Canada consistently ranks as one of the best countries in the world for quality of life, but choosing where to live is far from straightforward. Housing costs, job prospects, safety, climate, and lifestyle vary significantly between cities, and the “best” place to live depends on how those factors balance out in practice.
This guide ranks the best places to live in Canada based on a combination of objective livability data and real-world relocation behaviour. Rather than relying on opinion or generic lifestyle claims, we compare and ranked 8 major Canadian cities with broad appeal and sustained relocation demand from the UK, using measurable criteria such as affordability, employment strength, safety, amenities, climate, and our own internal data from people planning removals to Canada from the UK.
The result is a practical, data-led ranking of Canadian cities that reflects both quality of life and genuine demand from UK movers, designed to help you understand which locations perform best overall, and why.
For a full breakdown of our methodology, please see the methodology section at the end of the article. For now, lets dive right into the best places to live in Canada in 2026.
Best Places to Live in Canada: Overall Rankings
| Rank | City | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calgary, AB | 70.25 |
| 2 | Toronto, ON | 64.70 |
| 3 | Ottawa, ON | 58.70 |
| 4 | Vancouver, BC | 55.65 |
| 5 | Victoria, BC | 54.50 |
| 6 | Halifax, NS | 53.25 |
| 7 | Edmonton, AB | 52.20 |
| 8 | Montreal, QC | 49.25 |
What stands out from the rankings
- Balance matters more than dominance. Cities that perform consistently well across affordability, income, safety, and demand rank higher overall than cities that excel in one area but underperform elsewhere. This is why Calgary ranks ahead of Toronto and Vancouver despite scoring lower on lifestyle and climate.
- Housing affordability is the single biggest differentiator. Cities with extreme housing costs struggle to rank at the top even when employment and lifestyle scores are strong. Vancouver and Toronto both score highly in multiple categories, but affordability prevents either from taking first place.
- Lifestyle and climate are powerful, but not decisive on their own. Mild weather and strong amenities significantly improve overall performance, but they cannot fully offset weak affordability or limited employment opportunities, as seen in cities such as Victoria.
- UK relocation demand broadly tracks opportunity, not comfort. The strongest interest from UK movers aligns more closely with income potential and job availability than with climate or lifestyle alone, which helps explain the sustained demand for cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver despite high costs or harsh winters.
1. Calgary, Alberta
Overall position: 1st
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 8.99%
Calgary ranks first because it combines high earning potential with relatively affordable housing, without the extreme cost pressures seen in Canada’s largest cities. While it does not perform strongly on climate or lifestyle metrics, those weaknesses are outweighed by its economic fundamentals.
Why Calgary ranks highly
Calgary is one of the most affordable major cities in this ranking. The benchmark residential property price in Calgary sits at around CAD $612,000, compared with over CAD $1.2 million in Toronto and approximately CAD $1.24 million in Vancouver.
On the income side, Calgary ranks 1st for employment and economy, with a median household income of approximately CAD $100,000, the highest of all cities included in this guide. This figure is taken from Statistics Canada’s census metropolitan area income data and reflects Calgary’s strong professional job market across energy, engineering, finance, and corporate services.
Despite its colder climate, Calgary attracts substantial interest from UK movers. It accounts for 9% of our UK enquiries for removals to Canada, making it the third most requested destination after Toronto and Vancouver, based on our aggregated internal enquiry data.
Where Calgary performs less well
Calgary’s climate score is mid-table. Winters are significantly colder than in coastal cities, with average January temperatures well below freezing and prolonged cold spells.
It also ranks near the bottom for lifestyle and amenities. Calgary is more car-dependent than cities such as Vancouver, Victoria, or Montreal, with lower overall walkability scores according to Walk Score’s city-level data.
Best suited for
Calgary is best suited to professionals and families who prioritise income, housing value, and long-term financial stability, and who are willing to trade milder weather and dense urban living for affordability and career opportunity.
2. Toronto, Ontario
Overall position: 2nd
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 15.91%
Toronto ranks second overall due to its unmatched employment opportunities, strong safety performance, and breadth of amenities. It attracts more UK movers than any other Canadian city, but its overall score is heavily constrained by exceptionally high housing costs.
