In this family-focused ranking, we highlight communities that prioritize housing, education and accessibility to child care. Our goal is to identify neighbourhoods where affordable housing meets quality education, creating a brighter future for families. Unlike our overall ranking, this one also considers the percentage of families with children living at home.
This is one of six rankings designed to help individuals find the best city for their needs at different stages of life. When considering a move to a new city, it’s understandable that you have many factors on your mind. This decision is deeply personal, but looking at a city’s livability ranking may provide some reassurance and guidance as you navigate this important choice.
We have gathered data from 454 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. Our evaluation analyzed 58 variables across 10 categories that we identified as crucial for anyone contemplating a relocation. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.
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Our methodology
When considering a move to a new city, it’s understandable that you have many factors on your mind. This decision is deeply personal, but looking at a city’s livability ranking may provide some reassurance and guidance as you navigate this important choice.
The third edition of The Globe and Mail’s Most Livable Cities ranking includes 454 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000.
This year, we added a population filter to our rankings. In addition to customizing our rankings by category, you can now filter cities based on size: small (10,000-29,999), mid-sized (30,000-99,999), large (100,000-499,999) and major (500,000+). This feature was developed in response to user feedback to ensure that our livability assessments are fair and precise, enabling better comparisons between cities of different sizes.