Explore The 10 Best Places to Live in Ontario in 2025

Wondering if you can find the best place to live in Ontario Canada? With a quality of life index of 159.68, Ontario stands out as a place that accepts all. The city is known for its warm, multi-ethnic, and world-class technological system that makes it stand out from the rest. Ontario is the second largest province in the nation, with a reservoir of natural beauty sitting silently in its lap. So, without further ado, let’s travel to the land of The Rockies and exotic Sauble beaches and explore the best places to live in Ontario. 

10 Best Places to Live in Ontario

Ontario has made its mark in the nation with its outstanding infrastructure, automobile manufacturing units, and leading-edge technology. The province is also known for its enthusiasm for living life and honoring diversity; the state participates in celebrating festivals like Caribbean Carnival, Oktoberfest, and the Canadian Aboriginal Festival. So, here are the 10 best places to live in Ontario to pick your ideal stay next.

1. Ottawa

Cost of Living: CA$2,859/person
Quality of Life: 181.35
Known For: Economic Opportunities & Lifestyle
Tourist Attractions: Canadian War Museum, Rideau Canal, & Canadian Museum of History

Ottawa is home to the finest art and culture that inspires people to turn their dreams into reality. Famously known for the best place to live in Ontario Canada, it provides a range of job opportunities. The city is known for its high standard of living, which allows people to experience this hub of cultural diversity and heritage. The outstanding educational system and universities that offer world-class education are another reason that makes Ottawa one of the best places to live in Ontario. So, if you’re planning to move here, you can find many good Ottawa student housing options as well.

2. Toronto

Cost of Living: CA$4,425/person
Quality of Life: 177.68
Known For: Education and Entertainment
Tourist Attractions: CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, & Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Situated in South Ontario, Toronto is the largest city in Canada. The city is famous for its energy and the endless opportunities that it offers to its residents, making it one of the best places to live in Ontario. Toronto boasts more than just career and educational prospects. The Royal Ontario Museum, lively festivals, and diverse cuisines make it an exciting city to live in. Despite the cost, Toronto’s unique offerings make it stand out among other Canadian cities. If you are a student and planning to move to this best place to live in Ontario Canada, then take advantage of the many offers and deals by booking with us for discounted rates and other offers. 

3. Waterloo

Cost of Living: CA$2000/person
Quality of Life: 177.99
Known For: Outstanding Educational System
Tourist Attractions: Waterloo Park, Laurel Creek Conservation, & Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Canada, Waterloo is considered one of the best places to live in Ontario. The city is a hub of creativity and innovation that attracts some of the greatest and brightest minds from around the world. Shoppers will love the variety in Waterloo, featuring SmartCentres Waterloo, St. Jacob’s Market, Waterloo Town Square, and Conestoga Mall. The Boardwalk and UpTown offer diverse options. Residents enjoy parks like Waterloo Park and Bechtel Park and recreation centers such as RIM Park. Theis best place in Ontario provides a top-class educational system ensures that students are equipped with the necessary skills to start their professional careers. 

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4. Oakville

Cost of Living: CA$1,351/person
Quality of Life: 193.04
Known For: Cost of Living
Tourist Attractions: Lion’s Valley Park, Bronte Heritage Park, & Gairloch Gardens
Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville is considered one of the best places to live in Ontario, mainly because of its low cost of living. Oakville is renowned for its safety, exceptional quality of life, and commitment to clean living. It offers top-notch education, a thriving cultural scene, and affluent neighborhoods like Millionaire's Row and Old Oakville. This best place to live in Ontario is known as a hub for performing arts and numerous galleries where people with an eye for modern art can practice their passion. The city is close to Toronto, making it an ideal location for students to find housing in Ontario.

5. Kingston

Cost of Living: CA$2,580/person
Quality of Life: 192.89
Known For: Culture and Food
Tourist Attractions: Fort Henry National Historic Site, Lake Ontario Park, & Lemoine Point Conservation Area
Known as the Limestone City, Kingston is considered one of the best places to live in Ontario. Kingston offers a variety of attractions, from museums and historic sites to art galleries and theaters like the Grand Theatre and Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts. Enjoy festivals, sports at Leon’s Centre, outdoor activities, and more. There's truly something for everyone. One of the good places in Ontario, it has some of the best limestone buildings, which adds to its beauty. Some of the prime locations of Kingston offer picturesque waterfront views that capture the attention of its people. 

