Canada is one of the most immigrant-friendly countries. However, it’s also the second-largest country in the world, so choosing which city to live in is almost like choosing a country within a country. There is a huge diversity in terms of local culture, landscapes and climates, economies, and even languages.
At Remitly, we know that immigrating to a new country is a complex journey, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way. Your immigration journey begins with a pivotal decision: choosing the right city where you want to build your new life.
Overview of factors to consider for families
- Employment prospects. Finding a job is one of the primary concerns for most immigrants in Canada. Your job and salary will have a direct influence on your family’s financial security, standard of living, integration into the community, and levels of stress and anxiety.
- Quality of education: No matter which city you choose to live in, Canada has a very high-quality education system: it is a top-performing OECD country in terms of reading, math and sciences. Over 95% of Canadians choose public schools for their children, which are free for residents. However, it’s important to know that where you live will influence which public school your children can attend. To learn about each school’s academic and overall performance, you can check the Fraser Institute rankings.
- Community support services. Canada is very welcoming to immigrants. Each city offers a variety of support services to help new arrivals settle into their new home. You may even want to consider becoming a Canadian citizen.
Importance of choosing the right city
Choosing the right city to live in is a monumental decision, especially when you’re moving with children. The city where you settle will influence you and your family’s happiness and well-being for years to come.
The cost of living can vary considerably from one Canadian city to another. Take a look at our guide to the cost of rent, utilities, internet, and transportation in each city to help you create a realistic budget for you and your family.
Why choose Canada?
Diverse and inclusive society
Canada has one of the highest rates of immigration of any country in the world. As of 2023, immigrants with permanent residence comprise about 20% of Canada’s population.
Canada champions inclusion and respect for diversity as a path to peace and prosperity. Multiculturalism is an important part of the Canadian identity, and the government actively pursues initiatives to further inclusion.
For example, the Government of Canada provides free newcomer services to help immigrants look for a job, receive assistance getting a licence or certification in a regulated profession, get a language assessment, register for language classes, get a settlement plan, connect with the local community, and more.
Strong economy and employment opportunities
Canada has a robust economy, with ample opportunities for employment in a wide variety of sectors. The unemployment rate in Canada averaged 7.57% from 1966 through 2025. You can check the levels of unemployment in each province on the Statistics Canada website.
Top cities for immigrant families
Vancouver: Cultural diversity and vibrant communities
Vancouver, British Columbia is a multicultural city with a vibrant immigrant community, with diverse neighbourhoods including Chinatown and Little India. It is sometimes called the ‘Hollywood of the North’ thanks to its booming film and television industry. It is also committed to sustainability and aims to be the greenest city in the world. However, you may need some budgeting tips as it is one of the country’s most expensive cities.
It is known for its high quality of life, thanks in part to its stunning natural beauty. With beaches on the Pacific Ocean and hiking and skiing opportunities in the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for the entire family.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: Clean Tech, Digital Entertainment, Film & TV, Green Building Design & Construction, Green Economy, Local Food, Technology, VFX & Animation, and Video Games
- The average salary in Vancouver is CAD$74,843 per year or CAD$35.98 per hour
- Quality of education
- Children aged 5-18 can attend high-quality public or private schools
- Many schools offer support services to build English language skills if necessary
- Top universities in Vancouver: University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Island University, University of Victoria, Emily Carr University of Art + Design
- Community support services
- Growing Roots: A Newcomer’s Guide to Vancouver, published by the City of Vancouver, is an invaluable online resource full of practical information about services for new immigrants, finding a place to live, getting a job, learning English, health care, child care, schools, safety, human rights, and much more
Toronto: Economic opportunities and community support
As Canada’s largest city, Toronto is the economic heart of the country and the most popular destination for new immigrants due to job opportunities. However, it also has beautiful natural landscapes, thanks to its location on the shores of Lake Ontario.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: Creative Technology, Design, Education, Events, Fashion/Apparel, Film & TV, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, Green Economy, Life Sciences, Music, Technology, and Tourism
- The average salary in Toronto is CAD$74,178 per year or CAD$35.66 per hour
- Quality of education
- Toronto has an excellent quality of education, from primary and secondary to higher education
- If you have a work permit or are a permanent resident of Canada, it is free for your children to enroll in public schools
- Private and international schools can be expensive
- You may want to choose your children’s school first and look for housing afterwards. While it is possible to register at schools outside your neighbourhood, students who live near the school are often given preference.
