#1Bowen Island
British Columbia · 4,501 peopleOverall A·#103 of 2,556
Strongest: schools A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D−
Bowen Island, #1 on this list · Photo: Hameltion (CC BY-SA 4.0)British Columbia · 2026
Best small towns in British Columbia
7 of the 137 on this list grade in the A range. At the other end is Electoral Area F, Columbia-Shuswap, with D−. Across Canada, the same list puts Bowen Island #56 of 1,524. Canada’s top 100 on this list includes only one place in British Columbia. Bowen Island tops the list in British Columbia, at A. Second place goes to Southern Gulf Islands, at A−, and third to Rossland, at A−.
Overall grade, the ranked towns under 10,000 How grades work
#1AOverall
#2Southern Gulf Islands
British Columbia · 6,691 peopleOverall A−·#360 of 2,556
Strongest: safety A, health A·lowest: cost of living D
#3Rossland
British Columbia · 4,355 peopleOverall A−·#370 of 2,556
Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
All 137, ranked in British Columbia
Best first in British Columbia; beside each place, its rank on the same list for all of Canada.
137 places
#TownOverallCanada rankWhat drives it
2Southern Gulf Islands6,691 peopleA−#208 of 1,524Strongest: safety A, health A·lowest: cost of living D
3Rossland4,355 peopleA−#214 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C−
7Electoral Area F, Central Kootenay4,209 peopleA−#295 of 1,524Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living D
10Electoral Area E, Central Kootenay4,309 peopleB+#406 of 1,524Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living D
11Sparwood4,486 peopleB+#407 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C
12Electoral Area C, North Okanagan5,029 peopleB#512 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C−
13Roberts Creek3,779 peopleB#525 of 1,524Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
14Electoral Area D (Rural Grand Forks), Kootenay Boundary3,570 peopleB#535 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
16Fort Nelson4,144 peopleB#546 of 1,524Strongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
19Revelstoke9,464 peopleB#564 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
20Pemberton3,620 peopleB#566 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D−
21Invermere4,305 peopleB#567 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
23Electoral Area B (Lazo North), Comox Valley7,830 peopleB#583 of 1,524Strongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D
25Cobble Hill5,074 peopleB#601 of 1,524Strongest: schools A+, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D−
27Electoral Area B, Central Kootenay5,243 peopleB#607 of 1,524Strongest: safety A, schools B+·lowest: cost of living C−
29Qualicum Beach9,640 peopleB#615 of 1,524Strongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
30Electoral Area G, Nanaimo8,412 peopleB#618 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
31Shaughnessy8,034 peopleB#619 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
34Garden Village6,492 peopleB#650 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
35South Cambie9,846 peopleB#654 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
36Clayton Heights8,961 peopleB−#659 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
37Buckingham Heights8,794 peopleB−#664 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
39Lantzville4,276 peopleB−#677 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D−
40Electoral Area A, Cowichan Valley5,156 peopleB−#682 of 1,524Strongest: schools A, safety B+·lowest: cost of living D
41Electoral Area H, Central Kootenay5,390 peopleB−#687 of 1,524Strongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income D−
42Electoral Area A, Bulkley-Nechako5,829 peopleB−#708 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: health D
44Cumberland4,974 peopleB−#735 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
45Electoral Area F, East Kootenay3,893 peopleB−#756 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability B·lowest: hazard risk C−
47Crescent Heights9,033 peopleB−#773 of 1,524Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
48Electoral Area A, Columbia-Shuswap3,672 peopleB−#788 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
49Electoral Area B, North Okanagan3,415 peopleB−#792 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
50Electoral Area E, Sunshine Coast4,279 peopleB−#793 of 1,524Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
51Electoral Area A, Comox Valley8,415 peopleB−#797 of 1,524Strongest: safety B+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
54Electoral Area E, Alberni-Clayoquot3,069 peopleB−#830 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B+, safety B+·lowest: cost of living C−
55Electoral Area C, East Kootenay7,006 peopleC+#876 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, health B·lowest: walkability D
56Spallumcheen5,843 peopleC+#877 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B+, safety B+·lowest: cost of living D
57Electoral Area I, Central Kootenay2,758 peopleC+#887 of 1,524Strongest: safety A−, health B·lowest: walkability D
58Welcome Beach3,130 peopleC+#893 of 1,524Strongest: health A+, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
59Electoral Area F, Nanaimo8,810 peopleC+#894 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
60Armstrong5,643 peopleC+#908 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D
62Electoral Area J, Central Kootenay3,915 peopleC+#939 of 1,524Strongest: safety A−, health B·lowest: cost of living C−
63Vanderhoof4,545 peopleC+#943 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
64Electoral Area F, Sunshine Coast2,691 peopleC+#958 of 1,524Strongest: health A+, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D−
65Electoral Area D, North Okanagan3,184 peopleC+#967 of 1,524Strongest: schools B+, safety B+·lowest: walkability C−
67Electoral Area E, Peace River2,737 peopleC+#990 of 1,524Strongest: cost of living A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: safety D
68Juan de Fuca (Part 1)5,439 peopleC+#991 of 1,524Strongest: health A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
