Edmonton has been named one of the world’s top 100 cities in a new global study that highlights the city’s status as a thriving cultural hub.
Resonance and Ipsos Research just released their list of the World’s Best Cities for 2025, and Edmonton ranked 65th on the global list.
The report looked at cities with over a million people, combining stats and user-generated data from platforms like Google, Tripadvisor, and Instagram. The ranking considers various factors, including affordability, education, and overall quality of life.
YEG stood out for its educational attainment, ranking seventh globally — thanks partly to the University of Alberta — and 22nd for poverty reduction.
“The environment for a molecular evolution from a chilly resource town into a curated hotbed isolated just enough to do its own thing has been here for years,” the report wrote.
The city’s “reinvigorated” downtown, new development in the ICE District, and Edmonton’s plethora of festivals were all mentioned as contributing to YEG being one of the best places to live.
“The University of Alberta, healthy immigration and the government dollars that come with being a provincial capital have long empowered the City of Festivals.”
Some festivals that received a shoutout included Fringe, the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, and the “increasingly important” Edmonton International Film Festival.
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One of Edmonton’s biggest draws? The cost of living is lower here than in most large Canadian cities.
“City leaders are clearly planning for another million residents and 500,000 new jobs over the next 20 years. Boasting some of Canadaās most affordable urban real estate will have that effect.”
Lastly, the city’s river valley is a massive draw, with Edmonton ranking 24th globally for tree cover.
Our neighbours to the south in Calgary may have landed at 54th, but YEG’s unique vibe makes it one to watch!
You can read the full report here.