Why Toronto ranks highly
Toronto has the strongest and most diverse job market in Canada. Median household income in the Toronto metropolitan area sits at approximately CAD $97,000, placing it among the top performers in this ranking and reflecting the city’s broad employment base across finance, technology, healthcare, professional services, and media.
Toronto also performs exceptionally well on safety. It records the lowest Crime Severity Index of any city included in this guide, indicating lower overall crime severity compared with other major Canadian cities.
In terms of amenities, Toronto offers the most extensive public transport network in the country, alongside a high concentration of cultural, educational, and recreational facilities. While overall walkability varies by neighbourhood, Toronto’s dense core and transit infrastructure support strong day-to-day accessibility.
Toronto is also the single most popular destination for UK movers, accounting for over 15% of our UK enquiries for removals to Canada, well ahead of any other city. This reflects its global-city status and the depth of employment opportunities available to newcomers.
Where Toronto performs less well
Toronto’s biggest weakness is housing affordability. The benchmark residential property price in the Greater Toronto Area sits at over CAD $1.2 million, making it one of the most expensive housing markets in Canada and placing it second-lowest for affordability in this ranking.
High housing costs also feed into a higher overall cost of living, reducing Toronto’s appeal for movers who prioritise value or space.
Toronto’s climate score is mid-table. Winters are colder and longer than in coastal British Columbia, with sustained freezing temperatures during winter months, though generally milder than cities such as Ottawa, Montreal, or Edmonton.
Best suited for
Toronto is best suited to career-driven movers who prioritise job opportunities, safety, and urban amenities, and who are prepared to accept higher housing costs in exchange for long-term career potential and access to Canada’s largest and most dynamic city.
3. Ottawa, Ontario
Overall position: 3rd
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.64%
Ottawa ranks third overall due to its strong safety record, stable employment base, and relatively moderate housing costs compared with Canada’s largest cities. While it lacks the scale and diversity of Toronto or Montreal, it performs consistently well across most livability factors.
Why Ottawa ranks highly
Ottawa is one of the safest major cities in Canada. It records a lower Crime Severity Index than Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, placing it 2nd overall for safety in this ranking beaten only by Toronto.
The city also performs strongly on employment stability. Median household income in the Ottawa–Gatineau metropolitan area is approximately CAD $98,000, placing it second-highest among the cities included. This reflects a job market anchored by federal government, public administration, defence, and a growing technology sector.
Housing affordability is another relative strength. Benchmark home prices in Ottawa sit at around CAD $680,000, substantially lower than Toronto and Vancouver, placing Ottawa mid-table for affordability rather than at the bottom end.
Ottawa accounts for 4.64% of UK enquiries for removals to Canada, indicating steady but selective interest from movers who prioritise safety, employment security, and quality of life over lifestyle or climate.
Where Ottawa performs less well
Ottawa scores poorly on climate. Winters are long and cold, with average January temperatures well below freezing and extended periods of snow and ice, which significantly reduces its climate score relative to coastal and southern cities.
It also ranks low for lifestyle and amenities. Ottawa is more car-dependent than larger metropolitan centres, and while public transport is improving, overall walkability and nightlife are limited compared with Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver.
Best suited for
Ottawa is best suited to families and professionals who prioritise safety, stable employment, and predictable quality of life, and who are less concerned with nightlife, cultural density, or milder winter climates.
4. Vancouver, British Columbia
Overall position: 4th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 12.15%
Vancouver ranks fourth overall due to its exceptional lifestyle appeal and mild coastal climate, combined with strong international demand. However, extreme housing costs significantly reduce its overall livability score and prevent it from ranking higher.
Why Vancouver ranks highly
Vancouver performs exceptionally well on lifestyle and amenities. It ranks 1st overall in this category, driven by high walkability in central neighbourhoods, extensive public transport coverage, and immediate access to beaches, mountains, and outdoor recreation. Cultural amenities, dining, and green space density also place it at the top of the lifestyle rankings.
