Edmonton ranks third-best place to live in Canada in 2026
Global Citizen Solutions names Edmonton the podium finalist, citing 325 days of sunshine, affordable housing at $391,612 average, and Festival City status.
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Edmonton has been named the third-best place to live in Canada in 2026, according to a report ranking the country's top cities by Global Citizen Solutions.
The international consultancy firm highlighted 325 annual days of sunshine, affordable housing, and the city's reputation as "Festival City" as key factors in Edmonton's ranking. The average home price in Edmonton is $391,612, with an annual average wage between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. Major employers include agriculture, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, real estate and retail.
West Edmonton Mall was highlighted as a major draw for shopping, dining and entertainment, with events like the Heritage Festival standing out as reasons for the high ranking. Global Citizen Solutions noted that "the city has a strong economy that balances amenities such as modern healthcare facilities, affordable property prices, and plenty of outdoor activities."
Calgary topped the overall list, followed by Ottawa. Mid-sized cities like Edmonton, Fredericton, and Winnipeg offer far more affordable home ownership than the high prices in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto. Other top-15 cities included Montreal, Vancouver, Hamilton and Charlottetown.