6. Guelph

Cost of Living: CA$2,850/person
Quality of Life: 186.95
Known For: Economic Growth and Education
Tourist Attractions: Riverside Park & Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate
Guelph is near major cities like Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Cambridge, enhancing its business and leisure appeal. One of the best places to live in Ontario, it has excellent connectivity via Highway 401 and public transit makes it accessible. Attractions include Guelph Lake Conservation Area, historic downtown, River Run Centre, and Art Gallery of Guelph. If you are seeking education in the fields of agriculture, veterinary medicine, and engineering, you can opt for Guelph, one of the nice places to live in Ontario.

7. Thunder Bay

Cost of Living: CA$2,385/person
Quality of Life: 82
Known For: Affordable Living
Tourist Attractions: Fort William Historical Park, Hillcrest Park, & Mount McKay
With beautiful lakes and pristine scenery, Thunder Bay is one of the best and cheapest places to live in Ontario. Known as one of the great places to live in Ontario, it offers affordability, scenic beauty, a short commute, and a family-friendly atmosphere. The breathtaking waterfront is perfect for activities like swimming and kayaking. Marina Park hosts lively events with food trucks and vendors. The low cost of living plays an important role in making it the best place to live in Ontario Canada.

8. Burlington

Cost of Living: CA$3454/person
Quality of Life: 193.54
Known For: Public art, vibrant culture, & active living
Tourist Attractions: Burlington Waterfront Trail, Royal Botanical Gardens, & Mapleview Shopping Center
Burlington is ranked the top livable city in Ontario and 5th in Canada by the Globe and Mail, making it one of the best places to live in Ontario. The study evaluated cities on economy, safety, and housing costs, with Burlington excelling in raising kids, welcoming young professionals, and as a retirement destination. Situated on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, this best place to live in Ontario Canada boasts trendy restaurants and bars, art galleries, and vintage shops. Its proximity to Toronto enables students to enjoy the benefits of a smaller, close-knit community while still having access to all that a major city has to offer. 

9. Hamilton

Cost of Living: CA$3,232/person
Quality of Life: 172.13
Known For: Industrial heritage
Tourist Attractions: Dundurn Castle, Bayfront Park, & Waterfalls of Hamilton
Hamilton, a Canadian port city on the western tip of Lake Ontario, is one of the best places to live in Ontario. Known for its steel agri-business and chemical engineering industries, the city boasts a unique blend of urban and natural elements. Hamilton boasts a diverse economy driven by steel, manufacturing, education, tech, and services, with recent growth from innovative start-ups. In fact, this best place to live in Ontario, Canada, is home to McMaster University, ranked fourth in Canada. The city is near the Bruce Trail and over 100 waterfalls. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada’s largest, features a vast collection of plants and is part of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve.

10. Markham

Cost of Living: CA$3,787/person
Quality of Life: 181.14
Known For: Cultural Diversity
Tourist Attractions: Markham Museum, Varley Art Gallery, & Pomona Mills Park
Markham Fair draws 80,000 visitors annually, organized by the Agricultural Society, making it one of the best places to live in Ontario. The city offers hiking and cycling trails, indoor pools, skating rinks, a museum, and a library. Historic districts feature 200-year-old buildings turned into shops, while CF Markville Mall boasts 140+ stores. Known as one of the great places to live in Ontario, it has a diverse dining including Asian, Indian, and Italian cuisines. The city is also renowned as Canada’s second-largest tech cluster and a crucial contributor to Ontario’s innovation corridor. 

Seamless Booking with amber in Ontario!

The best places to live in Ontario offer several student housings; however, if you book at the last minute, it is very difficult to get the ones you like at budget-friendly prices. This makes it very necessary to book your housing in these best places to live in Ontario as early as possible! Amber will help you throughout the booking process! With amber, you can choose from an exclusive range of comfortable and chic student housing in Ontario at pocket-friendly prices!

This was our list of the top 10 best places to live in Ontario. These cities are known for the unique value and quality they offer students. So pack your bags and get ready to settle in one of the best places to live in Ontario now!