When it comes to liveability in Canada, BC’s capital city continues to impress.
Victoria has been named the third most liveable city in Canada for 2024, according to The Globe and Mail‘s annual Canada’s Most Liveable Cities rankings.
The ranking, which assessed 448 communities with populations over 10,000, used 50 variables across 10 key categories to determine which cities come out on top.
Factors like economy, housing, health care, amenities, and climate were given significant weight, with responses from a national survey helping to shape the list.
Victoria’s high ranking doesn’t come as a surprise. Residents enjoy stunning natural surroundings, rich food and art scenes (given the city’s size), and relatively mild year-round weather compared to the rest of Canada. Plus, residents’ focus on active transportation in BC’s capital is unlike any other place in the country. The city’s size strikes a balance between urban amenities and small-town charm.
However, Victoria’s success comes with challenges. Housing affordability remains largely out of reach for many residents. Despite this, the city’s overall quality of life continues to draw people in.
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BC cities dominated this year’s rankings, with North Vancouver claiming the top spot, followed by West Vancouver in second place. Other notable BC communities in the top 10 include Pitt Meadows (#8) and Penticton (#10).
The Globe and Mail’s most liveable cities in Canada for 2024:
1. North Vancouver, BC
2. West Vancouver, BC
3. Victoria, BC
4. Winnipeg, MB
5. Regina, SK
6. Saskatoon, SK
7. Calgary, AB
8. Pitt Meadows, BC
9. Penticton, BC
10. Oakville, ON
11. Port Coquitlam, BC
12. Vancouver, BC
13. Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON
14. Delta, BC
15. New Westminster, BC
16. Ottawa, ON
17. Whitby, ON
18. Mont-Royal, QC
19. Erin, ON
20. Port Moody, BC
21. Guelph, ON
22. Saanich, BC
23. Langley, BC
24. Burlington, ON
25. St. Albert, AB
26. Kamloops, BC
27. Edmonton, AB
28. Vaughan, ON
29. Pickering, ON
30. Oak Bay, BC
31. Vernon, BC
32. Brandon, MB
33. Fredericton, NB
34. Westmount, QC
35. Woolwich, ON
36. Dieppe, NB
37. Coquitlam, BC
38. Boucherville, QC
39. Halifax, NS
40. Nanaimo, BC
41. Terrace, BC
42. Lethbridge, AB
43. Nelson, BC
44. White Rock, BC
45. Rosemère, QC
46. Québec, QC
47. Strathcona County, AB
48. Newmarket, ON
49. Moncton, NB
50. Colwood, BC
51. Maple Ridge, BC
52. Ajax, ON
53. Yellowknife, NWT
54. Charlottetown, PEI
55. Whitehorse, YT
56. Hamilton, ON
57. Lévis, QC
58. La Prairie, QC
59. Okotoks, AB
60. Canmore, AB
61. North Cowichan, BC
62. Fort St. John, BC
63. Pelham, ON
64. Prince George, BC
65. Parksville, BC
66. Kingston, ON
67. North Dumfries, ON
68. Markham, ON
69. Laval, QC
70. Chilliwack, BC
71. Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC
72. Cranbrook, BC
73. Milton, ON
74. Abbotsford, BC
75. Centre Wellington, ON
76. Moose Jaw, SK
77. Lincoln, ON
78. Wood Buffalo, AB
79. Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC
80. Mission, BC
81. Comox, BC
82. Toronto, ON
83. Mississauga, ON
84. Surrey, BC
85. Halton Hills, ON
86. Sidney, BC
87. Guelph/Eramosa,ON
88. Squamish, BC
89. Central Saanich, BC
90. Longueuil, QC
91. Richmond, BC
92. Quispamsis, NB
93. Olds, AB
94. Chambly, QC
95. LaSalle, ON
96. Campbell River, BC
97. Tecumseh, ON
98. Richmond Hill, ON
99. St. John’s, NL
100. Rouyn-Noranda, QC
Click here to see the full list.