Edmonton ranks high for top places to live in Canada in 2026

Edmonton has been named the third-best place to live in Canada in 2026, according to a new report ranking the country’s top cities.

Global Citizen Solutions, an international consultancy firm, said 325 annual days of sunshine, affordable housing and the city’s reputation as “Festival City” helped Edmonton secure a spot on the podium.

The report found the average home price in the city is $391,612, with an annual average wage between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. Major employers include agriculture, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, real estate and retail.

West Edmonton Mall, unsurprisingly, was also highlighted as a major draw for shopping, dining and entertainment, and events like the Heritage Festival stood out as reasons for its high ranking.

“The city has a strong economy that balances amenities such as modern healthcare facilities, affordable property prices, and plenty of outdoor activities.”

Global Citizen Solutions ranks its best places to live in Canada for 2026 by examining factors such as job market, affordability and quality of life.

It noted that mid-sized cities such as Edmonton, Fredericton, and Winnipeg offer far more affordable home ownership than the high prices in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto.

Waterloo, Ottawa, and Halifax were highlighted as offering competitive salaries, growing tech and life sciences industries, and a better balance of cost and quality of life.

Calgary topped the list, followed by Ottawa. Other cities in the top 15 included Montreal, Vancouver, Hamilton and Charlottetown.

You can read the full report on the Global Citizen Solutions website.