Planning to move to Canada is a big decision. A new country is a new way of life. It offers new opportunities. Brampton, Ontario is one of the cities in Canada that you can explore as a place to call home. It is a popular location for new immigrants because of its multicultural population.
It’s important to research potential landing spots before you make your final decision about the city you’ll live in. Learn about the housing market, local economy, and career opportunities. Because each of these factors will affect your financial success and quality of life in Canada.
Prepare for Canada can guide you with helpful information about living in Brampton.
About Brampton, Ontario
Brampton, Ontario is a diverse and multicultural city that has become home to hundreds of thousands of immigrants over the years. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in all of Canada. The city is located in the Regional Municipality of Peel which includes the City of Mississauga, City of Brampton, and Town of Caledon. The region is also part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is only 40 km away from the City of Toronto.
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Brampton was historically inhabited by indigenous peoples and was incorporated as a village in 1853. It was named after the town of Brampton in England. It was later incorporated as a town in 1873 and it officially became a city in 1974. Today it has grown into one of the most diverse cities in all of Canada.
How Many People Live in Brampton, Ontario?
The city has a population of 648,100 as of 2021. It is the fourth most populated in Ontario and ninth-largest in Canada. It is also the youngest community in the GTA. 52% of the city’s population were born outside of Canada. This is over 300,000 residents. It has the fourth-largest visible minority population in the country.
How to Find a Job & Build a Career in Brampton
Brampton’s Local Economy
Brampton’s proximity to Pearson International Airport, major highways and corporate tax structure attract many people and businesses to the region. It has become a destination for corporate head offices, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and factories. It is a prime location along the supply chain in the province. High growth is expected in the city until 2041.
The top industries in Brampton are:
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- Advanced manufacturing
- Supply chain and logistics
- Information and communication technologies
- Innovation and technology
- Food and beverage
- Health and life sciences
- Business services.
Major Employers in Brampton
Brampton is home to major employers across many industries. It is home to more than 100 Biotech firms. And it’s located in the centre of the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor, the second largest tech cluster in North America outside of Silicon Valley. Here are some of the top employers in the region:
- Amazon
- Magna
- Dynacare
- BMP Metals
- Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd.
- Loblaw Companies Ltd.
- Maple Lodge Farms Ltd.
- CN Rail
- Rogers Communications
- Paramount Fine Foods.
Career Pathways in Brampton
Brampton is building an Innovation District. This is an ecosystem to connect talent, educators, investors, and entrepreneurs with high-growth organizations. It is also focused on other strategic developments to further strengthen its labour force in its key industries. Careers in manufacturing, construction, food & beverage, healthcare, life science, logistics, and information technology offer diverse opportunities.
You can look for jobs through local recruiters. Some of the top firms to consider are Advantage Group, IS2, Robert Half, Randstad Canada, and HCR Personnel Solutions, Inc.
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The Brampton Housing Market
Brampton continues to grow and expand, offering newcomers more diverse housing options. Whether you are looking for a detached home, condo, or townhouse, you can find it in one of the city’s neighbourhoods. It is common for newcomers to choose to rent or live in short-term accommodations before buying a house.
Is Housing Expensive in Brampton, Ontario?
Housing prices are rising in Brampton, like all other cities in the province. But it is more affordable than others in the Greater Toronto Area. This makes it a more attractive location to buy for newcomers.
Where you choose to live within the city will affect how much you pay for housing. The most expensive neighbourhoods are Toronto Gore, Highway 427, Huttonville, Vales of Castlemore, and Brampton West. Some of the most affordable areas are Bramalea, Sandringham-Wellington and Heart Lake.
Finding a Place to Rent in Brampton
Brampton is one of the more expensive places to rent. You likely will not find a rental for less than $1500 per month. And rates can exceed $3000 per month. The average rent for an apartment in Brampton is $1500 for a 1 Bedroom, $1796 for a 2 Bedroom, and $2356 for a 3 Bedroom.
Use Rentals for Newcomers to search for available rental units in Brampton. Here, you can also find current rental prices in Brampton.
Also, if you’re renting an apartment, remember to consider renter’s insurance. Most property owners will require it as part of your lease agreement. In Canada, your property owner’s insurance does not protect the tenant. You will need renters’ insurance to protect your family, belongings, and finances. Get more information about renting a home: Renting in Canada: What Newcomers Need to Know
Buying a Home in Brampton
Buying a home in Brampton is expensive. Prices over the past year have increased by up to 40%. According to 2022 MLS listings, the average house price in Brampton is more than $1.3 million.
Prices for townhomes and condos have also increased by 30-40% over the past year. The average cost for a condo is $644,000 and the average cost for a townhouse is $863,000 for a 2 bedroom. Find out more about buying your first home in Canada: First Time Home Buyer: Newcomer Tips
Driving & Public Transit in Brampton
Driving in Brampton, Ontario
This is a big part of life for Brampton residents. The city is surrounded by several major highways including Highway 410 which runs through the middle of the city. Other Highways include 401, Highway 10, Highway 7, and Highway 407 ETR, which is a toll road.
Brampton has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the province. The region is known for a high car accident rate. It is important to drive safely and keep a clean driving record to save on auto insurance.
Get more information about driving in Canada:
Driving in Canada: 10 Essential Facts to Know
Driving Test in Canada: A Full Guide
Getting Your Drivers License in Ontario
Tips for Winter Driving to Ensure Your Safety
Brampton Public Transit
Brampton Transit is the local transportation provider. Residents can get around on Zum bus rapid transit (BRT). You can also connect to other systems such as York Regional Transit and MiWay. If you work in downtown Toronto, it’s a convenient commute on the GO train or other areas across the GTA.
Community Support for Newcomers
As a city that is home to immigrants from around the world, it offers many newcomer services. And you can get support for things such as finding work, looking for housing, enhancing your language skills, and much more.
