average cost of a home: $785,187
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $2,531
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $4,034.70
• Average salary: $64,995

Low crime rate: check! Lots of libraries and good (French, English, specialized and private) schools: check! A vibrant mix of urban offerings with the welcoming vibe of a much smaller town: double check! Ottawa is filled with some of the country’s best museums and cultural centres, and despite being Canada’s fourth largest city, it’s still very affordable. Also, imagine how much your kids will love skating to school in winter via the frozen Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

London, Ontario

• Population: Approximately 421,456
• Average cost of a home: $641,583
• Average rental cost for 2 bedroom apartment: $2,217
• Average cost of living for a family of four: $3,605.8
• Average salary: $55,944

London, Ontario is ideal for those who want to live close to a major city rather than actually in one. Just a few hours from both Toronto and Detroit, with less than half a million residents, London has the soul of a small town but the amenities of a much larger metropolis. The city is child-friendly with a subsidy to help qualifying families pay for child care expenses. It’s also got excellent schools and an easy average commute of 20 minutes.