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.”

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