Calgary tops Canada's best places to live list for 2026
A new global ranking says Calgary's affordable housing, career opportunities, and proximity to the Rockies made it the country's most desirable city.
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Calgary is now ranked the best place to live in Canada, according to a new report from Global Citizen Solutions that surveyed the country's top cities.
The ranking highlighted Calgary's mix of affordable living, quality of life, and career opportunities. Monthly expenses for a single person (excluding rent) sit around $1,508. The average home price is $665,695, while median salaries hover at $63,700 per year.
Other factors boosting Calgary's ranking: excellent healthcare, low crime rates, low taxes, and one of the country's best education systems. The city's proximity to the Rocky Mountains—with hiking, snowboarding, and skiing readily accessible—sealed its top spot. "The city has a warm, friendly atmosphere that makes it easy for expats to feel welcome," the report noted.
Ottawa came in second, followed by Edmonton in third. Business services, international trade, hospitality, construction, natural resources, and manufacturing are the biggest employers driving Calgary's job market.
