Ottawa Crowned North America’s Top City for Quality of Life in 2026 Rankings
Canada’s capital leads continent-wide livability rankings
Ottawa has been named the most livable city in Canada for 2026 and has also secured the top position across all of North America in the latest international quality of life rankings. On a global scale, the city placed 28th worldwide, outperforming major metropolitan areas across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The rankings highlight Ottawa’s strong performance in key areas such as affordability, safety, healthcare quality, traffic conditions, and overall living standards, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most balanced cities for both residents and visitors.
Seventeen Canadian cities recognized for livability
Canada made a strong showing overall, with 17 cities across seven provinces earning a place among the most livable cities globally for 2026. Ontario emerged as the most represented province, followed by British Columbia.
Cities recognized by province include:
Ontario
Ottawa, London, Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Hamilton
British Columbia
Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna
Alberta
Calgary, Edmonton
Quebec
Quebec City, Montreal
Saskatchewan
Regina
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Nova Scotia
Halifax
Compared to the previous year, three cities—Brampton, Hamilton, and Nanaimo—entered the rankings for the first time, expanding Canada’s overall presence.
National rankings: How Canadian cities compare
When ranked against one another within Canada, Ottawa claimed the top spot, followed closely by several cities in British Columbia and Quebec.
Canada’s top 10 cities for quality of life in 2026
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Nanaimo, British Columbia
- Victoria, British Columbia
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Calgary, Alberta
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Kelowna, British Columbia
- Montreal, Quebec
Cities such as Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton remained competitive but experienced noticeable drops compared to their standings last year.
Shifts from last year’s rankings
The 2026 results show notable year-over-year movement:
- Ottawa climbed from second place to first nationally
- Calgary, previously ranked number one, fell several positions
- Vancouver continued a steady upward trend
- Edmonton experienced a decline
- Mississauga recorded the largest drop among top-ranked cities
These shifts reflect changing dynamics in affordability, housing pressures, traffic, and other urban indicators.
Canada’s global performance in quality of life
The rankings evaluated 304 cities across 95 countries and regions worldwide. This year, six Canadian cities placed among the global top 100, slightly fewer than the previous year.
European cities dominated the highest global positions, particularly in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark.
Several Canadian cities shared identical overall quality-of-life scores with international counterparts, including cities in the United States, New Zealand, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Despite identical total scores, individual category results—such as safety or healthcare—varied significantly between cities.
How quality of life was measured
The rankings are based on a comprehensive Quality of Life Index that combines both user-submitted data and verified information gathered from reliable public and private sources.
Key factors used in scoring include:
- Purchasing power and affordability
- Cost of living
- Housing affordability
- Pollution levels
- Public safety
- Healthcare quality
- Climate comfort
- Traffic and commute efficiency
Data collected directly from official and commercial sources is weighted more heavily to enhance accuracy, with updates conducted twice annually.
Why Ottawa stands out
Ottawa’s leading position reflects a strong balance between cost, safety, healthcare access, manageable traffic, and stable housing conditions. The city’s performance underscores why it continues to attract professionals, families, students, and newcomers seeking a high standard of living without the pressures of larger metropolitan centers.
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