Methodology: How we ranked Canada’s most livable cities for our third edition

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.

Our analysis is based on the population centres defined by Statistics Canada, which groups large urban centres with a population of 100,000 or more. To spotlight Canada’s biggest cities, we introduced a new “major” category for those with 500,000 or more people.

Our evaluation analyzed 58 variables, mostly sourced from Environics Analytics Group Ltd., across 10 categories we’ve identified as particularly crucial for individuals who are contemplating relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.

This year, we added four new metrics to the climate category, including past and future Heating and Cooling Degree Days.

Heating Degree Days (HDD) show how many days (and by how much) the average temperature is below 18 degrees. A higher HDD means there are more cold days, so you’ll need to heat your home more often.

Cooling Degree Days (CDD) count how many days (and by how much) the average temperature is above 18. A higher CDD means more warm days, so you’ll need to cool your home more often to stay comfortable.

We also added three new variables to the Health Care category: the proportion of the population that has confidence in the health care system, the proportion of the population that trusts medical advice from health care professionals and the percentage of people who visit their family doctor more than once a year.

For each variable, the data were rescaled to generate scores ranging from 0 to 1 based on each city’s ranking position. For example, Vancouver was the second-most walkable community and received a high score of 0.997, whereas Thunder Bay ranked 182nd and received a lower score of 0.600.

We identified key categories that are crucial for individuals selecting a community to live in – such as Housing and Health Care – and weighted them more heavily than less significant categories, such as Transportation and Climate. Within each category, we prioritized variables that have a significant impact on daily life. For instance, we recognized that proximity to grocery stores is far more critical than proximity to libraries, as access to quality food directly enhances an individual’s quality of life.

Finally, we combined and averaged the scores to get a final score for each city. No city is perfect. For example, North Vancouver, B.C., ranked highest overall this year, but scored low for Housing. Even so, the ranking offers a holistic view of each community’s overall livability.

You can also tailor rankings to your preferences with our interactive tool, which lets you assign additional weights to specific categories or filter by region or population size. If all categories are selected, the customized ranking will match the original setup.

We included 20 extra community features that aren’t part of the main ranking to help show what makes each city unique.

To accommodate people’s priorities at different stages of life, we created sub-rankings for the best cities to live in for people graduating from university, starting a family or business, going through midlife transitions to retirement or who are new to the country. Six additional variables have been explicitly included in the corresponding sub-rankings, in addition to those used for the main ranking.

We use Statscan’s Census Subdivisions (CSD) definition of a city, which typically matches municipal borders. For special cases such as Lloydminster (which straddles Alberta and Saskatchewan), North Vancouver, Langley, B.C., and Moncton, N.B., Statscan lists them as separate areas. For our rankings, we combined pairs into a single city, which aligns with general perceptions.

Our ranking covers cities across all provinces and territories, except Nunavut, where no town meets our population threshold.

Ten CSDs have been added this year because their populations meet our threshold, while four have been removed from the list due to population decreases. This includes two cities in Alberta (Olds and Hinton), as well as one each in Ontario (Mono) and British Columbia (Quesnel).

Most data were sourced from Environics Analytics and its third-party licensors, when applicable, including modelled and estimated data that may not precisely match actual data. Demographic data from Environics Analytics, including population and household makeup, was calculated as of July 1, 2025.

Statscan updated the methodology for its Proximity Measures Database. As a result, all our proximity variables this year for Amenities, Community, Education, Health Care, Housing and Transportation are affected, as Environics relies on this database for its data collection, and may not align with those of the past two editions.

We sourced rent data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC). For climate data, we used historical records from 1981 to 2010 and future projections for 2021 to 2050, based on a moderate emissions scenario. This information comes from the Canadian Centre for Climate Services (CCCS) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

Since this is a continuing project and we keep improving our data and methods, year-to-year comparisons aren’t exact. It’s best to be cautious when comparing results across years.

Categories and Variables

Housing

This category evaluates the affordability and accessibility of housing options for seniors.

Average cost of primary real estate: The lower the better. Real estate values can be highly volatile, depending on housing market conditions. As a result, our data represent the value at a point in time and might not perfectly reflect the current housing market. Analysis numbers are modelled from data collected up to the end of 2024.
Average property tax: The lower the better.
Average household dwelling expenditure: The average expenses associated with accommodation, including rent and mortgage payments, alongside other costs required to sustain and manage a property for living purposes. The lower the better.
The proportion of households that spent 30 per cent of income or more on housing: The lower the better.
Seniors’ housing per capita: The number of continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for seniors per 10,000 household population. The higher the better.

Additional notes for average rent: Our average rent figure, which isn’t used in the ranking calculation but is provided as additional information for the city, may not precisely match the actual data due to the lack of direct rental data for areas with populations over 10,000. We used CMHC 2025 rental data for two-bedroom units from 374 cities, for which data were either available at the city level or averaged across a larger metropolitan area that encompasses the city. For example, for Toronto and Brampton, Ont., we used rent data for Statscan’s Census Metropolitan Area of Toronto, which includes those cities. We have explicitly noted the boundary distinctions and missing data for the remaining 80 cities in their profiles.

