Top 10 Canadian Cities for Entrepreneurs to Live in 2025

Top 10 Canadian Cities for Entrepreneurs to Live in 2025

For entrepreneurs seeking the ideal Canadian city to live and thrive, factors such as traffic, cost of living, job opportunities, rent, housing prices, crime rates, and cultural activities play a critical role. This ranking evaluates these aspects to identify the top 10 cities in Canada, tailored for business owners who value affordability, opportunity, and quality of life. All monetary values are in Canadian dollars (CAD), and the analysis draws on recent data to reflect conditions in 2025.

Methodology

Cities were assessed based on the following criteria:

• Traffic: Commute times and public transit accessibility (traffic commute time index).
• Cost of Living: Expenses for groceries, utilities, and transportation, excluding rent.
• Job Opportunities: Availability of jobs, especially in tech, finance, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Rent: Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center.
• Housing Prices: Average home prices or property price-to-income ratio.
• Crime Rates: Crime Severity Index (CSI) or safety index, reflecting violent and non-violent crime.
• Cultural Activities: Access to arts, festivals, museums, and recreational opportunities.

Data is sourced from recent reports, including Mercer’s Cost of Living Survey, Statistics Canada, and real estate analyses, ensuring accuracy for 2025.

Top 10 Cities

1. Calgary, Alberta

• Traffic: Traffic commute time index of 29.1, with extensive urban roads and bike paths. Public transit is efficient, though car dependency is common.
• Cost of Living: Moderate, approximately CAD 1,800–2,300/month (excluding rent). Alberta’s lack of provincial sales tax reduces expenses.
• Job Opportunities: Strong economy in energy, tech, and finance. Calgary ranks 5th on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, with a growing startup scene.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,250 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 588,600, more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver.
• Crime Rates: Crime Severity Index of 72.47, safer than many large cities.
• Cultural Activities: Vibrant arts scene, proximity to the Rocky Mountains, and festivals like the Calgary Stampede.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Low taxes, affordable housing, and a robust job market make Calgary ideal for launching or scaling a business.

2. Ottawa, Ontario

• Traffic: Traffic commute time index of 32.63, with reliable public transit and cycling infrastructure.
• Cost of Living: Moderate, CAD 1,300–1,500/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: As Canada’s capital, Ottawa offers government, tech, and commerce jobs, with a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,779 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 636,700, more affordable than Toronto.
• Crime Rates: Safety index of 68.65, among Canada’s safest cities (CSI 30.4).
• Cultural Activities: Museums, art galleries, and festivals like Winterlude enrich Ottawa’s cultural landscape.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Stable job market, high quality of life, and proximity to Toronto and Montreal make Ottawa a strategic hub.

3. Edmonton, Alberta

• Traffic: Low traffic commute time index of 28.22, with accessible public transit.
• Cost of Living: Affordable, CAD 1,300–1,500/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Diverse economy in technology, healthcare, and oil/gas, with a growing startup community.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,299 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 307,214, highly affordable.
• Crime Rates: Crime index of 46.4, moderate but manageable.
• Cultural Activities: Known as “Canada’s Festival City,” with events like the Edmonton Fringe Festival and access to the Rockies.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Low housing costs and a vibrant cultural scene support business growth and work-life balance.

4. Quebec City, Quebec

• Traffic: Manageable commute times, with a focus on walkability in Old Quebec.
• Cost of Living: Low, CAD 1,200–1,400/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Strong in government, tourism, and tech, with opportunities for bilingual entrepreneurs.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,100–1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Among the lowest in metropolitan areas, with a property price-to-income ratio of ~5.
• Crime Rates: Safety index of 77.66, one of North America’s safest cities.
• Cultural Activities: UNESCO World Heritage Site, with festivals like the Quebec Winter Carnival.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Affordable living and a European charm attract entrepreneurs seeking a unique, safe environment.

5. Winnipeg, Manitoba

• Traffic: Moderate traffic, with a reliable public transit system.
• Cost of Living: Low, CAD 1,200–1,500/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Diverse sectors like technology, manufacturing, and public administration, with a growing IT industry.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,200–1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Affordable, with average home prices around CAD 350,000.
• Crime Rates: Crime index of 42.8, moderate but improving.
• Cultural Activities: Vibrant arts scene with the Winnipeg Art Gallery and festivals like Folklorama.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Low costs and a welcoming community make Winnipeg ideal for startups.

6. Halifax, Nova Scotia

• Traffic: Moderate, with a focus on walkability in downtown areas.
• Cost of Living: Affordable, CAD 1,020–1,300/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Growing tech and education sectors, supported by universities like Dalhousie.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,336 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 564,000, more affordable than major metros.
• Crime Rates: Crime index of 41.05, moderate.
• Cultural Activities: Rich maritime culture, with festivals, museums, and a vibrant music scene.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Affordable housing and a youthful, creative atmosphere foster innovation.

7. Moncton, New Brunswick

• Traffic: Low congestion, with affordable public transit (30–50% cheaper than Toronto).
• Cost of Living: Very low, CAD 1,000–1,200/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Booming tech and customer service sectors, with a low unemployment rate (5.6% in 2024).
• Rent: Average CAD 1,000–1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 300,000–350,000, highly affordable.
• Crime Rates: Low crime rates, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
• Cultural Activities: Festivals and a growing arts scene, with proximity to coastal attractions.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Low costs and a strong job market make Moncton a budget-friendly entrepreneurial hub.

8. Sherbrooke, Quebec

• Traffic: Low congestion, with walkable areas and affordable transit.
• Cost of Living: Low, CAD 900–1,100/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Strong in education and healthcare, with a vibrant student population.
• Rent: Average CAD 900–1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Affordable, with homes averaging CAD 300,000–400,000.
• Crime Rates: Low, with a safe, community-oriented environment.
• Cultural Activities: Mix of French and English culture, with galleries and outdoor recreation.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Affordable living and a bilingual community support small businesses.

9. Thunder Bay, Ontario

• Traffic: Low traffic commute times, with accessible public transit.
• Cost of Living: Low, CAD 1,100–1,300/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Growing in healthcare, education, and transportation, with programs like the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,100–1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 300,000–350,000, among Ontario’s lowest.
• Crime Rates: Higher-than-average crime index, but mitigated by community initiatives.
• Cultural Activities: Natural attractions like Kakabeka Falls and a growing arts scene.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Low housing costs and job growth make it viable for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.

10. Saint John, New Brunswick

• Traffic: Low congestion, with a focus on walkability and affordable transit.
• Cost of Living: Very low, CAD 1,000–1,200/month (excluding rent).
• Job Opportunities: Strong tourism and tech sectors, ideal for remote workers.
• Rent: Average CAD 1,000–1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment.
• Housing Prices: Average home price CAD 250,000–300,000, among Canada’s lowest.
• Crime Rates: Low, with a reputation for community happiness.
• Cultural Activities: Cultural Capital of Canada, with festivals, music, and historic architecture.
• Why for Entrepreneurs?: Extremely affordable housing and a vibrant culture attract creative entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

For entrepreneurs, Canada offers a range of cities that balance affordability with opportunity. Calgary and Ottawa lead due to their strong economies and high quality of life, while smaller cities like Moncton and Saint John offer unbeatable affordability. Quebec City and Sherbrooke provide a unique cultural experience with low costs, ideal for bilingual entrepreneurs. When choosing a city, consider your business needs, lifestyle preferences, and budget to find the perfect fit. These cities prove that Canada remains a top destination for entrepreneurial success in 2025.