Composite profile
Overall score
71/100
Use the Guelph profile to compare cost framing, transport access, and healthcare framing alongside Kitchener and other Ontario peers.
Overall71/100
Affordability67/100
Air quality75/100
Energy72/100
Canada / North America
Guelph, Canada City Intelligence
Guelph is a southwestern Ontario city west of Toronto with a university and agri-food research base and manufacturing employment, useful for cost framing and transport-access comparison within the commuter corridor. Guelph is a north america city of about ~170K metro in Canada. On the composite city-intelligence score, Guelph sits around the indexed median (71/100).
- Last updated
- 2026-05-16
- Data year
- 2025
- Population
- ~170K metro
Image credit: Image: Patty O'Hearn Kickham from Guelph, Ontario, Canada / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Overall city intelligence
Good71/100
Composite directional score across affordability, air quality, clean energy, and resilience.
Data confidence
Directional
Directional indicators pending integration of verified city-level data.
Verified utility layers
See country hub
Emergency, healthcare, and transport verification status appears on the country hub.
Guelph data table
The table is part of the initial server-rendered HTML and mirrors the key city score cards.
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71/100 | Composite score across major city intelligence modules. |
| Cost of Living | 67/100 | Guelph's cost-of-living profile is a directional indicator pending integration of verified city-level data; structured benchmark context applies. |
| Air Quality | 75/100 | Guelph's air-quality profile is a directional indicator framed against WHO and regional benchmarks; verified city-level measurements appear in the dedicated air-quality dataset section once integrated. |
| Energy | 72/100 | Guelph's energy-readiness profile is a directional indicator that combines national policy framing with city-level adaptation context. |
| Safety | 71/100 | Guelph's safety profile is a directional indicator; verified country-level emergency profiles attach via the country hub where available. |
| Internet Speed | 72/100 | Guelph's connectivity profile is a directional indicator combining national digital-readiness context with widely cited speed-test references. |
| Climate Risk | 71/100 | Guelph's climate-risk profile is a directional indicator combining regional hazard categories with national adaptation capacity. |
| Resilience | 71/100 | Climate adaptation and infrastructure continuity context. |
Safety
Deterministic safety estimates from our index — planning signals derived from country priors and city data, not official crime statistics.
Safety
Overall safety78/100
Low crime80/100
Personal safety79/100
Night safety75/100
Road safety76/100
Guelph is estimated to be a generally safe city (78/100 in our safety index), with solid personal-safety indicators.
Quality of Life
A composite quality-of-life estimate and its component indicators.
Quality of Life
Quality of life82/100
Healthcare85/100
Education86/100
Green space88/100
Cleanliness86/100
Infrastructure89/100
Mobility62/100
Guelph has a very high quality-of-life estimate (82/100), with notable strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness and infrastructure.
Family Friendliness
How the city scores for raising a family, with the indicators that drive it.
Family Friendliness
Family friendliness82/100
Education86/100
Green space88/100
Overall safety78/100
Guelph scores very high for family living (82/100), helped by education access, safety, parks and green space and healthcare.
Digital Nomad Suitability
Suitability for remote workers, based on connectivity, mobility, and livability.
Digital Nomad Suitability
Digital nomad suitability74/100
Walkability63/100
Cycling60/100
Infrastructure89/100
Guelph is high for remote workers (74/100), based on connectivity, affordability, safety and overall livability and day-to-day amenities.
Retirement Suitability
Suitability for retirement, weighing healthcare, affordability, climate, and environment.
Retirement Suitability
Retirement suitability79/100
Healthcare85/100
Cleanliness86/100
Outdoor lifestyle50/100
Guelph is high for retirement (79/100), appealing for healthcare access, affordability, a comfortable climate and a clean environment.
Emergency and public safety in Guelph
Local public safety guidance for Guelph, with the country-level emergency contacts that apply when calling for police, fire, or ambulance.
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Universal emergency | 91124/7 | 911 reaches police, fire, and emergency medical dispatch in most regions of Canada. |
For the universal emergency contacts that apply in Guelph, including police, fire, and ambulance, see the Canada emergency profile.
Public safety sources
Each emergency contact above is attributed to an official emergency service or government publisher. Confirm current numbers directly with these sources.
- Government of Canada: Emergency services in Canada
Used as the primary attribution for Canada's 911 universal emergency number.
Last verified: 2026-05-16
Methodology and the wider source registry are documented on the scoring methodology and data sources pages.
Healthcare and hospitals in Guelph
Healthcare context for Guelph, with national-level information from Canada where city-specific data is not yet verified. This is informational only and does not provide medical advice.
