Calgary named the best city in Canada to 'work and play'
A new report named Calgary the best city in the country to work and play, noting its lower cost of living and access to activities.
Tangerine recently released a list of the 10 best cities in Canada for meeting your financial goals by using its “wealth-life balance” to determine where financial growth can meet everyday happiness.
It analyzed thousands of online conversations about topics such as money, work, and lifestyle in major cities around Canada to find where people are most satisfied while pursuing their goals.
Calgary came in as the best city to work and play due to its lower costs of living and housing, and its blend of activities.
“Calgary might be one of the largest cities in Canada, but it offers a relatively low cost of living and affordable house prices, resulting in an enticing balance between your lifestyle and finances.”
Tangerine
It found that affordability was rated average in the report’s “Joy Score,” a measurement of positivity from very low to very high, but remains a top priority for residents, with an importance rank of 4.7 out of five, meaning it’s one of the most frequently mentioned aspects of life in Calgary.
According to the report, the average home price in Calgary as of September 2025 was $597,900, as of 2021, the median household income was $100,000, and Calgary’s unemployment rate is at 7.4 per cent as of December 2025.
Apart from affordability, the report also found that Calgary’s blend of activities was a big draw to the city. “The balance of urban and outdoor leisure activities, offering professionals the perfect way to unplug and maintain that mental, emotional, financial, and professional balance,” the report states.
Some other cities on the list include Saskatoon as the best city to raise a family, Halifax for buying a home, Winnipeg for low cost of living, and St. John’s for small business ownership.
You can find the full report online.