Health Care

This category evaluates the accessibility and quality of health care services, and residents’ general perception of their health status.

Proportion of the population with a regular health care provider: The higher the better.
Proximity to health care: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block (the smallest area measured by the census) to any dissemination block with a health care facility within a driving distance of three kilometres. The higher the better.
Proportion of the population able to receive immediate care for minor problems within three days: The higher the better.
Proportion of the population perceiving their physical health as good to excellent: The higher the better.
Proportion of the population perceiving their mental health as good to excellent: The higher the better.
Frailty index: The proportion of the population who may face difficulty in day-to-day activities due to age, physical limitations or health impediments. The lower the better.
Proportion of the population having somewhat to complete confidence in the health care system: The higher the better.
Proportion of the population who somewhat to completely trust the medical advice of health care professionals: The higher the better.
Proportion of the population who visit their family doctor more than once a year: The higher the better.

Economy

This category assesses a city’s financial health by examining its job market, income levels, taxes, overall cost of living and economic stability.

Ratio of average household income tax to average household income: The lower the better.
Median household income: The higher the better.
Financial vulnerability index: The proportion of populations that have difficulty meeting financial obligations such as housing, necessities and managing debt after a sudden loss of income. The lower the better.
Unemployment rate: Estimates as of July 1, 2025. The lower the better.
Average monthly household expenditure on food, transportation and recreation: The lower the better.

Safety

This category examines the likelihood of crimes and residents’ overall confidence in public safety.

Likelihood of crime: This index provides forecasts of crime and loss based on more than 100 demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as predictors of behaviour, police reports and client loss incidents. The lower the better.
Proportion of the population having good to great confidence in police: The higher the better. To compensate for missing data in territories, we used averaged data from adjacent CSDs in B.C. for Whitehorse, and from adjacent CSDs in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan for Yellowknife.
Proportion of the population having good to great confidence in neighbours: The higher the better. To compensate for missing data in territories, we used averaged data from adjacent CSDs in B.C. for Whitehorse, and from adjacent CSDs in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan for Yellowknife.

Amenities

This category catalogues essential facilities, recreational and entertainment options, parks and other leisure opportunities available to residents in the community.

Chains per 10,000 population who live in private households: Contains coffee and doughnut shops, pizza stores, quick-service restaurants, sit-down dining and specialty items chains with five or more locations. The higher the better.
Financial institutions per 10,000 population who live in private households: Includes banks and credit unions. The higher the better.
Gyms per 10,000 population who live in private households: The higher the better.
Movie theatres and large gathering venues per 10,000 population who live in private households: The higher the better.
Places of worship per 10,000 population who live in private households: The higher the better.
Proximity to child care: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block to any dissemination block with a child care facility within a walking distance of 1.5 km. The higher the better.
Proximity to grocery store: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block to any dissemination block with a grocery store within a walking distance of 1 km. The higher the better.
Proximity to library: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block to any dissemination block with a library within a 1.5 km walking distance. The higher the better.
Proximity to parks: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block to any dissemination block with a neighbourhood park within a 1 km walking distance. The higher the better.
Museums and galleries per 10,000 population who live in private households: The higher the better.

Demographics

This category focuses on a city’s stability and sustainability, including population growth, diversity and cultural richness.

Deviation of five-year population change from the Canadian average: Most points are awarded to cities where the absolute population change from 2020 to 2025 most closely aligns with the Canadian average over that period.
Diversity indicator index: The index encompasses three variables: the percentage of the population whose mother tongue is not English or French, the percentage of the population who are first- or second-generation immigrants, and the percentage of the population who are visible minorities. The higher the better.

Community

This category prioritizes social engagement venues, community events, volunteer opportunities and the sense of belonging and connectivity within the city.

Community centres per 10,000 population living in private households: The higher the better.
GreenLiving index: This index from Environics Analytics measures attitudes and behaviours regarding household-related environmental issues using a catalogue of 27 variables, including using alternative energy sources at home, using energy-saving lights at home, purchasing green cleaning products, volunteering for the conservation or protection of the environment, and so on. The higher the better.
The proportion of the population with a strong sense of belonging to the community: The higher the better.
The proportion of the population participating in volunteer work, including formal and informal activities. The higher the better.

Education

This category assesses the educational qualifications of the community and the availability of academic institutions in the area.

Proportion of the population with education beyond high school: The higher the better.
Proximity to schools: Measures the closeness of a dissemination block to any dissemination block with a primary or secondary school within a walking distance of 1.5 km. The higher the better.
Higher education institutions per 10,000 people living in private households: This includes universities, colleges and professional schools. The higher the better.