For the national healthcare and public-health context that applies in Guelph, see the Canada healthcare profile.
Official hospital registry
Canadian Institute for Health Information
National source of comparable Canadian health-system data and analysis recognised by federal and provincial governments.
Last verified: 2026-05-16
Healthcare sources
Each entry above is attributed to an official government, public health, or recognised health-system publisher. Confirm current information directly with these sources.
- Government of Canada: Health Canada
Used as the primary federal attribution for Canadian public-health context.
- Canadian Institute for Health Information: Canadian Institute for Health Information
Used as the primary reference for Canadian health-system statistics and hospital-system framing.
Last verified: 2026-05-16
Related sections: emergency and public safety, scoring methodology, and data sources.
Transport and mobility in Guelph
Local mobility context for Guelph, with national-level context from Canada where city-specific data is not yet verified. This is informational only.
For national transport authorities and operators that apply in Guelph, see the Canada transport profile.
Transport sources
Each entry above is attributed to an official transport authority, national operator, airport publisher, or government source. Confirm current information directly with these publishers.
- Government of Canada: Transport Canada
Used as the primary federal attribution for Canadian national transport context.
- VIA Rail Canada: VIA Rail Canada
Used as the primary attribution for Canadian national rail operator information.
Last verified: 2026-05-16
Related sections: emergency and public safety, healthcare and hospitals, cities directory, countries directory, scoring methodology, data sources.
Air quality dataset
Source-attributed air-quality dataset for Guelph. Verified measurements are surfaced when published from accepted official datasets; transparent fallback is shown otherwise.
Air quality dataset for Guelph
Verified data unavailableLast updated 2026-05-16 / data year 2025
Verified air-quality measurements are not yet published for this location
Source-attributed values for Guelph will appear here after the platform integrates verified measurements from accepted official publishers. Until then, structured air-quality module context remains available on the dedicated module page.
| Metric | Value | Data year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | Verified air-quality measurements are not yet published for this location. | ||
Data provenance
Source attributionGlobal City Intelligence — air-quality dataset
Verified data unavailable- Publisher
- Global City Intelligence
- Last verified
- 2026-05-16
The air-quality dataset begins empty by design. Verified city-level measurements appear here only after they are sourced from accepted publishers (WHO, EEA, US EPA, OpenAQ, OECD, or official national/city environmental agencies).
Methodology and context
Numeric measurements appear in this section only after they are sourced from accepted official publishers. The dataset is independently validated at build time; malformed records cannot ship to production.
- Scoring methodology — how indicators across the platform are constructed.
- Data sources registry — the official sources cited by verified datasets.
- Open the Guelph air-quality module
- Browse the clean-air city collection
Quick answers
Quick, evidence-based answers about Guelph drawn from this profile's indexed cost, climate, safety, economy, education, healthcare and nearby-nature data. Figures are deterministic estimates for orientation — verify specifics with official sources.
Quick answers about Guelph
Is Guelph worth visiting?
Yes — excellent quality of life (82/100), with nearby nature such as Crawford Lake, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.
Is Guelph good for families?
Excellent (82/100) on safety, schools and green space.
Is Guelph affordable?
More affordable than average; about C$2,120/month for one person (estimate).
When is the best time to visit Guelph?
Late spring to early autumn; warmest in Jul, coldest in Jan.
What are Guelph's main industries?
Mainly energy, mining, tourism.
What is the climate in Guelph?
A humid continental climate, averaging about 12.3°C.
Does Guelph have universities?
Higher education is strong (71/100).
What is healthcare like in Guelph?
Healthcare access is strong (70/100).
Is Guelph good for retirement?
Retirement suitability is strong (69/100).
What nature is near Guelph?
Within ~170 km: Crawford Lake, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area.
Explore Guelph modules
City pages link to module and ranking pages so crawlers can move through the topic cluster naturally.
Cost of Living in Guelph
Guelph's cost-of-living profile is a directional indicator pending integration of verified city-level data; structured benchmark context applies.
Air Quality in Guelph
Guelph's air-quality profile is a directional indicator framed against WHO and regional benchmarks; verified city-level measurements appear in the dedicated air-quality dataset section once integrated.
Energy in Guelph
Guelph's energy-readiness profile is a directional indicator that combines national policy framing with city-level adaptation context.
Safety in Guelph
Guelph's safety profile is a directional indicator; verified country-level emergency profiles attach via the country hub where available.
