The Best 5 Cities in Canada for Young Professionals to Make More Money

Canada is a great country to live and work in, especially if you are a young professional looking for opportunities to grow your career and income. But not all cities are created equal when it comes to offering the best environment for young people to thrive. Some cities have more jobs, better education, lower costs of living, and higher quality of life than others.

So, which are the best Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money? To answer this question, we looked at various factors that affect the economic prospects and well-being of young people, such as:

  • The availability and diversity of jobs for young people
  • The average income and wage growth for young workers
  • The affordability of housing and living expenses
  • The access to education and training opportunities
  • The transportation and digital infrastructure
  • The climate action and environmental sustainability
  • The equity, diversity, and inclusion of the city
  • The entrepreneurial spirit and innovation of the city

Based on these criteria, we ranked the top 5 Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money in 2023. Here they are:

1. Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and the fifth-largest city in Canada. It is also the best city in Canada for young people to find a job, according to a study by RBC and Youthful Cities1. Edmonton scored high on several indicators, such as:

  • The number of job vacancies and youth employment centres
  • The diversity of industries and sectors, including oil and gas, health care, education, technology, and tourism
  • The wage growth and income potential for young workers
  • The affordability of housing and living costs
  • The access to education and training programs, especially in STEM fields
  • The transportation and digital connectivity of the city
  • The climate action and environmental initiatives of the city

Edmonton also has a vibrant cultural scene, with festivals, museums, theatres, sports, and nightlife. It is also close to nature, with parks, trails, rivers, and lakes nearby. Edmonton is a great city for young professionals who want to work hard, play hard, and earn more money.

2. Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada. It is also one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world. Montreal ranked second on our list of the best Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money because of its:

  • High-quality education system, with renowned universities and colleges
  • Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation culture, with startups, incubators, accelerators, and hubs
  • Transportation and digital infrastructure, with public transit, bike lanes, car-sharing services, and high-speed internet
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion of the city, with bilingualism, multiculturalism, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice movements
  • Cultural richness and creativity of the city, with arts, music, literature, cuisine, fashion, and festivals

Montreal also offers a lower cost of living than other major Canadian cities like Toronto or Vancouver. Montreal is a perfect city for young professionals who want to learn new skills, start new ventures, express their creativity, and enjoy life.

3. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and the fourth-largest city in Canada. It is also one of the most educated and prosperous cities in the country. Ottawa ranked third on our list of the best Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money because of its:

  • Stable and diverse economy, with public service, technology, health care, education, and tourism sectors
  • High average income and wage growth for young workers
  • Access to education and training opportunities, especially in public policy, international affairs, and cybersecurity fields
  • Transportation and digital infrastructure, with light rail transit, bus rapid transit, and fibre optic network
  • Climate action and environmental sustainability, with green energy, waste management, and urban planning initiatives

Ottawa also has a rich history, culture, and heritage, with landmarks, museums, galleries, and monuments. It is also close to nature, with parks, forests, rivers, and lakes nearby. Ottawa is an ideal city for young professionals who want to advance their careers, make an impact, and live comfortably.

4. Charlottetown,

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown is the capital city of Prince Edward Island (PEI) and the smallest provincial capital in Canada. It is also one of the most surprising cities on our list of the best Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money. Charlottetown ranked fourth because of its:

  • Rapid economic growth and development, with sectors such as bioscience, information technology, aerospace, and renewable energy
  • Low unemployment rate and high labour force participation rate for young people
  • Affordability of housing and living expenses
  • Access to education and training opportunities, especially in agriculture, fisheries, and food processing fields
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion of the city, with immigration, reconciliation, and accessibility programs

Charlottetown also has a charming and historic character, with heritage buildings, cobblestone streets, and waterfront views. It is also home to the famous Anne of Green Gables novels and musicals. Charlottetown is a wonderful city for young professionals who want to experience a different and dynamic lifestyle.

5. Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Atlantic Canada. It is also the fifth and final city on our list of the best Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money. Halifax ranked fifth because of its:

  • Strong and resilient economy, with sectors such as ocean technology, financial services, health care, and education
  • High demand and availability of jobs for young people
  • Affordability of housing and living costs
  • Access to education and training opportunities, especially in marine science, engineering, and business fields
  • Cultural diversity and vibrancy of the city, with music, art, comedy, and cuisine

Halifax also has a scenic and natural beauty, with the Atlantic Ocean, harbourfront, islands, and parks nearby. Halifax is a fantastic city for young professionals who want to work in a growing and diverse market.

Conclusion

Canada is a great country to live and work in, especially if you are a young professional looking for opportunities to grow your career and income. But not all cities are created equal when it comes to offering the best environment for young people to thrive. Some cities have more jobs, better education, lower costs of living, and higher quality of life than others.

Based on various factors that affect the economic prospects and well-being of young people, we ranked the top 5 Canadian cities for young professionals to earn more money in 2023. They are:

  • Edmonton, Alberta
  • Montreal, Quebec
  • Ottawa, Ontario
  • Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia

These cities offer the best combination of job opportunities, income potential, affordability, education, transportation, digital access, climate action, equity, diversity, inclusion, entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, culture, and lifestyle for young professionals.

If you are looking for a new place to live and work in Canada, you might want to consider these cities as your next destination. They might surprise you with what they have to offer.