City Profile
Guelph, Ontario
Canada · Comprehensive city data and intelligence
Guelph, known as 'The Royal City', is nestled in Southwestern Ontario and is celebrated for its rich limestone architecture, green spaces, and high quality of life. Originally established in 1827 by John Galt of the Canada Company, the city has evolved into a vibrant, progressive community with a thriving economy anchored by the prestigious University of Guelph. Residents are drawn to Guelph for its small-town charm paired with modern urban amenities, excellent safety records, and strong community engagement.
Ontario, Canada, is a large and diverse province known for its vibrant multiculturalism and varied landscapes, from fertile farmlands to the Canadian Shield. The economy is robust and diverse, with major industries including manufacturing (especially automotive, information and communication technologies, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices), financial services, and other knowledge-intensive sectors. Living in Ontario generally offers a high quality of life with strong job markets, particularly in cities like Toronto and Ottawa, and access to healthcare and infrastructure. However, the cost of living is higher than the Canadian average, with housing, groceries, and transportation being the most significant expenses, and the climate features four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
How this 71/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
| Component | Readings used | Points | Weight | Contributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Safety score: 78 / 100 | 78.0 | 30% | 23.4 |
| Affordability | Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 92.0 | 53.8 | 25% | 13.4 |
| Economy & jobs | Median household income: $72,000 Income needed to live here: $45,000 Unemployment rate: 5.2% | 80.0 | 20% | 16.0 |
| Growth | Population growth rate: 2.1% Job growth rate: 2.3% | 71.8 | 15% | 10.8 |
| Business climate assessment | Business climate assessment: 70 / 100 | 70.0 | 10% | 7.0 |
| Overall score | 70.6 | |||
Provenance.
These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as
Tier 3 (deep think) (q=54, partial — below threshold), last refreshed
16 October 2026.
They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.
Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.
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Performance
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Expenses
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Guelph is slightly above the national average, heavily influenced by competitive housing markets and strong regional demand. While everyday expenses like groceries and utilities remain relatively stable and comparable to broader Ontario averages, housing costs for both renters and buyers have risen due to steady in-migration from the Greater Toronto Area. Nevertheless, local wages and robust employment opportunities help offset these elevated day-to-day living costs for most residents.
Income
Salary Insights
Guelph boasts a resilient and diversified economy with notably lower unemployment rates than the national baseline, supported by key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology, education, and healthcare. Major local employers include the University of Guelph, Linamar Corporation, and SinarOM, creating a steady stream of professional and technical opportunities. Additionally, the city has cultivated a dynamic startup ecosystem and a growing remote work population that benefits from its strategic proximity to the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor.
The average salary in Guelph is $52,000 per year. You would need approximately $45,000 to live comfortably.
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Transport
Getting around Guelph relies heavily on a mix of personal vehicles, an expanding municipal transit system (Guelph Transit), and an increasingly connected network of bike lanes. While the city center is moderately walkable, outer residential neighborhoods lean toward moderate car dependency for daily commuting. GO Transit rail and bus services provide direct, reliable connections to Toronto and surrounding Southwestern Ontario hubs.
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