Internet Speed in Guelph
Guelph's connectivity profile is a directional indicator combining national digital-readiness context with widely cited speed-test references.
Climate Risk in Guelph
Guelph's climate-risk profile is a directional indicator combining regional hazard categories with national adaptation capacity.
City rankings
Compare this city against other indexed cities in crawlable ranking tables.
Cost of living in Guelph
Cost of living estimates for Guelph — monthly budgets, rent, food, and transport in the local currency, plus an affordability score for comparison. Planning estimates derived from country baselines, not live prices.
Climate in Guelph
Climate profile for Guelph — Humid Continental climate, annual average 12.3°C, comfort score 72/100. Month-by-month temperatures, rainfall, sunshine, and the best months to visit. Deterministic planning estimates, not a forecast.
Economy and jobs in Guelph
Economy and jobs profile for Guelph — regional center, economy score 75/100, key industries including energy, mining, tourism. Employment, salary, startup, remote-work, and career indicators. Deterministic planning estimates.
Universities and education in Guelph
Education profile for Guelph — regional education center, education score 68/100, 4 representative universities, plus research, student life, and international-student indicators. Deterministic dataset, not institutional rankings.
Healthcare and retirement in Guelph
Healthcare and retirement profile for Guelph — regional healthcare center, healthcare score 70/100, retirement score 69/100. Medical access, specialist and emergency care, affordability, and retirement suitability. Deterministic planning estimates.
Visual guide to Guelph
Source-attributed visual context for Guelph using verified Wikimedia imagery from the existing media catalog, alongside structured city intelligence and planning links. Not a tourism guide or attractions ranking.
Weekend trip planning guide for Guelph
Weekend trip planning checklist for Guelph — links into arrival planning, Summer 2026 travel context, visual orientation, budget tools, transport, public safety, and healthcare context. Not an itinerary, events calendar, hotel-price guide, restaurant guide, or tourism ranking.
Nearby weekend places from Guelph
Source-backed nearby place records for local-first weekend planning, with verification status, official source links, Wikidata identity, and visual context.
Estimate a monthly budget for Guelph
Estimate a monthly budget for Guelph using your own housing, food, transport, healthcare, and lifestyle inputs. Planning estimator only — not an official cost-of-living measurement.
Plan a trip budget for Guelph
Plan a trip budget for Guelph using your own accommodation, food, local transport, activities, travel, healthcare buffer, and emergency buffer inputs. Planning estimator only — not an official travel cost estimate.
Nearby cities from Guelph
Where else nearby you could spend a day or a weekend from Guelph. Links are derived from geographic proximity, shared region, shared natural-recreation areas, transport corridors, and country borders — not popularity or tourism rankings.
Kitchener, Canada
Nearby city · about 22 km from Guelph. Explore Kitchener's city intelligence profile.
Waterloo, Canada
Same region · about 23 km from Guelph. Explore Waterloo's city intelligence profile.
Brampton, Canada
Same region · about 42 km from Guelph. Explore Brampton's city intelligence profile.
Hamilton, Canada
Nearby city · about 45 km from Guelph. Explore Hamilton's city intelligence profile.
Brantford, Canada
Same region · about 46 km from Guelph. Explore Brantford's city intelligence profile.
Mississauga, Canada
Same region · about 49 km from Guelph. Explore Mississauga's city intelligence profile.
Vaughan, Canada
Same region · about 68 km from Guelph. Explore Vaughan's city intelligence profile.
Toronto, Canada
Same region · about 70 km from Guelph. Explore Toronto's city intelligence profile.
Markham, Canada
Same region · about 89 km from Guelph. Explore Markham's city intelligence profile.
St. Catharines, Canada
Same region · about 92 km from Guelph. Explore St. Catharines's city intelligence profile.
Related collections
Regional discovery collections that include Guelph — named natural regions grouping nearby nature, parks, lakes, coasts, and mountains for local-first day and weekend planning.
Weekend Escapes near Toronto
Weekend escapes · 30 places across 24 cities.
Themed collections
Theme-first discovery collections that include Guelph — grouped by outdoor interest (mountains, lakes, coasts, forests, national parks) rather than geography.
Canada Cycling Friendly Areas
Cycling Friendly Areas · 50 places across 72 cities.
Canada Family Outdoor Escapes
Family Outdoor Escapes · 50 places across 71 cities.
Canada Lake Escapes
Lake Escapes · 35 places across 80 cities.
Canada Nature Photography Spots
Nature Photography Spots · 50 places across 71 cities.
North American Cycling Friendly Areas
Cycling Friendly Areas · 50 places across 80 cities.
