Explore The 10 Best Places to Live in Ontario in 2025

Are you trying to locate the best places to live in Ontario, Canada? Ontario has a quality of life rating of 159.68, making it a friendly place for all. The city is distinguished from others by its welcoming, multiethnic, and top-notch technological infrastructure. A wellspring of natural beauty rests peacefully in the lap of Ontario, the second-largest province in the country.

The top ten places to live in Ontario in 2025 are highlighted below, ranging from peaceful university towns to busy metropolis districts. These places are ideal for meeting the needs of students, whether they are looking for cost, community, or convenience.

Read Also: 23 Best New Year Resolutions For Students

10 Best Places to Live in Ontario Canada

With its exceptional infrastructure, car factories, and cutting-edge technology, Ontario has established itself as a leader in the country. The province is also renowned for its love of life and respect for variety; the state takes part in celebrations of festivals such as the Canadian Aboriginal Festival, Oktoberfest, and Caribbean Carnival.

1. Ottawa

• Living expenses: CA $2,859 per person
• The Rideau Canal, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Canadian War Museum are tourist attractions.

The best art and culture can be found in Ottawa, which encourages people to pursue their goals. It offers a variety of employment options and is renowned for being the greatest location to live in Ontario, Canada. People can enjoy this center of cultural diversity and legacy because of the city’s well-known excellent standard of living.

Among the best places to live in Ontario is Ottawa, which is also known for its excellent educational system and top-notch colleges. Thus, there are plenty of excellent student housing options in Ottawa if you intend to relocate here.

2. Toronto

• The cost of living in Toronto is CA$4,425 per person.
• Tourist Destinations: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the CN Tower

The largest city in Canada, Toronto, is located in South Ontario. One of the best places to live in Ontario, the city is well-known for its vibrancy and the limitless options it provides for its citizens. Toronto offers more than simply educational and professional opportunities. It’s a fascinating city to live in because of the Royal Ontario Museum, vibrant festivals, and a variety of cuisines.

Toronto stands out from other Canadian cities thanks to its distinctive services, despite the price. Take advantage of the numerous discounts and offers by making a reservation with us if you are a student looking to relocate to Ontario, Canada’s top destination to live.

3. Waterloo

• The cost of living in Waterloo is CA$2000 per person.
• Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, Laurel Creek Conservation, and Waterloo Park are tourist attractions.

Waterloo is one of the best places to live in Ontario and is frequently referred to as the Silicon Valley of Canada. Some of the best and most brilliant minds from all over the world come to the city because it is a center of creativity and innovation. Customers will appreciate Waterloo’s diversity, which includes Conestoga Mall, Waterloo Town Square, St. Jacob’s Market, and SmartCentres Waterloo.

UpTown and the Boardwalk provide a variety of choices. Locals take pleasure in recreation facilities including RIM Park and parks like Waterloo Park and Bechtel Park. This premier location in Ontario offers a first-rate educational system that guarantees students have the abilities they need to begin their professional careers.

Read Also: Honours vs Bachelor Degree: Which Is Better?

4. Oakville

• The cost of living in Oakville: CA $1,35 per person
• Tourist Destinations: Gairloch Gardens, Bronte Heritage Park, and Lion’s Valley Park

Oakville is a city on the shores of Lake Ontario that is regarded as one of the best places to live in Ontario due to its affordable cost of living. Oakville is well known for its dedication to clean living, great quality of life, and safety. It has excellent educational opportunities, a vibrant cultural environment, and wealthy communities like Old Oakville and Millionaire’s Row.

People with a taste for modern art can pursue their enthusiasm in this finest place to live in Ontario, which is renowned for its many galleries and performing arts center. Because of its proximity to Toronto, the city is a great place for students to find homes in Ontario.

5. Kingston

The cost of living in Kingston per person is CA $2,580.
Tourist Destinations: Lemoine Point Conservation Area, Lake Ontario Park, and Fort Henry National Historic Site

One of the best places to live in Ontario is Kingston, sometimes known as the Limestone City. From art galleries and historical buildings to museums and theaters like the Grand Theatre and Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, Kingston has a lot to offer visitors.

Take part in outdoor activities, sports at Leon’s Centre, festivals, and more. Everyone can find something they like. It is one of the nicest locations in Ontario, and its beauty is enhanced by some of the best limestone structures. Kingston residents are drawn to some of the city’s best spots because they provide charming waterfront vistas.