Climate is another major strength. Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada, with winter temperatures that are significantly warmer than those in inland and eastern cities. This places Vancouver 2nd overall for climate, narrowly behind Victoria.
Vancouver also attracts substantial interest from UK movers. It accounts for 12.15% of UK enquiries for removals to Canada, making it the second most requested destination after Toronto. This reflects its global-city appeal and lifestyle-led reputation.
Where Vancouver performs less well
Housing affordability is Vancouver’s most significant weakness. Benchmark property prices sit at around CAD $1.24 million, the highest of all cities included in this ranking. Rental costs are similarly elevated, placing Vancouver last for affordability.
Vancouver also scores lower than expected on safety. While not unsafe by international standards, crime severity is higher than in Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal, which reduces its overall safety score relative to other large Canadian cities.
Best suited for
Vancouver is best suited to movers who prioritise lifestyle, climate, and outdoor access, and who are able to absorb higher housing and living costs in exchange for those benefits.
5. Victoria, British Columbia
Overall position: 5th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 1.88%
Victoria ranks fifth overall due to its exceptionally mild climate and strong lifestyle appeal. It performs very well on quality-of-life factors, but its smaller job market and high housing costs limit its overall ranking.
Why Victoria ranks highly
Victoria performs best of any city in this ranking on climate. Winter temperatures are significantly milder than in most of Canada, with average winter highs well above freezing and very few days of sustained frost. This places Victoria 1st overall for climate, ahead of Vancouver and all inland cities.
Lifestyle and amenities are another major strength. Victoria ranks 2nd overall in this category, supported by strong walkability, access to green space, coastal recreation, and a compact urban layout that reduces reliance on long commutes.
Where Victoria performs less well
Housing affordability is a major constraint. Average property prices in Victoria sit at around CAD $1.0 million, high relative to local income levels and placing the city in the lower third for affordability.
Employment opportunities are more limited than in larger metropolitan centres. Median household income in Victoria is approximately CAD $85,000, which places it in the lower half of the ranking and reflects a job market weighted toward government services, tourism, education, and healthcare rather than high-paying corporate sectors.
Victoria also attracts relatively limited interest from UK movers, accounting for 1.88% of UK enquiries for removals to Canada, suggesting that lifestyle appeal alone does not outweigh affordability and employment considerations for most movers.
Best suited for
Victoria is best suited to retirees, remote workers, and lifestyle-focused movers who prioritise climate, walkability, and access to nature, and who are less dependent on a large local job market.
6. Halifax, Nova Scotia
Overall position: 6th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 2.96%
Halifax ranks sixth overall due to its relatively affordable housing, strong safety performance, and balanced lifestyle, despite having a smaller and less diverse job market than larger Canadian cities. It performs better than expected across several core livability factors, which explains its growing appeal to UK movers.
Why Halifax ranks highly
Halifax performs well on affordability compared with most major Canadian cities. Average property prices sit at around CAD $580,000, significantly lower than those in Toronto, Vancouver, and Victoria, placing Halifax in the upper half of the ranking for housing affordability.
Safety is another relative strength. Halifax records moderate crime severity levels compared with other urban centres and ranks ahead of cities such as Edmonton and Vancouver in the safety category.
Halifax also offers a strong lifestyle balance. The city has a compact, walkable core, access to coastal scenery, and a slower pace of life than larger metropolitan areas, contributing to its mid-table lifestyle score.
Interest from UK movers has increased in recent years. Halifax accounts for around 3% of our UK to Canada removals enquiries, indicating growing awareness of Atlantic Canada as a viable relocation option.
Where Halifax performs less well
Employment opportunities are more limited than in larger cities. Median household income in Halifax is approximately CAD $81,000, placing it toward the lower end of the ranking and reflecting a smaller job market focused on public services, healthcare, education, and defence.
While Halifax’s climate is milder than inland cities such as Edmonton or Calgary, winters are still long and damp, with frequent snow and freezing conditions. This keeps its climate score in the middle of the table.
Best suited for
Halifax is best suited to movers who prioritise affordability, safety, and quality of life, and who are comfortable with a smaller job market or who have remote or secure employment.
