The Best Canadian Cities to Raise a Family in 2025

Man and boy on his shoulder holding Canadian Flag. — Getty Images

As the real estate market shifts across the country, many Canadians considering buying their first home or moving to a different place. Keeping your eye on the best Canadian cities to raise a family in is simply smart planning.

Maybe you’re just contemplating the possibility of your own family. Maybe you’re expecting your first baby in a while. Or maybe you already have a condo full of tots and are thinking about a relocation, like, yesterday.

There’s a so much to consider when looking for the ideal locale for families in Canada.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Real estate and rentals need to be within budgets, and readily available. Are salaries comparable? Is the new city in a daycare dry-zone or are there plenty of spots with minimal waitlists?

Do the local schools have good reputations and, ideally, are they well funded by local governments? Are there nearby universities or colleges for easy-to-access post-secondary opportunities?

What does the cost of food look like there? A family of four will spend an average of $1,360 on groceries every month (according to Canada’s Food Price Report 2024). But in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta that amount can climb quickly.

Two year old girl with the sweetest, biggest smile. — Getty Images

The “Little Things” Can Become Big Things

Regular outdoor activities is so key to kids’ mental and physical wellbeing that easy access to pools, parks, soccer fields and ball courts is a must. Health care accessibility would also be a major deciding factor. There are a number of Canadian cities where getting a dedicated family doctor is a faraway dream…way further away than the nearest walk-in clinic.

General city safety and an easy-to-navigate public transport are also important considerations, especially as kids become older and more independent. And all of that is before you even add in the proximity to extended family or close friends who could potentially be that “village” for your kids. So, yeah, a lot to think about!

Now, before we all get overwhelmed, let’s break down some numbers that might help narrow the playing fields. We’ve looked across Canada and compared the stats to come up with some top contenders as the Best Canadian Cities to Raise a Family in 2025.

*Notes on the numbers:

The populations and house prices are rounded to the nearest $100. Rental prices are rounded to the closest $10. These numbers are the most accurate that could be found at the time of publishing.
Since official 2025 StatsCan numbers can’t yet be calculated, many of these numbers are estimates based on recent calculations.
Population counts include the greater metropolitan areas.
The Crime Severity Index (CSI) measures crime reported relative to the population of a specific region (expressed per 100,000 people). More severe crimes are given more weight in the calculations.

Best Canadian Cities to Raise a Family in 2025:

brother and sister enjoy an evening at the beach. — Getty Images

1. Charlottetown, PEI

Population: 78,900
Median age: 41
Median house price: $465,500
Median rent/2 bedroom: $2,200
Crime Severity Index (CSI): 86.6

It’s hard not to fall for Charlottetown’s coastal charms. Its historical city centre features rows of bright, quirky (and, oftentimes, beautifully renovated) heritage homes. PEI’s famous red-sand beaches are at its doorstep, and the seafood — with a side of potato galettes — couldn’t be fresher.

Rental prices have been steadily climbing over the past few years but are still well below those in bigger cities. Lot sizes also tend to be quite generous with the median lot size clocking in at 527 m. Music, arts festivals and community celebrations are a big part of the cultural fabric of Charlottetown. Here, children are always welcome.

It does fall short in one very important area, though: healthcare. The latest StatsCan data from 2024 shows PEI ranked last among Canadian provinces for accessing a regular health-care provider. People can always get emergency care at local hospitals, of course. But do be mindful there may be waitlists for family physicians.

Mom playing together with daughter outdoors with sunset coastline scenery. — Getty Images

2. Halifax, NS

Population: 465,700
Median age: 39
Median house price: $618,700
Median rent/2 bedroom: $2,570
CSI: 74

Tucked down at the end of a sheltered harbour on Canada’s East Coast, Halifax has a lot to offer young families. A stunning waterfront, expansive parks, and top-notch schools (lower and higher education) just to name of few. Add in its low cost of living (compared to Canada’s other major cities), the safety of its streets, and the strong community vibes and it’s no wonder it’s in a population boom right now. So, move soon!

On top of that, 83 per cent of Haligonians have access to a primary health-care provider. Now, thanks to that aforementioned immigration boom, house prices have been steadily climbing. But they are still nowhere near the astronomical price tags listed in other top-tier Canadian cities. (We’re looking at you Toronto and Vancouver!)

Mother and daughter playing soccer by the lake.View from the car. The camping tent is setup ready for the night. — Getty Images

3. Sherbrooke, QC

Population: 151,200
Median age: 41
Median house price: $482,300
Median rent/2 bedroom: $1,300
CSI: 56.3

As the hometown of liberal arts college Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke already has a big advantage. Its population is young and educated. Your kids would have access to some of the brightest (oftentimes, bilingual) minds in the country. They would be their piano teachers, camp counsellors, or math tutors.

