If you’re thinking about a career move in Canada and want a place with a great lifestyle, strong job market, and rich culture, consider these top 10 best cities in Canada for full time jobs.
We’ve chosen these cities because they have high rates of full-time jobs. This means a good chunk of their people work at least 30 hours a week for most of the year. It’s a sign of steady jobs, decent earnings, and general well-being in these areas.
We don’t just look at job rates. We also check out each city’s population, family income, how happy people are there, and living costs. This info can help you pick the city that fits what you’re looking for.
Here’s our list of the top 10 cities in Canada for full-time jobs, using the latest info from Statistics Canada, Trading Economics, and Rentals.ca.
Top 10 Cities in Canada for Full-time Jobs in 2024
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is a significant city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It’s not only the capital but also the second biggest city there. Around 202,700 people live in Regina, making it quite lively. This city is known for being a key place for culture and business activities in Saskatchewan. It’s like a central point where lots of innovative ideas and learning happen.
You’ll find important educational institutions. The University of Regina is there, known for its great programs and research. Also, the Saskatchewan Polytechnic is located in Regina, offering practical and technical education.
Besides these, the city hosts various research centers and institutes, making it a hub for new discoveries and advancements in various fields.
Some of the benefits of living and working in Regina include:
- Population: 202,700.
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 57.2%.
- Median Family Income: $96,080.
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.94.
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $990.45.
- Average dinner for two: $55.50.
- Monthly transit pass: $84.
Guelph, Ontario
Guelph is a city in the southwestern part of Ontario, Canada. It’s a place where around 131,200 people live. This city is famous for its long history, lovely buildings, and lots of parks and green areas.
Guelph is also very good at taking care of the environment, coming up with new ideas, and helping its community grow. It’s home to the University of Guelph, which is one of the best universities in Canada for lots of different subjects.
Why Guelph?
- Population: 131,200
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 55.9%
- Median Family Income: $84,230
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.85
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,055.56
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $77.50
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Ontario
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo is a big city area in southern Ontario, It’s made up of three cities that are close to each other and are the main part of the Waterloo Region.
This area is lively and full of different kinds of people. It has a rich history, a strong sense of community, and a lot of cultural activities.
It’s also known for being a place where new ideas are born and where people learn a lot. It has some important schools like the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College.
Why you should work and live in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo:
- Population: 428,200
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 55.3%
- Median Family Income: $84,380
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.88
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $948.15
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $82
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton is the main city and the second biggest city in Alberta, Canada. It’s the farthest north big city in North America and acts as an entrance to the oil sands and other natural resources in the area.
Edmonton is also an important place for culture, learning, and new ideas. It is home to the University of Alberta and MacEwan University. The city also has lots of festivals and events throughout the year.
Why Edmonton is one of the best cities in Canada to work full time:
- Population: 1,127,400
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 54.2%
- Median Family Income: $101,470 (highest on list)
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.87
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,162.07
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $91.50
- Economic Sectors: Energy, manufacturing, construction, education, health care
- Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta, with a population of about 1,230,200 people. It is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and western culture.
Calgary is also a major economic hub, with a concentration of corporate headquarters, especially in the oil and gas industry. Calgary is home to Canada’s prestigious universities, and several other educational and research institutions.
- Population: 1,230,200
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.9%
- Median Family Income: $100,320 (second-highest on list)
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.81
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,063.64
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $106 (highest on the list)
- Economic Sectors: Energy, finance, transportation, technology, tourism
- Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
- Educational Institutions: University of Calgary, Mount Royal University
Oshawa, Ontario
Oshawa, in southern Ontario situated on Lake Ontario’s shore, it’s part of the Greater Toronto Area. The city is recognized for its automotive industry, notably housing General Motors Canada’s headquarters and assembly plant.
Oshawa is also a hub for education and healthcare, with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College, and Lakeridge Health Oshawa located there.
Oshawa is on our list of best cities in Canada for full time jobs, here’s why:
- Population: 159,500
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.8%
- Median Family Income: $78,790
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.82
- The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: is $1,000
- Average dinner for two: $55
- Monthly transit pass: $106.50
- Key Industries: Automotive, education, health care.
- Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
- Educational Institutions: University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College
Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City, the capital and second-largest city in Quebec. As one of North America’s oldest cities, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Known for its cultural and historical significance, Quebec City attracts tourists with landmarks like the Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, and the Winter Carnival.
It’s also a hub for government, education, and research, hosting the National Assembly of Quebec, Laval University, and various research institutes.
Why Quebec City?
- Population: 531,900
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.7%
- Median Family Income: $76,450
- Life Satisfaction Score: 8.01 (highest on the list)
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $800
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $89.50
- Location: UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Economic Sectors: Public administration, tourism, manufacturing, technology, education
- Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
- Educational Institutions: Laval University
Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John is the largest city in New Brunswick located on the Bay of Fundy, and is the oldest incorporated city in Canada.
Saint John is a centre of industry, trade, and tourism, with a busy port, a historic downtown, and natural attractions such as the Reversing Falls.
Saint John is also a centre of education and health care, hosting the University of New Brunswick Saint John, the New Brunswick Community College, and the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Reason and benefits of living and working in Saint John:
- Population: 67,600
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.6%
- Median Family Income: $69,910
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.83
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $700
- Average dinner for two: $50
- Monthly transit pass: $66 (lowest on the list)
- Unemployment Rate: 5.7%.
Ottawa-Gatineau, Ontario/Quebec
Ottawa-Gatineau is a metropolitan area that spans the border of Ontario and Quebec, with a combined population of about 1,236,300 people. It is composed of the national capital of Ottawa and the neighbouring city of Gatineau.
It is a centre of government, politics, and culture, hosting the Parliament of Canada, the Supreme Court of Canada, and several national museums and galleries.
It is also a centre of technology, education, and research, hosting the National Research Council, the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and the Université du Québec en Outaouais.
Why should you consider Ottawa-Gatineau?
- Population: 1,236,300
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.5%
- Median Family Income: $91,440
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.86
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,100
- Average dinner for two: $60
- Monthly transit pass: $116.5 (second highest)
- Unemployment Rate: 5.8%.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is the largest and most populous city in Canada. It is the capital of Ontario and the financial and cultural centre of the country.
Toronto is a global city, with a diverse and multicultural population, a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and a high quality of life.
Toronto is also a hub of innovation and education, hosting the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, and several other colleges and universities.
Some of the benefits of living and working in Toronto include:
- Population: 2,731,600
- Full-Time Employment Rate: 53.4%
- Median Family Income: $78,280
- Life Satisfaction Score: 7.77
- Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,800
- Average dinner for two: $70
- Monthly transit pass: $156 (highest on the list)
- Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
Bottomline
While the general trends in job growth in Canada point to an increase in part-time jobs, there are still plenty of full-time jobs.
We have looked at the top 10 cities for full-time work and compared the population of each city, median family income, life satisfaction, and average cost of rent, dinner, and transportation.
We hope this will help you on making decision on where to work and live in Canada.
References & Links
- New Canadian Life – Helpful information for anyone moving to Canada.
- Trading Economics
- Rentals.ca
- Canadianvisa.org
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