7. Edmonton, Alberta
Overall position: 7th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.35%
Edmonton ranks seventh overall due to its very strong affordability and income potential, offset by weak climate performance and higher crime severity. It offers excellent value on paper, but quality-of-life trade-offs prevent it from ranking higher.
Why Edmonton ranks highly
Edmonton is the most affordable city included in this ranking. Average residential property prices sit at around CAD $470,000, well below every other city in the top nine and less than half the cost of housing in Toronto or Vancouver. This places Edmonton 1st overall for affordability.
Employment and income are also strong. Median household income in Edmonton is approximately CAD $96,000, placing it among the top performers in this guide. The local economy is driven by energy, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and public services, providing stable employment opportunities and relatively high wages.
Edmonton attracts a meaningful share of UK interest despite its drawbacks, accounting for 4.35% of UK enquiries for removals to Canada, which places it ahead of several cities with stronger lifestyle appeal.
Where Edmonton performs less well
Edmonton performs poorly on climate. Winters are long and severe, with extended periods of extreme cold and sustained sub-zero temperatures, placing it last overall for climate in this ranking.
Safety is another weakness. Edmonton records higher crime severity than most cities included in this guide, which significantly reduces its safety score relative to peers.
Lifestyle and amenities also score low. Edmonton is highly car-dependent, with limited walkability and a less concentrated urban core compared with cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal.
Best suited for
Edmonton is best suited to movers who prioritise housing affordability and income potential above climate and lifestyle considerations, particularly those with experience in energy, technical, or public-sector roles.
8. Montreal, Quebec
Overall position: 8th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.55%
Montreal ranks eighth overall due to its relatively low household incomes and climate challenges, despite offering good housing affordability and a strong cultural lifestyle. While it performs well in some areas, these factors limit its overall livability score for most movers from the UK.
Why Montreal ranks relatively well
Montreal remains one of the more affordable large cities in Canada. Average residential property prices sit at around CAD $670,000, significantly lower than in Toronto, Vancouver, or Victoria. This places Montreal in the upper tier for housing affordability among major Canadian cities.
Lifestyle and amenities are another strength. Montreal ranks 3rd overall for lifestyle, supported by high walkability, dense urban neighbourhoods, extensive public transport, and a vibrant cultural and dining scene. For movers who value city life and cultural access, Montreal performs strongly.
Safety performance is also relatively good. Crime severity in Montreal is lower than in several western cities, including Edmonton and Vancouver, which supports its mid-table safety ranking.
Where Montreal performs less well
Employment and income are the city’s weakest areas. Median household income in Montreal is approximately CAD $76,000, the lowest of all cities included in this ranking. This significantly reduces its employment and economy score.
Language is an additional practical consideration. While English is widely spoken, many professional roles require French proficiency, which can limit job accessibility for UK movers who do not speak French.
Montreal also scores poorly on climate. Winters are long and cold, with extended periods of freezing temperatures, placing it near the bottom of the climate rankings.
Despite its lifestyle appeal, Montreal accounts for 4.55% of UK enquiries for removals to Canada, suggesting that affordability and culture alone do not outweigh income and language considerations for many movers.
Best suited for
Montreal is best suited to movers who prioritise urban lifestyle, walkability, and cultural life, and who are either bilingual or comfortable working in a predominantly French-speaking environment.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Places to Live in Canada
There is no single definition of the “best” place to live in Canada. Different cities perform well for different reasons, and rankings vary depending on which factors are prioritised. To produce a fair, transparent comparison, this guide uses a structured scoring methodology based on measurable livability data and real-world relocation behaviour.
Scope of this ranking
This ranking focuses on eight major Canadian cities with broad appeal and sustained relocation demand from the UK. It is not intended to represent every community in Canada, nor smaller or niche lifestyle destinations. The aim is to compare large, well-established urban centres that offer a realistic mix of employment, housing, infrastructure, and services for international movers.
All rankings and “best / worst” references in this guide apply only within this group of eight cities.