Sherbrooke has a bevy of fun cafes and restaurants, well-maintained parks (perfect for experiencing Canada’s four seasons), and lively arts scene. Crime rates are very low, with the some of the lowest child and partner crime in the country. (Brutal, but important to think about.)

Oh, and thanks to Quebec’s visionary childcare policy, daycare for all kids under the age of five is $9.35 a day. And that is reason alone to put Sherbrooke as one of the best Canadian cities to raise a family in 2025.

A family skating on the ice in Ottawa. — Getty Images

4. Ottawa, ON

Population: 1,017,500
Median age: 40
Median house Price: $634,300
Median rent/2 bedroom: $2,450
CSI: 55.8

There’s no denying that Canada’s capital, Ottawa, is one of the best cities to raise a family. Being the political heart of country alone could snatch it that honour. But there’s oh so much more to O-Town.

Pollution and crime are low, while the quantity of public libraries is high (it’s 33!). Ādisōke, the new, net-zero carbon Ottawa Public Library due to open in 2026, features a children’s reading and crafts area, a special makers space, and a café. (And after the sixth reading of The Snail and the Whale, a fresh latte would be very welcome!)

Public transit is efficient and reliable, with a fifth of the population commuting to work via bus each day. Neighbourhoods are generally walkable, and parks are well maintained and clean, thanks to the city’s Capital status. Being right across the bridge from Gatineau means that opportunities for the kids to practice their bilingualism are endless.

The main drawback is the extreme temperature span, with the winters leaping down to -25°C and summers soaring up to 35°C. Make sure your new home has a reliable HVAC system and make friends with neighbour with kids a bit older than yours for winter gear hand-me-downs!

A beautiful little girl, three years old, smiles as she sits on a charming, rustic porch, with her mom. They are enjoying mugs of hot chocolate. — Getty Images

5. Regina, SK

Population: 225,000
Median age: 38
Median house price: $294,000
Median rent/2 bedroom: $1,600
CSI: 104.7

After you combine low housing costs with higher-than-average household income, Regina becomes a top contender as one of the best cities to raise a family in Canada. Surrounded by 80 million acres of cropland, there’s no doubt that here agriculture is king.

But this cool prairie town is more than fields and silos. It’s also a hub for entrepreneurship and has a vibrant artist and makers community. There’s an ongoing rotation of family-friendly community festivals and colourful cultural events to take in.

According to StatsCan 2023, 83 per cent of Regina residents had a primary healthcare provider, which is higher compared to other cities. And, on top of all of that, every child under the age of six is eligible for $10/day daycare.

There’s also a bevy of spots that host a wide variety of children’s programs, such as Saskatchewan Science Centre, Royal Saskatchewan Museum and Wascana Centre Park.

One chilly drawback is that the cold, winter temperatures do tend to stick around. From November until March expect average temperatures in the -10°C to -15°C range.

A woman and her two kids ride bikes in the forest in the sunshine. — Getty Images

6. Lethbridge, AB

Population: 98,400
Median age: 33
Median house price: $439,800
Median rent/2 bedroom: $1,500
CSI: 117.8

Lethbridge has a small-town feel with all the cool amenities you’d expect from a bigger city: great restaurants, museums, live theatre and indoor rec centres.

Just two hours south of Calgary and at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge offers families access to the Big Smoke and big powder. The local ski resort, Pass Powderkeg, is only an hour and a half away, and is also open to mountain bikers in the summer months.

Also, Albertans pay lower provincial taxes than other provinces and housing prices remain comparatively low. Your family’s dollars could stretch more here. However, there is limited public transit and the walkability is lower than other Canadian cities, so a vehicle would be a must.

Loving father holding little kid on hands while standing near water on stony coast near Victoria, BC — Pexels/Tatiana Syrikova

7. Victoria, BC

Population: 405,000
Median age: 43
Median house price: $1,197,500
Median rent/2 bedroom: $2,800
CSI: 71

Even with its high housing costs, Victoria still makes the list as one of the best Canadian cities to raise a family. And there are good reasons.

Firstly, its rare temperate coastal climate means kids can play outside year round without freezing or overheating. And, oh boy, are there stunning places to play on Vancouver Island!

From surfing in Tofino or skiing on Mt. Washington, Victoria is the perfect base to raise your active family. Secondly, as BC’s capital, the infrastructure is well maintained; the transit system is comprehensive and the historic downtown core is really pretty.

Also, schools have a good reputation, with plenty of post-secondary options too, such as UVic and Royal Roads University (aka X-Men’s Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters). And thirdly, the arts scene is alive and well in this small city, giving your youngsters plenty of opportunities to flourish in that area too.

So, now that you know what’s out there — where in Canada will you raise your family?