1. Toronto, Canada
Toronto, in the Canadian province of Ontario, is the fourth-largest city in North America. Only Mexico City, New York City and Los Angeles are larger.
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While Toronto doesn’t have a homegrown unicorn — a privately-owned venture capital backed company valued at more than a $1bn — it boasts between 2,500 and 4,100 active tech startups.
Most of the cities biggest companies are financials, US tech giants IBM, Apple, Google, Facebook and Twitter also have major offices in the city.
Since 2012, Canada has improved its cost competitiveness over the US by more than 10 percent, now offering a 14.6 percent cost advantage. KPMG ranks Canada first in the G7 for corporate tax rate and cost competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Toronto is among the most cost competitive global cities in the world. The city is more affordable than all Asian cities and nearly every U.S. city, including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston.
At 67 percent, Ontario has the highest rate of post-secondary education attainment among OECD countries.
Away from business, Toronto has been ranked by stud after study as the best place in the world to live.
The Economist, Metropolis Magazine, ECA International have all named Toronto the best place in the world to live based on ratings of its business environment, cost of living, livability, personal safety, food safety and freedom and democracy.