Ranking framework
Each city was assessed across six categories. Scores were normalised on a 0–100 scale, relative to the other cities included in this guide, and then weighted to produce an overall score.
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living & Housing | 25% |
| Employment & Economy | 20% |
| Safety & Healthcare Access | 15% |
| Lifestyle & Amenities | 15% |
| Climate & Environment | 10% |
| UK Removals Demand | 15% |
No single factor determines the final ranking. Cities that perform exceptionally well in one area but poorly in others tend to rank lower overall than cities that perform consistently well across multiple categories.
How scores were calculated
For each category:
- Raw data (such as house prices, median income, crime severity, or enquiry volume) was collected for each city.
- Cities were then ranked relative to one another within that category.
- These rankings were converted into normalised scores from 0 to 100, where the strongest-performing city in that category scored highest and the weakest scored lowest.
- Normalised category scores were multiplied by their respective weights.
- Weighted scores were summed to produce each city’s overall score.
This approach ensures that results reflect relative performance, not absolute national rankings.
Final category scores and overall results
The table below shows the calculated scores used to produce the final rankings.
| City | Cost of Living | Employment | Safety | Lifestyle | Climate | UK Demand | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | 95 | 100 | 65 | 18 | 55 | 57 | 70.25 |
| Toronto | 10 | 90 | 100 | 58 | 55 | 100 | 64.70 |
| Ottawa | 72 | 92 | 94 | 23 | 4 | 29 | 58.70 |
| Vancouver | 0 | 65 | 43 | 100 | 98 | 76 | 55.65 |
| Victoria | 42 | 38 | 72 | 92 | 100 | 12 | 54.50 |
| Halifax | 78 | 22 | 78 | 62 | 55 | 19 | 53.25 |
| Edmonton | 100 | 88 | 22 | 15 | 0 | 27 | 52.20 |
| Montreal | 82 | 0 | 88 | 68 | 10 | 29 | 49.25 |
Scores are rounded to two decimal places.
Category definitions
Cost of Living & Housing (25%)
Measures overall affordability, with a strong emphasis on housing costs.
Includes:
- Average residential property prices
- Average rental costs
- Relative cost of living between cities
Scores favour cities where housing costs are lower relative to income. Luxury housing and neighbourhood-level variation are not accounted for.
Employment & Economy (20%)
Measures earning potential and economic strength.
Includes:
- Median household income
- Job market depth and stability
- Economic diversity
Cities with higher incomes and broader employment bases score more highly, regardless of lifestyle appeal.
Safety (15%)
Safety is assessed using the Crime Severity Index (CSI), which accounts for both the volume and seriousness of crime.
Lifestyle & Amenities (15%)
Measures ease and quality of day-to-day living without heavy reliance on a car.
Includes:
- Walkability and urban density
- Public transport availability
- Cultural, recreational, and outdoor amenities
Climate & Environment (10%)
Based primarily on winter severity, which has the greatest impact on daily life for most residents.
Includes:
- Average winter temperatures
- Frequency of prolonged freezing conditions
Scores are relative within this city set.
UK Removals Demand (15%)
Reflects where people from the UK are actively enquiring about relocating when planning removals to Canada.
- Based on aggregated, anonymised internal enquiry data
- Represents relative demand, not final settlement outcomes
Demand is used as a contextual signal to balance livability data with real-world behaviour, without dominating the ranking.
Data sources
- Statistics Canada (income data, Crime Severity Index)
- Canadian Real Estate Association (housing prices)
- Numbeo (cost of living and rental comparisons)
- Walk Score (walkability and urban amenities)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (climate normals)
- Internal UK to Canada removals enquiry data (aggregated and anonymised)
Limitations
These rankings are comparative rather than absolute. Housing markets change, employment conditions evolve, and individual priorities differ. The results should be used as a decision-support tool, not a definitive judgement of suitability for every individual or household.
About 1st Move International
1st Move International are a specialist international moving and shipping company offering packing, shipping and shipment protection cover for shipping household goods and personal effects overseas. We have a global reach covering over 80 countries and 6500 worldwide destinations. You can get an international removals quote here or find more information on our international removals UK to Canada service here.
