Why do people move in Canada?
Description: Why do people move in Canada?
Every year, more than 1 million people in Canada move, be it around the corner or across the country. This infographic looks at the reasons why Canadians move.
In 2022, 1 in 4 households (25.3%) that moved in the previous five years wanted a larger or better-quality dwelling.
Among households that moved, 94% moved within the same province, while 6% moved to another province.
The reasons for moving differed, depending on whether households stayed in the same province or not.
| Within the same province | To another province |
|---|---|
| Larger or better-quality dwelling (27%) | Employment (43%) |
| Become a homeowner (20%) | Be closer to family (28%) |
| Live in a more desirable neighbourhood (14%) / Because of a change in household size (14%) | Live in a more desirable neighbourhood (9%) / School (9%) |
The reasons for moving varied based on the generation of the household head, since members of each generation are at different stages in life.
| Generation of household head | Top reasons for moving | |
|---|---|---|
| Within the same province | To another province | |
| Generation Z (1997 to 2012) | Larger or better-quality dwelling (19%) | School (61%) |
| Millennial (1981 to 1996) | Larger or better-quality dwelling (32%) | Employment (59%) |
| Generation X (1966 to 1980) | Larger or better-quality dwelling (30%) | Employment (52%) |
| Baby boom generation (1946 to 1965) | Reduce housing costs (21%) | Be closer to family (48%) |
| Interwar and greatest generations (before 1946) | Reduce housing costs (34%) / Health reasons (34%) | Be closer to family (77%) |
At least 10% of renter households that moved to another rental dwelling cited the following reasons for moving:
- Issues with the previous landlord or other tenants
- Being forced to move
The top reason for moving for households that went from renting to owning and vice-versa also differed.
| From | To | |
|---|---|---|
| Renting | Renting | Larger or better-quality dwelling (25%) |
| Renting | Owning | Become a homeowner (77%) |
| Owning | Owning | Larger or better-quality dwelling (36%) |
| Owning | Renting | Reduce housing costs (28%) |
Notes:
- Household refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad.
- Only moves that occurred in the five years preceding the 2022 Canadian Housing Survey are included. If multiple moves occurred, information on the most recent move was captured.
Source: Song, G., Chastko K., Grueva S. and Charbonneau, P., 2026, “Why do people move within Canada? A study on the reasons for internal migration and mobility using the Canadian Housing Survey,” Demographic Documents, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 91F0015M.
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