Last Updated On 14 December 2024, 9:12 AM EST (Toronto Time)
Canada continues to be a top destination for newcomers, offering diverse and thriving communities across its provinces.
Based on research published by The Globe and Mail, a new list of the 10 most livable cities in Canada for 2024 has been unveiled.
The rankings consider factors like affordability, ease of integration, availability of essential services, and overall quality of life.
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The study analyzed 448 Canadian cities with populations over 10,000, focusing on insights from individuals who immigrated to Canada in the past five years.
Researchers assessed 50 variables spanning 10 key categories:
- Economy
- Housing
- Demographics
- Healthcare
- Safety
- Education
- Community
- Amenities
- Transportation
- Climate
Below is a breakdown of the 2024 rankings alongside 2023 comparisons to highlight changes across Canada, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Prairies, and Atlantic Canada.
The top 3 most livable cities in Canada for newcomers are Victoria, North Vancouver, and Penticton, which are from beautiful British Columbia, followed by Winnipeg and Saskatoon from the prairies.
| Rank (2024) | City | Province |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria | British Columbia |
| 2 | North Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 3 | Penticton | British Columbia |
| 4 | Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| 5 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan |
| 6 | Regina | Saskatchewan |
| 7 | West Vancouver | British Columbia |
| 8 | Pitt Meadows | British Columbia |
| 9 | Whitehorse | Yukon |
| 10 | Kamloops | British Columbia |
These cities stand out as excellent destinations for newcomers due to their balance of affordability, community amenities, and overall livability.
Ontario
Erin and Oakville are ranked as the top 2 most livable cities in Ontario, followed by Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ottawa, and Guelph among the top 5.
| Rank (2024) | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Erin |
| 2 | Oakville |
| 3 | Whitchurch-Stouffville |
| 4 | Ottawa |
| 5 | Guelph |
| 6 | Lincoln |
| 7 | Woolwich |
| 8 | Burlington |
| 9 | Wellesley |
| 10 | Whitby |
British Columbia
6 cities from British Columbia are among Canada’s top 10 most livable cities in 2024.
| Rank (2024) | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria |
| 2 | North Vancouver |
| 3 | Penticton |
| 4 | West Vancouver |
| 5 | Pitt Meadows |
| 6 | Kamloops |
| 7 | Vernon |
| 8 | Terrace |
| 9 | Saanich |
| 10 | North Cowichan |
Quebec’s Most Livable Cities
| Rank | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mont-Royal, Que. | Mont-Royal, Que. |
| 2 | Québec, Que. | Rosemère, Que. |
| 3 | La Prairie, Que. | Gatineau, Que. |
| 4 | Lévis, Que. | Laval, Que. |
| 5 | Longueuil, Que. | Westmount, Que. |
| 6 | Rosemère, Que. | Longueuil, Que. |
| 7 | Boucherville, Que. | Lévis, Que. |
| 8 | Laval, Que. | La Prairie, Que. |
| 9 | Westmount, Que. | Québec, Que. |
| 10 | Chambly, Que. | Beaconsfield, Que. |
Alberta
Calgary continues to be ranked number 1 among the most livable cities in Alberta, followed by Lethbridge and the capital city, Edmonton.
| Rank (2024) | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Calgary |
| 2 | Lethbridge |
| 3 | Edmonton |
| 4 | St. Albert |
| 5 | Brooks |
| 6 | Canmore |
| 7 | Wood Buffalo |
| 8 | Olds |
| 9 | Strathcona County |
| 10 | Okotoks |
Prairies
Winnipeg in Manitoba and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan are the top 2 choices for the most livable cities in the Prairies.
| Rank (2024) | City | Province |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winnipeg | Manitoba |
| 2 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan |
| 3 | Regina | Saskatchewan |
| 4 | Brandon | Manitoba |
| 5 | Winkler | Manitoba |
| 6 | Moose Jaw | Saskatchewan |
| 7 | Steinbach | Manitoba |
| 8 | Swift Current | Saskatchewan |
| 9 | East St. Paul | Manitoba |
| 10 | Hanover | Manitoba |
Atlantic Canada
New Brunswick leads Atlantic Canada with the top 5 most livable cities in the region.
| Rank (2024) | City | Province |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fredericton | New Brunswick |
| 2 | Dieppe | New Brunswick |
| 3 | Moncton | New Brunswick |
| 4 | Quispamsis | New Brunswick |
| 5 | Saint John | New Brunswick |
| 6 | Halifax | Nova Scotia |
| 7 | Bathurst | New Brunswick |
| 8 | Charlottetown | Prince Edward Island |
| 9 | Edmundston | New Brunswick |
| 10 | Riverview | New Brunswick |
For 2024, Victoria in British Columbia takes the crown as Canada’s most livable city, followed closely by North Vancouver and Penticton.
Each region has its highlights, offering newcomers diverse choices tailored to their unique needs and preferences.
Whether you prioritize affordability, job opportunities, or quality of life, these rankings provide a reliable guide for settling in Canada.
What are the overall 20 most livable cities in Canada for 2024?
Below are the 20 most livable cities in Canada for 2024:
1. Victoria, B.C. 2. North Vancouver, B.C. 3. Penticton, B.C. 4. Winnipeg, Man. 5. Saskatoon, Sask. 6. Regina, Sask. 7. West Vancouver, B.C. 8. Pitt Meadows, B.C. 9. Whitehorse, Yukon 10. Kamloops, B.C.11. Fredericton, N.B. 12. Vernon, B.C. 13. Calgary, Alta. 14. Brandon, Man. 15. Terrace, B.C. 16. Saanich, B.C. 17. North Cowichan, B.C. 18. Erin, Ont. 19. Delta, B.C. 20. Vancouver, B.C.
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