Transportation

This category examines the public transportation system, accessibility and overall ease of getting around the city.

Proportion of households within 45 minutes of an airport: The percentage of all families that have a 45-minute drive time or less to an international or local airport. Data are from 2025. The higher the better.
Proximity to transit: The proportion of the population living within 1 km of any source of public transportation. Data from 2021. The higher the better.
Walkable community: Proportion of the population who live within walking distance to employment, pharmacies, child care, health care, groceries, primary education, secondary education, libraries, parks and public transit. The higher the better.
Commuting to work by driving: This measures the average time, in minutes, that residents spend on moving from home to work. The shorter the better.
Commuting to work by public transit: This measures the average time, in minutes, that residents spend on taking public transit from home to work. The shorter the better.

Climate

This category lists extreme weather, climate patterns, and seasonal conditions from the past and projected for the future. The climate data are 30-year averages from 1981 to 2010, and future projections cover 2021 to 2050 under a moderate emissions scenario (SSP2-4.5). The humidex data comes from the CMIP6 Humidex Indices dataset and the rest is from the Canadian Downscaled Climate Scenarios-multivariate dataset for CMIP6 (CanDCS-M6).

Humidex over 35: The number of days per year when the humidex is greater than 35. This index indicates the number of hot, humid days in the year. The lower the better.
Maximum temperature over 30: The number of days per year when the daytime high temperature is warmer than 30 degrees. The lower the better.
Minimum temperature under -15: The number of days per year when the daytime low temperature is colder than -15. The lower the better.
More than 10 millimetres of precipitation: The number of days per year when at least 10 mm of precipitation (rain and snow combined) falls. The lower the better.
Heating Degree Days: A sum of how far below 18 each day’s average temperature is over time. The higher the number of Heating Degree Days, the more you will need to heat your home. The lower the better.
Cooling Degree Days: A sum of how far above 18 each day’s average temperature is over time. A higher number of Cooling Degree Days means you will need to cool your home more often. The lower the better.
Projected humidex over 35: The estimated number of days per year when the humidex is greater than 35. This index indicates the number of hot, humid days in the year. The lower the better.
Projected maximum temperature over 30: The estimated number of days per year when the daytime high temperature is warmer than 30. The lower the better.
Projected minimum temperature under -15: The estimated number of days per year when the daytime low temperature is colder than -15. The lower the better.
Projected more than 10 millimetres of precipitation: The estimated number of days per year when at least 10 mm of precipitation (rain and snow combined) falls. The lower the better.
Projected Heating Degree Days: Projections of the sum of how far below 18 each day’s average temperature is over time. The higher the number of Heating Degree Days, the more you will need to heat your home. The lower the better.
Projected Cooling Degree Days: Projections of the sum of how far above 18 each day’s average temperature is over time. A higher number of Cooling Degree Days means you will need to cool your home more often. The lower the better.

Sub-rankings

Young Professionals

Our young professionals ranking is designed for recent postsecondary graduates who are seeking a dynamic blend of vibrant job prospects, affordable housing and an active social environment. Unlike our overall ranking, it also takes into account the percentages of non-family households and one-person households. This is useful for young people who are seeking people with similar living arrangements, whether alone, with roommates or with friends. We also put a heavier weight on economic factors and amenities to cater to a group who are most likely looking to find a job – and have a good time. Meanwhile, Education and Climate were given the lowest priority in our evaluation criteria.

Raising Kids

For this family-focused ranking, we placed greater importance on variables related to housing and amenities, including child care and other recreational and educational facilities. We wanted to identify affordable and safe communities that offer access to quality education and health care. Unlike our overall ranking, this one also included the percentage of families with children at home to identify communities with a higher child concentration.

Midlife Transitions

Midlife is a time of change for many people. Some may be settled in their careers but going through a divorce or have grown children who have moved out. These people might want to downsize and move to communities with stronger social ties and more social activities. For this ranking, we included the percentage of families without children to help people in midlife find others at a similar stage. We also focused on economic and health care factors to reflect continuing career goals and future health needs.

Retirement

When considering the best places to retire, we prioritized affordable housing, strong communities and health care. An average retiree seeks a safe, peaceful environment with good health care facilities, pleasant weather and a range of leisure activities. In addition to the variables used for the main ranking, we’ve incorporated data on the share of the population aged 65 and over, aiming to pinpoint communities where retirees are most likely to find opportunities to socialize.

Newcomers

This ranking, intended for individuals who have moved to Canada in the past five years, emphasizes ease of integration into the community, access to basic amenities and affordable housing. To reflect their needs, we placed greater weight on demographic factors, the economy and housing variables.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs look for a thriving economy, good infrastructure, networking opportunities, accessible transportation and a supportive business environment. In this ranking, we prioritized economic factors, low commute times and low taxes. We also assigned lower weights to Housing and Amenities, presuming these individuals would be more focused on professional growth than on their home lives.