Ottawa has been named the most livable city in Canada for 2026 and ranked first across all of North America for overall quality of life. Globally, the city placed 28th.
The rankings come from Numbeo, which evaluates cities based on factors such as cost of living, safety, healthcare, pollution, housing affordability, climate, and traffic commute times.
Canadian cities on the list
A total of 17 Canadian cities across seven provinces were recognized this year. Ontario had the highest number of cities featured, followed by British Columbia.
Nationally, the top five Canadian cities for quality of life in 2026 are:
- Ottawa, ON
- Nanaimo, BC
- Victoria, BC
- Vancouver, BC
- Quebec City, QC
Other cities on the list include Calgary, Halifax, Edmonton, Kelowna, Montreal, London, Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton, Regina, Winnipeg, and Hamilton.
Year-over-year changes
Ottawa rose from second place last year to lead nationally in 2026, while Calgary fell from first to sixth. Vancouver edged up slightly, and Edmonton and Mississauga declined. Brampton, Hamilton, and Nanaimo are new to the list this year.
Global context
Out of 304 cities worldwide, six Canadian cities ranked in the global top 100, down one from 2025. European cities dominated the highest positions, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland.
