6 Ontario communities make top 10 best places to live list in Canada

Six Ontario communities cracked a top 10 list of the best places to live in Canada.

Those looking for a home consider not only real estate prices — community safety, jobs and access to healthcare are all important factors, according to a new ranking from real estate brokerage Zolo.

“While it can be tempting to focus only on finding a place you can afford, in reality, many factors go into finding a community where you’ll thrive not just financially but mentally, physically, and professionally,” Zolo notes. “An affordable mortgage payment is great, but if you dislike the city you call home, have a long commute, or can’t find a job at all – is it worth it?”

Zolo’s  Best Places to Live in Canada 2024 report looked at many factors including home prices, household incomes, population growth, unemployment rate, crime rates, access to a primary healthcare provider, sunny days per year and walkability.

The nation’s capital, Ottawa tops the list. With an average home price of $643,700, a population of 1,017,449, average household income of $126,700 and 303 sunny days a year, the city is deemed the best place to live in 2024.

“The Capital city is one of the most affordable cities in Ontario,” the report notes. “Additionally, Ottawa has a low crime severity index and good household income.”

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The other three top places in Ontario include the Simcoe area, the region of Guelph, and the Barrie area.

These areas boast higher-than-average household incomes and lower-than-average unemployment rates, the report notes. They are also less densely populated, perfect for those looking for more space.

Simcoe and district, in southwestern Ontario, has an average income of $110,900 but a lower average home price of $563,500. It’s also much smaller than Ottawa with a population of 533,169.

Guelph and district is ranked third with a population of 165,588, an average home price of $821,200 and 299 sunny days a year.

Barrie and district is fourth with a population of 212,856, a household income of $114,500 and an average home price of $809,400.

Other Ontario cities on the list are the Tillsonburg district, ranked eighth, and Kitchener-Waterloo rounding out the list.

Tillsonburg, in southwestern Ontario, has a lower average home price at $595,800 but a low average income at $87,600.

Kitchener-Waterloo’s average home price is high, at $745,000 but also has a good average income at $122,100.

See the full report here.

Lead photo of Ottawa: Sakoon Pur