Calgary leaps over Edmonton in ranking of happiest Canadian cities
There will always be a gentle rivalry between Edmonton and Calgary, and when it comes to which residents are happiest, Cowtown took that title over the City of Champions.
The 2025 edition of the Leger Happiness Index revealed thatĀ on average, Canadians rated their happiness at 68.7 out of 100.
Mississauga, Ont., appears to be home to the happiest Canadians, as the city boasts the highest happiness index in the country at 70.3. Located near Toronto, Mississauga is the third most populous city in the province.
At number two is Montreal, Que., which has a happiness index of 69.4, followed by Hamilton, Ont., with 67.5.
When it comes to happiness here in Alberta, Calgary claimed a higher ranking than Edmonton, landing in fourth place with a happiness index of 67.4. Edmonton came in seventh, scoring a happiness index of 66.3.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
Here’s where Canada’s top 10 largest cities rank when it comes to happiness:
- Mississauga, Ont. ā 70.3
- Montreal, Que. ā 69.4
- Hamilton, Ont. ā 67.5
- Calgary, Alta. ā 67.4
- Brampton, Ont. ā 66.7
- Ottawa, Ont. ā 66.4
- Edmonton, Alta. ā 66.3
- Vancouver, B.C. ā 66.3
- Winnipeg, Man. ā 65.9
- Toronto, Ont. ā 65.8
Although Ontario is home to some of the happiest cities in Canada, when compared to other provinces, Ontario is only in the eighth spot. The happiest province in Canada is Quebec, with an index of 72.4. Alberta landed in sixth place with an index score of 68.
A web survey was conducted among 39,841 Canadians aged 18 and over who could speak English or French, with data being collected from March 31 to April 13, 2025.
According to the World Happiness Report, in 2013, Canada was the sixth-happiest country in the world, while in 2025, it fell to the 18th spot. And compared to 2024, this year, 28 per cent said that they felt less happy than they did last year, while 23 per cent said that their happiness levels improved.
“These results reveal a population that is both resilient and tested, affected by everyday uncertainty and challenges,” reads the report. “Happiness, while holding its ground overall, shows signs of fragility.”
You can view the full Leger Happiness Index online.
With files from Irish Mae SilvestreĀ