A new study has found that Victoria, known for its laid-back, seaside lifestyle, might not be as relaxed as many think.

In fact, the city has just been named the most anxious city in Canada.

The research, conducted by Compare the Market, looked at online search trends for anxiety-related terms in major Canadian cities.

It found that people in Victoria are searching for phrases like “work burnout” and “work stress” more than anyone else in the country.

Victoria, with a population of about 363,000, recorded roughly 1,043 anxiety-related searches for every 100,000 people, earning a work anxiety score of 91.37 out of 100.

This was the highest score in Canada, putting Victoria ahead of London, Ontario (86.62), and Ottawa (83.67), which ranked second and third, respectively.

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The findings may surprise some people, given Victoria’s image as a peaceful city surrounded by nature. However, many locals seem to be experiencing significant pressure beneath the beautiful scenery.

Steven Spicer, Executive General Manager of Health, Life and Energy at Compare the Market, stated that the results highlight how common work-related stress has become.

“These findings serve as a reminder that mental health is a critical issue, and cities across the globe must invest in more robust mental health resources to support their residents,” Spicer said.

The study examined Google search data from July 2024 to June 2025 for terms related to general and work-related anxiety, including “how to deal with anxiety,” “work burnout,” and “stress symptoms.”

In contrast, Québec City was found to be the least anxious city in the country, with a Work Anxiety Score of just 21.63. This suggests a much more relaxed approach to urban life.

With World Mental Health Day coming up this Friday, October 10th, the study highlights that even in one of Canada’s most beautiful places, many people quietly deal with stress.