When people consider relocating to a new city, many factors come into play. Choosing a city is a personal decision, and a city’s livability ranking aims to help individuals make more informed choices based on comparable, balanced measures.
This year, The Globe and Mail’s third Most Livable Cities ranking included 454 cities across the country, each with a population over 10,000. We added new climate variables to measure how long periods of cold or heat affect energy costs, strain infrastructure and cause discomfort. We also included three new factors in the Health Care category. Health care quality now looks at the availability of hospitals and doctors, how much people trust the system and how often they use its services.
Our evaluation analyzed 58 variables across 10 categories we’ve identified as particularly crucial for individuals contemplating relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.
Explore our complete list of 454 cities across the country, featuring rankings in each of our 10 categories. This data shows how each city performed compared to others, and you can also view its ranking from the previous list.
You can read our category definitions below and find more information about the variables we used in our methodology.
Economy assesses a city’s financial health by examining its job market, income levels, taxes and overall economic stability.
Housing evaluates the affordability and accessibility of housing options for seniors.
Demographics focuses on a city’s stability and sustainability in terms of population growth, diversity and cultural richness.
Health Care evaluates the accessibility and quality of health care services, residents’ general perception of their health status, how much people trust the system and how often they use its services.
Safety examines the likelihood of crimes and residents’ overall confidence in public safety.
Education assesses the educational qualifications of the community and the availability of educational institutions in the area.
Community prioritizes social engagement venues, community events, volunteer opportunities, and the sense of belonging and connectivity within the city.
Amenities catalogues essential facilities, recreational and entertainment options, parks and other leisure opportunities available to residents in the community.
Transportation examines the public transportation system, accessibility and overall ease of getting around the city.
Climate catalogues extreme climate, weather patterns, and overall seasonal conditions of the past and the projected future climate.