The Newcomer Settlement Program through the Brampton Multicultural Centre, The Newcomer Centre of Peel (NCP), and Immigration Peel are great resources to get acclimated to the community. Learn more about Services in Canada to Help Newcomers Settle.
Language Support in Brampton
Newcomers have access to a variety of language support services. Get multilingual services through the City of Brampton website. You can take language classes through Settlement.org, Immigration Peel, and other community groups throughout the region.
Personal Finance & Banking
Getting your finances in order is especially important once you move to Canada. All local banks in Brampton have programs to help newcomers. You can open personal and business bank accounts and apply for other financial products. Banks can assist you with getting a credit card, opening a line of credit, and applying for a mortgage. Visit a local bank branch to start the process.
Get more banking tips for newcomers:
Top 10 Financial Steps to Take Before You Leave for Canada
Move to Canada | Transferring Cash & Valuables
Open a Bank Account Before Arriving in Canada
Brampton’s Education System
Brampton offers a variety of education options for children and adults. There are two main school boards in the area. However, one thing that Brampton lacks is a post-secondary institution. But you can get access to top colleges and universities throughout the GTA.
Parents have access to many preschool and daycare options. There are before and after school programs, private, public, and community childcare programs across the city.
Elementary and High School Education
The Peel District School Board runs the public schools which include 85 elementary and middle schools and 16 high schools.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board runs catholic schools which include 44 Catholic elementary and middle schools and nine high schools.
If you prefer, you can enroll your children in one of the private schools or English as a second language (ESL) schools in the city.
Post Secondary Institutions
The city has two post-secondary institutions – Algoma University at Brampton and Sheridan College. There are several private colleges such as TriOS College, SDI College, Medix College, and Evergreen College.
Read more about education in Canada:
Schooling in Canada | A Look at the Education System
Higher Education Offers Benefits to Newcomers
Where to Get Medical Care in Brampton, Ontario
William Osler Health System’s Brampton Civic Hospital and Peel Memorial Hospital are the two major hospitals in the city. However, there are plans to expand facilities in the city.
The city also offers hundreds of smaller medical and dental clinics operating in the city. For prescription drugs and some services that Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover, you can pay for additional health insurance plans. Some people have third-party health insurance through their employer benefits packages.
In case of an emergency call 9-1-1. This number is the same no matter where you live in Canada.
How to Find a Family Doctor in Brampton
Finding a family doctor is a crucial step to take to ensure you can take care of your health when you arrive. There are two ways to look for a doctor in Brampton: through Health Care Connect or The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Get more information about health care in Canada: Steps to Access Free Health Care in Canada.
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What is Day-to-Day Life Like in Brampton?
Things to Do in Brampton
Brampton is a suitable place to call home for newcomers. There are recreation facilities, museums, cultural centres and events that happen all year.
Public Spaces & Attractions
The city has several unique attractions. Some of the most popular are Peel Art Gallery, Artway Gallery, Great War Flying Museum and many others. If you’re into the arts, The Rose and Lester B. Pearson Theatre hold multicultural productions throughout the year.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Brampton is known for its international food. So you can find diverse cultural restaurants throughout the city. Check out the Brampton Food Guide to learn about the hidden gems and abundance of diverse foods!
Nature & Natural Landscapes
Some of the top outdoor attractions include Gage Park, Claireville Conservation Area, Heart Lake Conservation Area, and Professor’s Lake.
Sporting Events & Concerts
The city is home to several minor league sports teams. The most notable is the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League. And in the summer Garden Square is a great place to see local music artists, live entertainment, cultural events, and much more.
Culture & Diversity In Brampton
Diversity
Diversity is a top reason immigrants choose Brampton as their new home when they come to Canada. There are over 300,000 immigrants in the city and this number increases by thousands each year. Over 70% of the population identifies as a visible minority. In total, there are over 230 ethnicities represented in the region.
Based on the 2016 Census, the largest ethnic group is South Asian (44.3% of the population. This is followed by European (26%), Black (13.9%), Filipino (3.4%), Latin American (2.4%), East Asian (1.7%), and Southeast Asian (1.4%).
The most common languages spoken in the city are English (95.1%), Punjabi (24.0%), Hindi (11.4%), Urdu (5.4%), and French (5.2%).
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Places of Worship
As a diverse city, many religions are represented with the largest being Catholic and Protestant. Other religions include Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. The city has one of the largest Hindu and Sikh populations in the country. Check here to find Hindu places of worship or Sikh Temples.
The Weather in Brampton
Brampton has a continental climate that is like the rest of Southern Ontario. The average temperature ranges from -9.4° C in January to as high as 27.1° C in July.
The city experiences all four seasons of weather. You will get sunny and humid days during the summer, wet rainy days in the fall and spring, and cold and snowy days during the winter.
Common Questions Immigrants Ask About Living in Brampton
Is Brampton Cheaper than Toronto?
Yes. Brampton is the more affordable of the two cities, but not by much. Real estate prices continue to rise rapidly. And, it’s an expensive city to live in. However, there are pockets of the city that are more affordable than others.
Which is Better to Live in Brampton or Mississauga?
With the cities close together, it is common for immigrants to consider both. These neighbouring cities are similar in size and population. When choosing between the two, you might consider your housing choices, lifestyle preferences, and the type of community you want to live in. However, both are excellent choices for newcomers.
What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Brampton?
Brampton is a dynamic, diverse, and fast-growing city. It offers great amenities for newcomers and provides a healthy job market. But some of the downsides include a lack of post-secondary schools, rising housing prices, and traffic congestion on city roads and surrounding highways. So identify what’s important to you and be sure to weigh the pros and cons of living in Brampton.
For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle successfully!
