For UK movers, the best places to live in Canada are Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Together, these cities account for 37% of UK to Canada relocation demand.
Toronto alone accounts for almost 16% of relocation interest, ahead of Vancouver (12.15%) and Calgary (8.99%). Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton each follow at around 4-5%.
This study is based on our own aggregated UK-to-Canada enquiry data (where British movers are actually heading) alongside public data on living costs, jobs, safety and climate for context.
Best Places to Live in Canada: 2026 Rankings
Here’s how the six most-requested Canadian cities rank by their share of our UK to Canada removals demand.
| Rank | City | Share of UK-to-Canada removals interest |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto, ON | 15.91% |
| 2 | Vancouver, BC | 12.15% |
| 3 | Calgary, AB | 8.99% |
| 4 | Ottawa, ON | 4.64% |
| 5 | Montreal, QC | 4.55% |
| 6 | Edmonton, AB | 4.35% |
How the popular choices compare on quality of life
The cities UK movers pick most aren’t always the ones that rank the as “the best” according to public data, and where these two diverge can offer some interesting insight into what really matters for UK movers who are deciding on the best places to live in Canada.
Below, our demand ranking sits next to each city’s relative place in Numbeo’s 2026 Quality of Life in Canada Index, an independent ranking based on safety, healthcare, cost of living, housing, commute, pollution and climate.
| City | Demand rank (our data) | Relative quality of life rank (Numbeo) |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 1 | 6 |
| Vancouver | 2 | 3 |
| Calgary | 3 | 4 |
| Ottawa | 4 | 1 |
| Montreal | 5 | 5 |
| Edmonton | 6 | 2 |
| Current as of June 2026 |
What the data reveals
- Popularity and quality of life often pull in different directions. Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal land in similar spots on both. But the outliers tell the story: Toronto is the most-chosen city yet sits last of the six for quality of life, while Edmonton and Ottawa score near the top for quality of life but are among the least chosen.
- Demand concentrates in the big job markets. Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary alone account for 37% of our enquiries.
- We can see where, not why. Our data shows where people are heading, not their reasons, though the pull of the biggest cities is consistent.
1. Toronto, Ontario
UK demand rank: 1st
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 15.91%
Toronto is the single most requested destination for UK movers to Canada, taking nearly one in six of our enquiries and finishing well clear of any other city. In our own enquiries it leans towards career movers and young families, plus a steady number of Canadians returning home. It suits people who want the deepest job market and the widest amenities, and who can absorb Canada’s highest housing costs.
What the public data says about living in Toronto
Toronto has Canada’s largest and most diverse job market, spanning finance, technology, healthcare, professional services and media. Median after-tax household income across the metro area is around CAD $85,000, among the highest of the six. On safety it has one of the lowest Crime Severity Indexes of the six, behind only Ottawa, and it has the most extensive public transport network in the country, though walkability varies by neighbourhood.
The trade-off is cost. The benchmark home price across the Greater Toronto Area is around CAD $945,000, the second highest of the six and well above the national norm. That feeds into a higher overall cost of living, so anyone prioritising value or space gets less here than almost anywhere else on this list. Winters are cold, with sustained sub-zero spells, though milder than Ottawa, Montreal or Edmonton. Notably, for all its popularity, Toronto ranks last of the six on Numbeo’s 2026 quality-of-life index.
Who Toronto suits
Toronto is the strongest fit for career-driven movers who want job opportunities, safety and big-city amenities, and who can absorb higher housing costs in return. It is a weaker fit for anyone moving primarily for affordability, space or a quieter pace.
2. Vancouver, British Columbia
Overall position: 2nd
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 12.15%
Vancouver is our second most requested Canadian destination, behind only Toronto. In our own enquiries it draws a lot of lifestyle-led movers and families attracted by the coast and the milder climate. It suits people who want walkable city living and quick access to the sea and mountains, and who can absorb the highest housing costs in the country to get them.
What the data says about living in Vancouver
Vancouver scores top of this group for lifestyle and amenities, helped by strong walkability in central neighbourhoods, extensive public transport, and immediate access to beaches, mountains and outdoor recreation. Its winters are the mildest of the six cities here, far warmer than inland and eastern Canada.
The catch is affordability. The benchmark home price sits at around CAD $1,098,000, the highest of the six, with rents to match, which places Vancouver last for affordability. Its Crime Severity Index is higher than every city here except Edmonton, so it scores lower on safety than its reputation might suggest. Even so it holds up well overall, ranking third of the six on Numbeo’s 2026 quality-of-life index.
Who Vancouver suits
Vancouver is the strongest fit for movers who put lifestyle, mild weather and outdoor access first, and who can comfortably absorb high housing and living costs to get them. It is a weaker fit for anyone whose priority is value, space or being near the top for everyday safety.
3. Calgary, Alberta
Overall position: 3rd
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 8.99%
Calgary is our third most requested Canadian destination, drawing a little over half the enquiries Toronto does. In our own enquiries it tends to attract families and professionals, including many in energy, engineering and finance, moving for value and career rather than climate. It is one of the better-balanced cities for UK movers, pairing the highest incomes of the six with some of the most affordable housing among the major cities.
