The ability to work from home has become one of the most sought-after perks employers offer — and why wouldn’t it be? Not having to commute means you get to sleep in a little longer and have more leisure time after work. You can work without someone constantly looking over your shoulder, avoid office politics and reduce the risk of catching some nasty bug come cold season. And, amidst the country’s housing crisis, remote working means you can live somewhere more affordable.
So which cities are best for working from home? While there’s not perfect formula for the best cities to work remotely, we considered a few factors. We looked at the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre in different cities, according to Numbeo: ideally, you want enough space for a home office, after all. We also looked at the average cost of an internet package of at least 60 Mbps with unlimited data. Then, we looked at the average internet speeds in those cities, according to Bandwidth Place. And, because life shouldn’t be all work and no play, we also looked at the quality of life to bring you the best cities in Canada to work remotely in 2022. With all that in mind, here are our picks for 10 of the best cities in Canada to work remotely in 2022.
Related: Working from home: creating a daily routine to boost your mood and productivity.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,000 to $1,200
Average internet cost: $70 to $110
Average download speed: 118 Mbps
Average upload speed: 28 Mbps
Saint John is our top choice for Canadian cities to live and work remotely. Canada’s oldest incorporated city is surprisingly affordable, considering that it’s a major port for cruise ships and one of the most beautiful cities to live in. Its coastal location means the weather is milder, even if you don’t want to be outside when the wind is blowing in winter. There’s a rich cultural scene in Saint John, and the city also hosts several festivals and sporting events.
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Red Deer, Alberta
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $850 to $1,250
Average internet cost: $75 to $120
Average download speed: 110 Mbps
Average upload speed: 36 Mbps
Housing tends to be very affordable in Red Deer, which means you’ll have plenty of money left over after you’ve paid the rent. No wonder this agricultural centre — located about halfway between Calgary and Edmonton — is one of Canada’s richest cities. The internet is fast and, with plans to improve internet in rural Alberta, things can only look up. If you need a break from work, the great outdoors beckons, with great hiking, biking, horseback riding and canoeing in summer and cross-country skiing and ice skating in winter.
Brampton, Ontario
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,300 to $2,000
Average internet cost: $45 to $99
Average download speed: 125 Mbps
Average upload speed: 24 Mbps
You may despair at the cost of housing in the GTA, but before you lose all hope, consider making Brampton your home base. In fact, several large companies, including Loblaws, have done so. You can find affordable housing here, and the internet is relatively affordable, too. For your downtime, there’s a cool music scene here in one of Canada’s most diverse cities, and, if you need a laugh, you’ll find it in one of the local comedy clubs. The city has given the world Michael Cera and Russell Peters, after all. You can also head out to Toronto for the night: it’s about an hour away by train.
Related: Working from home isn’t going anywhere, studies say.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,100 to $1,600
Average internet cost: $80 to $140
Average download speed: 128 Mbps
Average upload speed: 34 Mbps
If you want an affordable city for remote working but also value your social life, Fredericton is a great option. While this historic city has plenty of interesting museums, there’s nothing stodgy about the place. The students who come here to study at one of the city’s universities or colleges keep the atmosphere young and vibrant, and there are plenty of craft breweries where you can unwind after a day’s hard work. The city’s trail system is perfect for stretching your legs and getting some fresh air too, although you’ll definitely need to dress warmly during the long, cold winters.
Related: The best winter coats to survive Canadian winter.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,300 to $1,600
Average internet cost: $69 to $120
Average download speed: 129 Mbps
Average upload speed: 29 Mbps
With its affordability and excellent healthcare facilities, Moncton is one of the best places in Canada to retire. Before you get to that point, though, you need to work and Moncton is a great option for working from home. The largest of New Brunswick’s cities has fast and reliable internet. Need to get out? The city is a sports lover’s dream, whether you want to play or prefer watching others do the sweating. On a sunny day, you can hit the artificial beach at Centennial Park or go for a hike along the river. There’s a varied cultural scene in Moncton, too.
Quebec City, Quebec
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,100 to $1,250
Average internet cost: $57 to $95
Average download speed: 116 Mbps
Average upload speed: 44 Mbps
Who would have thought that a city as beautiful as Quebec City could be so affordable? You don’t even have to speak French if you’re going to work remotely, although it will definitely help you get by when you go out in this overwhelmingly Francophone city. Overall, the inhabitants tend to be a little older than in the average Canadian city, which makes it easier to focus on work without temptations. Still, it will be hard to resist events like the Winter Carnival or the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day parties.
Related: 8 things you didn’t know about Quebec City.
London, Ontario
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,450 to $3,280
Average internet cost: $55 to $150
Average download speed: 121 Mbps
Average upload speed: 28 Mbps
While housing in London can be pretty steep – it’s Ontario, after all – it’s not nearly as crazy as Toronto, which makes it a good option if you want to stay in the province. It’s not in the middle of nowhere either: as a major regional centre, London is home to the headquarters of some of Canada’s best companies to work for. It also hosts several festivals, including the huge Sunfest. If you need a break from your laptop, there’s good hiking along the Thames Valley Trail.
Calgary, Alberta
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,500 to $3,000
Average internet cost: $70 to $125
Average download speed: 112 Mbps
Average upload speed: 39 Mbps
Unlike Toronto or Vancouver, you don’t need to have one of the highest-paying in-demand jobs in Canada to be able to afford life in Calgary. Housing isn’t cheap, but it’s affordable and internet speeds are decent, making this a great work-from-home city. Only Toronto has more companies that have their headquarters there. There are many ways to spend your downtime in the city, too, whether you’re into sports or culture. Hopefully your employer will know not to expect you to get much done in July when it’s Stampede season.
See also: Coworker harassment in the WFH era: can bullying at work happen online?
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $850 to $1,300
Average internet cost: $40 to $89
Average download speed: 124 Mbps
Average upload speed: 62 Mbps
Sherbrooke is one of the most affordable cities in Canada for young people: you can rent a three-bedroom apartment for less than $1,000 a month. Internet speeds here are fast and reliable, and you don’t have to pay much for your connection either. Sherbrooke is also a university city, which means a young and vibrant social scene. There are plenty of parks to hang out in when you need a break. However, like most cities in Quebec, Sherbrooke will be more fun if you can speak French.
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Average rent for a three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre: $1,900
Average internet cost: $50 to $100
Average download speed: 133 Mbps
Average upload speed: 48 Mbps
Although Abbotsford may be considered one of the top Canadian cities for cheating. luckily you can reduce the temptation with remote working. Many cities in British Columbia suffer from very high housing costs and internet speeds that are slow compared to provinces further east. While housing in Abbotsford isn’t cheap, it’s more affordable than in locations closer to Vancouver. The internet here is among the fastest in the province. And, if you need to get out, the mild weather and Fraser Valley setting offer many ways to enjoy the city.