North American Nature Photography Spots
Nature Photography Spots · 50 places across 80 cities.
Guelph FAQ
Common questions about living in, visiting, working in, studying in and retiring to Guelph, answered from the indexed cost-of-living, climate, safety, economy, education, healthcare and nearby-nature data on this profile.
Frequently asked questions about Guelph
Is Guelph worth visiting?
Guelph has a very high quality-of-life estimate (82/100), with notable strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness and infrastructure. Visitors can also reach nature such as Crawford Lake, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area and Dundas Valley Conservation Area within weekend range.
What is it like to live in Guelph?
Guelph has a very high quality-of-life estimate (82/100), with notable strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness and infrastructure. It indexes 82/100 for overall quality of life.
How much does it cost to live in Guelph?
A single resident of Guelph spends roughly C$2,120 per month, with a one-bedroom rent near C$1,130. Overall the city is more affordable than average for Canada. These are modelled estimates, not live quotes — verify locally.
What should I know about moving to Guelph?
Plan for below-average living costs and check current rents before relocating. Guelph is high for remote workers (74/100), based on connectivity, affordability, safety and overall livability and day-to-day amenities.
What is the job market like in Guelph?
Guelph's labour market is strong, with opportunities concentrated in technology, tourism and hospitality and education and research. Guelph has a regional economy with strengths in energy, mining and tourism.
Is Guelph good for digital nomads and remote work?
Guelph offers strong infrastructure and amenities for remote professionals, with a remote-work score of 80/100.
What are the education options in Guelph?
Guelph is a regional education center with a mix of universities and research activity in our dataset, spanning fields such as Social Sciences, Mathematics and Healthcare.
Is Guelph a good place to study?
Guelph offers a moderate student environment, supported by relatively affordable living, strong quality of life and good connectivity.
What is healthcare like in Guelph?
Guelph has a regional healthcare center, supported by hospitals, specialist services, and public-health infrastructure, with a healthcare score of 70/100. Residents have strong access to healthcare across primary, specialist, and emergency care.
Is Guelph a good place to retire?
Guelph offers a combination of healthcare access, safety, and amenities that may appeal to retirees, with a retirement score of 69/100. Residents benefit from parks and green space and broad urban amenities and day-to-day services.
What is the climate like in Guelph?
Guelph has a humid continental climate, averaging about 12.3°C annually with roughly 801 mm of rain. The hottest month is Jul and the coldest Jan. The driest is typically Jan.
Is Guelph a safe place to live?
Guelph is estimated to be a generally safe city (78/100 in our safety index), with solid personal-safety indicators.
How easy is it to get around Guelph?
Guelph indexes a walkability score of 63 and a cycling score of 60 out of 100. Check the local operator for live transit routes and fares.
What nature and outdoor places are near Guelph?
Nature destinations within about 170 km of Guelph include Crawford Lake, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area and Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Each is linked with its official source on the profile.
Is Guelph good for families?
Guelph scores very high for family living (82/100), helped by education access, safety, parks and green space and healthcare.
What outdoor activities are there around Guelph?
Guelph rates 50/100 for outdoor lifestyle and 88/100 for green space. Nearby nature such as Crawford Lake, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area and Dundas Valley Conservation Area supports day hikes, water activities and weekend trips.
Interpretation
Use the Guelph profile to compare cost framing, transport access, and healthcare framing alongside Kitchener and other Ontario peers. Its standout dimensions are air quality (75/100) and energy (72/100). The area most worth watching is cost of living (67/100), where the model registers practical gaps. Data year 2025; last updated 2026-05-16. Drawn from 4 institutional references.
Country context is available on the Canada country page. Related rankings include Overall Intelligence, Quality of Life, Remote Work. See where Guelph appears in global rankings or read the scoring methodology.
Structured indicators on this page are directional and intended for orientation. Verified datasets are being integrated; official sources should be used for critical decisions.
Sources
4 institutional references inform this view, listed below with reliability notes. Structured indicators on this page are directional and intended for orientation; verified datasets are being integrated and official sources should be used for critical decisions.
- UN-Habitat: World Cities Report 2024
Used as a policy and methodology reference for urban exposure and resilience signals.
- US Environmental Protection Agency: National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Used where United States city comparisons need air-quality benchmark context.
- NASA: NASA POWER
Used as an energy-resource and weather-normalization reference.
- IPCC: AR6 WGII Chapter 6: Cities, settlements and key infrastructure
Used to explain urban climate vulnerability and adaptation scoring logic.