6. Guelph

• The cost of living in Guelph: $2,850 per person
• Riverside Park and the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate are popular tourist attractions.

Guelph’s proximity to important cities like Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, and Toronto increases its allure for both business and pleasure. Due to its good connectivity via Highway 401 and accessibility via public transit, it is one of the best places to live in Ontario.

The River Run Centre, the Art Gallery of Guelph, the historic downtown, and the Guelph Lake Conservation Area are among the attractions. Guelph is a pleasant place to live in Ontario if you want to pursue studies in the professions of engineering, veterinary medicine, or agriculture.

Read Also: Top 13 Toughest Exams in the World 2024

7. Thunder Bay

• The cost of living in Thunder Bay is CA $2,385 per person.
• Tourist Destinations: Mount McKay, Hillcrest Park, and Fort William Historical Park

One of the greatest and most affordable places to live in Ontario is Thunder Bay, which boasts stunning lakes and unspoiled landscapes. It is regarded as one of the best locations to live in Ontario since it is reasonably priced, has beautiful scenery, is convenient for families, and is a short commute.

Activities like kayaking and swimming are ideal on the stunning beachfront. Lively events with food trucks and vendors are held at Marina Park. It is the best place to live in Ontario, Canada, in large part because of the inexpensive cost of living.

8. Burlington

• The cost of living in Burlington is CA$3454 per person.
• Tourist Destinations: Mapleview Shopping Center, Royal Botanical Gardens, and Burlington Waterfront Trail

Burlington is one of the best places to live in Ontario, according to the Globe and Mail, which ranks it as the most livable city in Ontario and fifth in Canada. Burlington thrived in raising children, attracting young professionals, and serving as a retirement destination, according to the survey, which assessed cities based on their economies, safety, and housing costs.

This finest place to live in Ontario, Canada, is located on the eastern bank of Lake Champlain and features hip eateries and pubs, vintage stores, and art galleries. Students can benefit from a smaller, more intimate community while still having access to everything that a big city has to offer because of its proximity to Toronto.

9. Hamilton

• The cost of living in Hamilton: CA$3,232/person
• Tourist Attractions: Waterfalls of Hamilton, Bayfront Park, and Dundurn Castle;

One of the best places to live in Ontario is Hamilton, a port city in Canada located on the western shore of Lake Ontario. The city is well-known for its chemical engineering and steel agribusiness sectors and for its distinctive fusion of urban and natural features. Steel, manufacturing, education, technology, and services are the main drivers of Hamilton’s varied economy, which has recently expanded thanks to creative start-ups.

This is the best area to live in Ontario, Canada, where McMaster University, which is ranked fourth in the country, is located. The city is close to more than 100 waterfalls and the Bruce Trail. The largest botanical garden in Canada, the Royal Botanical Gardens, is a component of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve and boasts an extensive plant collection.

10. Markham

• The cost of living in Markham is CA$3,787 per person.
• Tourist Destinations: Pomona Mills Park, Varley Art Gallery, and Markham Museum

One of the best places to live in Ontario is the Markham Fair, which is hosted by the Agricultural Society and attracts 80,000 visitors a year. The city has a museum, a library, indoor pools, skating rinks, and hiking and cycling trails. CF Markville Mall has more than 140 businesses, while historic neighborhoods have 200-year-old buildings converted into shops.

With a varied dining scene that includes Asian, Indian, and Italian cuisines, it is regarded as one of the best locations to live in Ontario. The city is also well known for being the second-largest tech cluster in Canada and for playing a significant role in Ontario’s innovation corridor.

Read Also: What Is Greek Life? A Complete Guide to Sororities & Fraternities

To sum up, Ontario has a staggering variety of cities and towns that appeal to students looking for affordable, high-quality education and exciting lifestyles. Every location, from the busy streets of Toronto and Ottawa to the tranquil charm of Kingston and Guelph, offers special advantages catered to the requirements of students. These cities are home to prestigious universities, multicultural neighborhoods, and lots of chances for networking and personal development.

Ontario offers the ideal setting for both academic achievement and life experiences, regardless of your preference for the tranquil atmosphere of a smaller community or the cultural diversity of a major metropolis. These locations are even more alluring due to their booming local economies, accessible public transportation, and reasonably priced housing.

Take into account each city’s options, resources, and way of life when organizing your academic path. Living in one of the best places to live in Ontario, the most student-friendly communities means more than just studying; it means laying the groundwork for your future. In this vibrant province, explore, make informed decisions, and create genuinely unforgettable student years!