A report released in March 2026 has named Kelowna, B. C. as the top city to live in Canada, with cities from the Greater Toronto Area, including Burlington, Oshawa, and Oakville, also making it into the top ten.
To determine which cities are the most livable across the country, a study conducted by a Toronto-based digital marketing agency called d NOVOGroup assessed financial stability, personal safety, low pollution levels, and overall livability.
Kelowna leads the rankings thanks to its nearly 500 attractions and strong sports culture that includes boating, golfing, and skiing. The city achieved a perfect score of 100 out of 100.
Ranking fourth overall is Sherbrooke, which boasts both high quality of life and some of the cleanest air in Quebec. It also took first place for disposable income at $1,641.44.
The study evaluated Canada’s 28 largest cities based on three main factors: livability, financial security, and safety. It compared average salaries against rent costs and living expenses while looking at disposable income to see how well residents can cover their bills beyond just basic needs. For livability metrics, factors included quality of life indices along with pollution levels and cultural attractions that contribute to nightlife in each city. Safety ratings were factored in too to come up with final scores ranging from 0-100.
Barrie secured second place due to its impressive safety rating (58.9) along with a solid quality of life score (177.8). The city has a vibrant cultural scene featuring 181 attractions-ice fishing being one activity it’s particularly famous for.
In third place is Abbotsford where residents enjoy financial security with the highest monthly salaries among the top five at $4,297. The reasonable cost of living allows them to retain a disposable income of $1,252 which can be spent on shopping or enjoying one of its 127 attractions that include music events and art galleries.
Windsor ($1,083.17) and Oshawa ($1,041.17) also reported high disposable incomes.
<p The remaining cities rounding out fifth through tenth spots include Sudbury, Burlington, Oshawa, Oakville, Regina and Windsor.
“The assumption that a great life costs more is getting harder to defend,” said a spokesperson for d NOVO. “Kelowna offers access to mountains, lakes, and wineries, and still manages a cost of living of just $1,400. That’s the story nobody tells: the cities punching hardest on livability aren’t the expensive ones. The best quality of life in Canada right now is hiding in smaller cities, and people are starting to figure that out.”
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In third place is Abbotsford where residents enjoy financial security with the highest monthly salaries among the top five at $4,297. The reasonable cost of living allows them to retain a disposable income of $1,252 which can be spent on shopping or enjoying one of its 127 attractions that include music events and art galleries.
Windsor ($1,083.17) and Oshawa ($1,041.17) also reported high disposable incomes.
<p The remaining cities rounding out fifth through tenth spots include Sudbury, Burlington, Oshawa, Oakville, Regina and Windsor.
“The assumption that a great life costs more is getting harder to defend,” said a spokesperson for d NOVO. “Kelowna offers access to mountains, lakes, and wineries, and still manages a cost of living of just $1,400. That’s the story nobody tells: the cities punching hardest on livability aren’t the expensive ones. The best quality of life in Canada right now is hiding in smaller cities, and people are starting to figure that out.”
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 32,876 Votes
All Time: 1,260,<517 Votes
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