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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Hamilton quality of life score: 56/100 (Canada avg: 61/100). Combines safety (58), healthcare (74), walkability (62), air quality (AQI 35) and green space (18%). Compared to Ontario peers in 2026.
Hamilton quality of life score: 56/100 (Canada avg: 61/100). Combines safety (58), healthcare (74), walkability (62), air quality (AQI 35) and green space (18%). Compared to Ontario peers in 2026.
Hamilton: cost index 110 (+4 vs national avg 106), rent $1,880/month.
Ontario region average cost index: 114. Hamilton is -4 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 56/100 — safety 58, healthcare 74, walkability 62.
Safety score: 58/100 (crime rate 62.8/1k). National average: 63/100.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | QoL | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hamilton | 110 | $1,880 | $76,000 | 56 | 58 |
| 2 | Ottawa | 113 | $2,100 | $86,000 | 64 | 72 |
| 3 | London | 101 | $1,660 | $68,500 | 60 | 60 |
| 4 | Mississauga | 118 | $2,450 | $80,000 | 59 | 70 |
| 5 | Toronto | 126 | $2,750 | $82,000 | 56 | 62 |
Here's where the conversation shifts from 'affordable' to 'strategic': Hamilton has a cost index of 110 — 4 points above the Canada national average of 106. Median income is $76,000 with rent at $1,880/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 30%. Financially, that's significant.
Zooming out, looking at Ontario as a whole, the spread across all 5 cities is 16 points on the cost index. Toronto sits at the other end with index 126 and rent of $2,750/mo. This combination is rare — and valuable.
On quality of life, Hamilton scores a composite score of 56/100 — reflecting its safety (58), healthcare (74), and walkability (62) metrics. And there's one more thing: affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Canada is a good example of that tension.
Hamilton — cost index 110, rent $1,880/mo, income $76,000, QoL 56/100.
Ottawa — cost index 113, rent $2,100/mo, income $86,000, QoL 64/100.
London — cost index 101, rent $1,660/mo, income $68,500, QoL 60/100.
Mississauga — cost index 118, rent $2,450/mo, income $80,000, QoL 59/100.
Toronto — cost index 126, rent $2,750/mo, income $82,000, QoL 56/100.
Hamilton has a composite quality of life score of 56/100, covering safety (58), healthcare (74), walkability (62), air quality, and green space. Canada average QoL: 61/100.
The Ontario region of average QoL score is 59/100. Hamilton leads with 56/100, reflecting safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include Statistics Canada, CMHC, CRA.
Hamilton: cost index 110, rent $1,880/mo, income $76,000/yr, QoL 56/100. Ottawa: cost index 113, rent $2,100/mo, income $86,000/yr, QoL 64/100.
This analysis uses data from Statistics Canada, CMHC, CRA to rank cities in Canada. The cost of living index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Quality of life scores combine safety, healthcare, walkability, air quality, green space, and transit metrics. Salary ranges use national occupation data adjusted for local cost differences. Data is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.