What the data says about living in Calgary
Calgary has the highest median after-tax household income of the six cities, at around CAD $87,000, supported by a strong job market across energy, engineering, finance and corporate services. It pairs that with genuinely affordable housing: the benchmark home price is around CAD $569,000, roughly half the price of a typical Vancouver home and well below Toronto’s. On safety it sits mid-pack, with its Crime Severity Index having fallen sharply in 2024. Winters are long and cold, and the city is more car-dependent than Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal.
Who Calgary suits
Calgary is the strongest fit for professionals and families who prioritise income, housing value and long-term financial stability, and who will trade milder weather and dense city living for affordability and career opportunity. It is a weaker fit for anyone set on a mild climate or a walkable, urban lifestyle.
4. Ottawa, Ontario
Overall position: 4th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.64%
Ottawa is our fourth most requested Canadian destination. In our own enquiries it leans towards families and public-sector professionals. It suits movers who want a safe, stable, good-value capital, and notably it tops Numbeo’s 2026 quality-of-life ranking of the six.
What the data says about living in Ottawa
Ottawa is the safest of the six, with the lowest Crime Severity Index in 2024. It is anchored by stable public-sector employment across government, administration and defence, plus a growing tech sector, with median household income around CAD $84,000 after tax. Housing is far more affordable than the big coastal cities, with an MLS HPI benchmark around CAD $630,000 as of April 2026. The trade-offs are long, cold winters and low walkability, so it is a car-dependent city outside the core.
Who Ottawa suits
Ottawa is the strongest fit for families and professionals who prioritise safety, stable employment and value, and who are happy with a quieter pace. It is a weaker fit for anyone chasing nightlife, a mild climate or a highly walkable big-city feel.
5. Montreal, Quebec
Overall position: 5th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.55%
Montreal is our fifth most requested Canadian destination. In our own enquiries it tends to attract culture-drawn movers and those comfortable in French. It suits people who want a walkable, culturally rich city at a lower cost than Toronto or Vancouver, provided the language is not a barrier.
What the data says about living in Montreal
Montreal is one of the more affordable big cities here, with an MLS HPI benchmark well below Toronto and Vancouver as of April 2026, and it is the second most walkable of the six. The trade-offs are income and language: median household income is the lowest of the six at around CAD $65,500 after tax, and many professional roles require French, which narrows options for UK movers who do not speak it. Winters are long and cold.
Who Montreal suits
Montreal is the strongest fit for movers who value culture, walkability and lower costs, and who are bilingual or willing to learn French. It is a weaker fit for those who need an English-only job market or higher earning power.
6. Edmonton, Alberta
Overall position: 6th
Share of UK to Canada enquiries: 4.35%
Edmonton is our sixth most requested Canadian destination, the smallest share of the six. In our own enquiries it tends to attract value-focused movers and those in energy and the trades. It suits people who put affordability and earning power first and can handle a hard winter.
What the data says about living in Edmonton
Edmonton is the most affordable of the six, with the lowest MLS HPI benchmark at around CAD $432,000 as of April 2026, well under half the cost of Vancouver. Incomes are strong for the price, with median household income around CAD $84,000 after tax, supported by energy, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and public services. The trade-offs are real: it has the highest Crime Severity Index of the six in 2024, and the coldest, longest winters.
Despite the winters and the crime figures, its affordability helps it rank second of the six on Numbeo’s 2026 quality-of-life index.
Who Edmonton suits
Edmonton is the strongest fit for movers who prioritise affordability and income, particularly in energy, technical or public-sector roles, and who are unfazed by extreme winters. It is a weaker fit for those who rank safety, climate or walkability highly.
Planning your move to Canada from the UK
Once you have chosen a city, a few practical things are worth lining up early:
- Visas and residency. Most UK movers arrive through Express Entry, a Provincial Nominee Program, or a family or work route. Check your eligibility early, as processing times shape your whole timeline.
- Healthcare. Public healthcare is run province by province, and some provinces apply a waiting period of up to three months before cover starts, so plan for private cover in the gap.
- Cost of living. Budget beyond the house price for provincial taxes, heating and car costs, which vary widely between, say, Vancouver and Edmonton.
- Shipping your home. Sea freight from the UK takes several weeks, so decide early what to ship and what to replace, and book in good time.
For the full picture, see our guide to moving to Canada from the UK.
And when you are ready to move, get a free quote for removals to Canada.
Sources and data
The figures on this page combine our own relocation enquiry data with established public datasets, current as of the dates shown. Last reviewed June 2026.
- UK to Canada relocation demand: 1st Move International, aggregated and anonymised enquiry data.
- Quality of life ranking: Numbeo 2026 Quality of Life Index.
- House prices: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) MLS Home Price Index and local real estate boards, benchmark prices as of April 2026.
- Median household income: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census (median after-tax household income, 2020).
- Crime Severity Index: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime, 2024.
- Climate: Government of Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991 to 2020.
- Walkability: Walk Score
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.