- Top universities in Toronto: University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University
- Community support services
- List of non-profit or government programs and services for immigrants in Toronto
- Free help for newcomers to Toronto, with support in more than 50 languages
Montreal: Affordable living and rich culture
Montreal is the heart of French Canada. Not only is French spoken here, but the culture is also evident in the city’s architecture, cobblestone streets and beautiful cafés. It also has a thriving arts and culture scene, with many festivals held throughout the year.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: Artificial Intelligence, Clean Technology, Cybersecurity, Electric and Smart Transportation, Fintech, Food Processing, IT Services and Software Development, Life Sciences and Health Technologies, Video Games, Visual Effects and Animation
- The average salary in Montreal is CAD$68,792 per year or $33.07 per hour
- Montreal is a bilingual city (English and French), and you will have more employment possibilities if you speak both languages
- Quality of education
- Public school is free for everyone from primary to secondary school
- Classes are offered in English and French
- Access to public schools is determined by where you live
- Private schools may cost a few thousand Canadian dollars per year per child
- Top universities in Montreal: McGill University, University of Montréal, Concordia University, University of Québec at Montréal, School of Higher Technology – University of Québec, Polytechnic School of Montreal
- Community support services
- The CACI offers assistance with administrative procedures, finding housing, learning French, looking for a job, and more
- PROMIS offers personalized services to help new immigrants with integration
Calgary: Family-friendly neighborhoods and job market
Calgary is a major economic centre, especially in the energy sector. It is also known for its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and abundant parks and green spaces.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: Aerospace, Agribusiness, Creative Industries, Energy and Environment, Financial Services, Digital Media and Entertainment, Life Sciences, Technology, Transportation and Logistics
- The average salary in Calgary is CAD$75,616 per year or CAD$36.35 per hour
- Quality of education
- Children can attend public school for free (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
- Your child will have a ‘designated school’ based on where you live – use the Calgary Board of Education’s Find a School Tool to see which school corresponds to your home address
- Top universities in Calgary: University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, AIT Polytechnic, Ambrose University, St. Mary’s University – Calgary
- Community support services
- Immigrant Services Calgary offers immigrants help with getting a newcomer plan, language testing and classes, job support, translation services, workshops, and more.
- Calgary Catholic Immigration Society also provides settlement and integration services.
Ottawa: Educational hub and quality of life
Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, has a vibrant arts and culture scene and plenty of opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. It’s a green, environmentally friendly city that is also very diverse: one in four Ottawa residents is an immigrant.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: Aerospace, Defence and Security; Clean Technologies, Communications Technology, Digital Media, Education, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Public Administration, Rural, Software, Tourism
- The average salary in Ottawa is CAD$72,833 per year or CAD$35.02 per hour
- Quality of education
- Ottawa offers high-quality English and French education in public, Catholic or private schools
- Public school is free for residents, while Catholic and private schools have a cost
- All children aged 6 to 18 are legally required to go to school
- You can choose whether you’d like to send your child to public or Catholic school, with the language of instruction being English or French. Then, your child must attend the corresponding school located in your neighbourhood.
- Top universities in Ottawa: University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Ottawa University, Dominican University College
- Community support services
- The Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) offers free Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC).
- English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) classes are also offered by many organisations, including schools, libraries and churches
- Ottawa’s government website offers information for immigrants about Reasons to Live in Ottawa, Before You Arrive, After You Arrive, Working in Ottawa, and Learning and Living
- The OCISO website offers services for immigrants including Get Settled, Learn English, Find a Job, Counselling, Youth Services, and Community Connections
Halifax: Welcoming communities and natural beauty
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is a beautiful coastal city known for its gardens, parks and hiking trails. It is home to a diverse population and is one of the more affordable cities to live in Canada.
- Employment prospects
- Top industries: IT, Gaming, and Digital Media; Financial Services, Ocean Economy, Cleantech, Life Sciences, Transportation and Logistics
- The average salary in Halifax is CAD$63,082 per year or CAD$30.33 per hour
- Quality of education
- Primary and secondary school students are guaranteed a place in their designated public school based on their address
- You can check your designated school on the Halifax Regional Centre for Education’s school finder
- There are French immersion programs available in English schools
- Community support services
- The Halifax Immigration Partnership has an online Newcomer’s Guide to Halifax with resources on Banking, Health, Housing, Social Services, Transportation, Education, Working, Networking, Finding a Job, Community, and Immigration & Settlement
Considerations in choosing a city
Aside from the practical considerations explored above, you may also want to consider:
- Local weather
- Big city vs. small town
- Multicultural neighbourhoods
- Cultural activities
- Public transportation
- Languages spoken
- Nature and wildlife
- Travel routes to your home country
- Whether you already have family or friends in a certain city
Where do most immigrants settle in Canada?
The top three
Most immigrants settle in one of Canada’s three largest cities:
- Toronto, Ontario
- Montreal, Quebec
- Vancouver, British Columbia
Popular provinces for newcomers
Ontario is by far the most popular Canadian province for new immigrants: in 2023, it received more immigrants than British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan combined.
Finding your new home in Canada
Key points
It’s important to do your research before deciding which city in Canada to move to with your family. Job opportunities, affordability, educational opportunities, and community support services are all factors that will influence your family’s ability to thrive.
Making an informed decision
Canada’s federal and local governments offer numerous free online resources for people who are considering moving to the country. Take advantage of these resources so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best city to live in Canada as an immigrant?
Toronto is the city that most immigrants choose to move to. However, the best city for you will depend on a variety of factors, including the industry you wish to work in, the cost of living you can afford, the languages you speak, what size city you want to live in, local weather conditions, and more.
What is the best province to live in Canada for immigrants?
Most immigrants to Canada decide to move to Ontario. However, the best province for you will depend on a variety of factors, such as your income, budget, language abilities, and personal preferences.
Where is the best place to stay in Canada for immigrants?
Choosing where to live is a very personal decision. You’ll want to consider factors like the local job market, the cost of living, the quality of education, the languages spoken, weather conditions, and whether you prefer an urban or rural lifestyle. Wherever you decide, Canada is known for its welcoming attitude toward newcomers.