Best cities to live in Canada (2026)
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Freedom House score
Press freedom rank
Grid reliability
Path to PR
Corporate tax
Montreal
78/100Vancouver
75/100Toronto
74/100Compare cities in Canada
❓ Living in Canada — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Canada?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Montreal ranks #1 in Canada with a score of 78/100, and city-centre rent from around $1309/month.
What is the safest city in Canada?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Montreal is the safest city in Canada in our database, with a rate of 2.3 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Montreal or Vancouver?▾
Montreal scores 78/100 on our Livability Score vs 75/100 for Vancouver. Rent is $1309/mo in Montreal vs $1925/mo in Vancouver. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Canada?▾
Canada offers the Canada Express Entry (complex process). Duration: Permanent residence. Key requirement: Points-based (CRS score). French speakers get a significant boost for Quebec. Also: Quebec Skilled Worker Program.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.
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