Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

These Are The Best Cities In Canada For Getting Rich & Here's Where You'll Want To Live

They offer the best opportunities and high incomes to help you get there.💰

Cars on a road in Burlington, Ontario. Right: Canadian bills in a wallet.

Cars on a road in Burlington, Ontario. Right: Canadian bills in a wallet.

Writer

A new report has determined the best cities in Canada for getting rich, and if you're looking to live a wealthier lifestyle, you might want to consider moving.

Personal finance site Yore Oyster compiled a list of the top small cities in the country for financial success based on factors like income, work opportunities, and economic growth.

The spots that made the list may come as a surprise, with many only having populations of around 100,000-200,000 people, and some even coming in with less than 100,000 residents.

The list features cities that are attracting more people and businesses, with each ranked according to its median household income after taxes, the monthly cost of living, and its GDP per capita.

According to the report, the two best small cities to get rich in are Oakville and Burlington – both of which are in Ontario.

"Oakville is all about economic opportunity, growth and success, no matter what industry sector you represent. The city’s economic indicators show the big picture: from nearly full employment to higher-than-average household incomes," says Yore Oyster.

The city ranked number one thanks to its high median income ($95,035 after taxes) and GDP growth rate of 3%.

According to personal finance site The Balance, the GDP growth rate is a signifier of a healthy economy, and an ideal growth rate is around 2-3%.

Burlington came second with a median income of $93,588 after taxes and a GDP per capita of $58,275.

The city's "pro-business culture has enabled companies from Canada and around the globe to leverage unique opportunities while drawing from one of the highest educated and skilled workforces in the region," says Yore Oyster.

In third on the list is Saskatoon, with a median income of $77,500 and a GDP per capita of $64,447. The city ranked highly thanks to its central location in the country and its abundance of grants and funding for entrepreneurs.

"The lower cost of living in the city also makes a large difference," says the report. The cost of living in the city per month is $2,061, a much lower number than that of Oakville ($2,984) and Burlington ($2,923).

The best cities for getting rich in Canada

Here are 20 small cities that offer the best opportunities and means for getting rich in Canada, according to the report:

  1. Oakville
  2. Burlington
  3. Saskatoon
  4. Regina
  5. Barrie
  6. St. John's
  7. Saanich
  8. Waterloo
  9. Guelph
  10. Sherbrooke
  11. Kamloops
  12. Greater Sudbury
  13. Lethbridge
  14. Kingston
  15. Thunder Bay
  16. Levis
  17. Kelowna
  18. Trois Rivières
  19. Nanaimo
  20. St. Catharines

What are the best cities in Canada to live in? 

One city on the list was also recently singled out as one of the best places to live in Canada.

Moving site MoveHub named seven cities "the best places to live" for several different needs, including food and drink, rural escapes, families, affordable property, culture, climate and job opportunities.

Burlington, which ranked second on the list of the best cities for getting rich, was also named the best city in Canada to live in for its climate.

"It’s on roughly the same latitude as New Hampshire – definitely one of the colder American states, but nothing compared to the 'real Canadian winter,'" said MoveHub.

Not only can you grow your wealth here, but it looks like you'll also be able to enjoy better weather than other parts of the country!

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Contributing Writer

    Katherine Caspersz (she/her) is a contributing writer for Narcity Media, covering travel, things to do and more. She has written for various news sites and magazines, including Yahoo Canada and The National Post, and worked as an editor for the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail. She loves shopping, travel and all things spooky.

Canada's best places to live were ranked and Toronto didn't even crack the top 10

From coastal charm to Rocky Mountain views, these cities have what Toronto doesn't. 👀

8 romantic fall dates around Ottawa to enjoy with your boo for $30 or less

The perfect fall date doesn't have to cost a lot. 🧡🎃

Canada was ranked the best country in the world to move to and the US got left in the dust

It was voted the top "dream destination" worldwide for quality of life, jobs & more. 🇨🇦