10 best places to live in Canada for affordability and quality of life
Prices are certainly an important factor for any Canadian interested in buying a home, but other factors, such as quality of life, crime, and population, can make or break a decision about where to live.
Toronto and Vancouver might be at the top of peopleās wish lists, but their expensive housing markets put them out of reach for many Canadians. And it’s not just those two cities. Even after a recent market slowdown, the average home price across Canada was still $666,538 in September.
With interest rates climbing to 2.5 per cent as of Oct. 28, not to mention ongoing economic uncertainty, many Canadians are still weighing their options when it comes to buying a home.
To find the best cities in Canada that offer a balance of affordability and quality of life, real estate marketplace Zolo examined 36 cities, ranking them according to several factors.
Beyond home prices, Zolo analyzed household income, population growth, crime rates, unemployment, access to a primary healthcare provider, walkability and even the number of sunny days per year.
Guelph, Ont., was ranked as the best place to live in Canada.
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The city, known for its prestigious university, parks and craft breweries, boasts a higher-than-average household income, plus lower-than-average unemployment and crime rates, all which Zolo says are what would make someone want to move there.
According to the report, the benchmark home price in Guelph was $720,200 in September 2026, which is the most expensive spot on the list; however, its strong performance across the aforementioned categories is what earned it the top spot.
While Guelph only has a population of about 165,588, most of the top 10 spots in Canada are large cities, thanks to good employment opportunities, higher-than-average household income, and low average home prices.
Winnipeg, Man., was ranked the second-best place to live in Canada, moving up the list from eighth place last year.
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According to Zolo, the cost of living in the city is nine per cent lower than the national average. While the average household income is $99,600 per year, homes are considerably more affordable than in Guelph, with a benchmark price of $392,100.
“While the cold, snowy winters have earned the city its nickname ‘Winterpeg,’ it is actually one of the sunniest cities in Canada. Residents embrace the weather and spend plenty of time outdoors exploring one of the many parks, trails, or lakes,’ reads the report.
Two Saskatchewan cities land in the third and fourth spots: Regina and Saskatoon.
In Regina, home prices are more than 47 per cent cheaper than the national average, with a benchmark price of $343,900. The province also boasts a lower-than-average income tax rate and the second-lowest sales tax rate in Canada, helping residents make their money go further.
Rounding out the top 10 is Halifax, N.S., with an impressive walkability score of 97, significantly higher than the other cities on the list with scores in the 30s and 40s.
According to the report, the average household income in Halifax is $98,900, slightly lower than Winnipeg’s. However, the city is experiencing significant population growth, and its benchmark home price of $541,700 is the lowest it has been since December 2024.
“Although the benchmark home price has increased sharply between late 2020 and early 2022, finding an affordable home in Halifax is getting easier in late 2026,” reads the report.
To learn more about the 10 best places to live in Canada, you can read the full report on Zolo’s website.