It’s another one of those lists that declares how great it is to live in certain cities, and two B.C. spots have been named among the best places in Canada.
This ranking comes from Global Citizen Solutions, which has ranked 15 municipalities as the best in Canada.
While two B.C. cities made the list, they didn’t rank among the top five. However, if you guessed the two cities in question are Vancouver and Victoria, you are correct!
Unfortunately, you don’t win anything for guessing the correct answer.
A few factors were considered in the report, including the city’s largest industries, the average salary, and the average home price.
Calgary came out on top as the best place to live in Canada with an average salary of $58,243 and an average home price of $653,903.
Best places in Canada: Victoria
The legacy “CANADA” sign from Canada 150 at Victoria Inner Harbour, as seen in February 2025. (Kenneth Chan)
Victoria came in at number six, a couple of spots ahead of eighth-ranked Vancouver. The report suggests that the average salary in Victoria is around $54,007, with an average home price of $961,000.
Victoria’s biggest employers, according to the report, include technology, tourism, transportation, hospitality, and healthcare. The report also calls it a great place for young Canadians.
“Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. Its career opportunities in tech, health and tourism, affordability, and unique blend of city life and natural beauty make Victoria one of the best places to live in Canada for young adults.”
The report also praises Victoria’s nature.
Best places in Canada: Vancouver
Sergio Rios/Unsplash
Turning our attention to Vancouver, the report says the average salary here is $69,512, with an average home price of $1,239,418. The report says that Vancouver’s biggest industries include technology and innovation, tourism, natural resources, entertainment, and construction.
Vancouver likely wasn’t among the top five due to its high cost of living and unaffordable housing.
“Vancouver is the largest city in British Columbia, but it is also very expensive,” the report says.
Is it really that expensive here? Some reports suggest that it may be the case.
The report points out that Vancouver ranks among the top 10 cities in EIU’s Global Livability Index, which we reported on earlier this year.
The city’s transit system also got a shout-out.
“Living in the city is easy with its excellent transportation system, including access to buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus.”
Other Canadian cities that ranked among the top fifteen include Quebec City, Fredericton, Charlottetown, Saskatoon, Toronto, Waterloo, Winnipeg, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ottawa.
As a Vancouver or Victoria resident, how do you feel about your respective cities being named the best places to live in Canada? Let us know in the comments.