69Burnaby Mountain9,248 peopleC+#1,008 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
70Electoral Area C, Fraser-Fort George3,811 peopleC+#1,012 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B+, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability D−
72Electoral Area C (Part 1), Kitimat-Stikine3,189 peopleC#1,017 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D−
73Okanagan Falls4,002 peopleC#1,037 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D−
74Electoral Area E, Kitimat-Stikine4,153 peopleC#1,039 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: health D
76Electoral Area H, Nanaimo4,815 peopleC#1,056 of 1,524Strongest: schools A, safety B+·lowest: jobs & income D
77Morgan Creek8,084 peopleC#1,059 of 1,524Strongest: health A, hazard risk B·lowest: cost of living D
78Peachland6,302 peopleC#1,076 of 1,524Strongest: safety A−, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
79Electoral Area C (Puntledge - Black Creek), Comox Valley9,803 peopleC#1,084 of 1,524Strongest: safety B+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
80Electoral Area C, Peace River6,344 peopleC#1,105 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
83Colebrook3,617 peopleC#1,120 of 1,524Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
84Port Mann5,988 peopleC#1,124 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
85Rosewood Park9,004 peopleC#1,134 of 1,524Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
87Electoral Area B, Peace River5,814 peopleC#1,153 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk B+, schools B·lowest: health D
89Electoral Area D, Peace River5,100 peopleC#1,163 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
90Highlands2,753 peopleC−#1,176 of 1,524Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
92Bridgeview3,511 peopleC−#1,188 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D−
93Anderson Walk4,210 peopleC−#1,192 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
95Tumbler Ridge2,663 peopleC−#1,212 of 1,524Strongest: cost of living A, walkability A·lowest: schools D−
97Electoral Area D, Cariboo3,057 peopleC−#1,215 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
99Sunrise Estates4,292 peopleC−#1,243 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
100Electoral Area E, Cariboo4,242 peopleC−#1,253 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
101Electoral Area A, Sunshine Coast3,256 peopleC−#1,257 of 1,524Strongest: health A, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
103Electoral Area C, Nanaimo3,733 peopleC−#1,293 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D
104Electoral Area C, Okanagan-Similkameen4,103 peopleC−#1,294 of 1,524Strongest: schools A−, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
105Central Okanagan4,784 peopleC−#1,299 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D−
106Electoral Area D, Fraser-Fort George4,802 peopleC−#1,317 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B·lowest: schools D
107Tofino2,772 peopleC−#1,329 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
108Electoral Area A, Fraser-Fort George3,764 peopleC−#1,336 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk B, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
109Electoral Area D (Oyster Bay - Buttle Lake), Strathcona4,546 peopleD#1,357 of 1,524Strongest: health B+, schools B+·lowest: safety D
110Ladysmith9,926 peopleD#1,363 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A−, health B·lowest: cost of living D
111Cowichan Bay3,713 peopleD#1,376 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D
112Electoral Area A, Cariboo6,172 peopleD#1,381 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: schools D
113Electoral Area C, Strathcona2,981 peopleD#1,407 of 1,524Strongest: health B+, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D
114Princeton3,050 peopleD#1,410 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
116Electoral Area E, Cowichan Valley4,482 peopleD#1,428 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B+, health B−·lowest: cost of living D
117Electoral Area H, Cowichan Valley2,761 peopleD#1,445 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B, health B−·lowest: schools D
118Electoral Area F, North Okanagan4,969 peopleD#1,448 of 1,524Strongest: health B−, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D
120Electoral Area F, Cariboo5,016 peopleD#1,458 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: walkability D
121Electoral Area G, Cowichan Valley2,597 peopleD#1,462 of 1,524Strongest: walkability B−, health B−·lowest: cost of living D−
122Central Okanagan West3,298 peopleD#1,464 of 1,524Strongest: schools A, health B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
123Electoral Area D, Columbia-Shuswap4,829 peopleD#1,469 of 1,524Strongest: safety A−, walkability C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
124Electoral Area E (West Boundary), Kootenay Boundary3,361 peopleD#1,470 of 1,524Strongest: health B, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D
125Electoral Area B, Nanaimo4,702 peopleD−#1,481 of 1,524Strongest: walkability B, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D−
126Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-Nicola3,543 peopleD−#1,492 of 1,524Strongest: walkability C+, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
127Electoral Area A, Nanaimo7,825 peopleD−#1,493 of 1,524Strongest: jobs & income B, hazard risk B−·lowest: cost of living D−
128Electoral Area B, Cariboo4,169 peopleD−#1,500 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk B+, safety B−·lowest: schools D
129Electoral Area F, Bulkley-Nechako3,643 peopleD−#1,503 of 1,524Strongest: hazard risk B, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
130Lake Cowichan3,757 peopleD−#1,504 of 1,524Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
132Electoral Area P (Rivers and the Peaks), Thompson-Nicola4,540 peopleD−#1,508 of 1,524Strongest: schools B−, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
137Electoral Area F, Columbia-Shuswap3,475 peopleD−#1,519 of 1,524Strongest: walkability C+, safety C·lowest: hazard risk D−
Rankings
More lists for British Columbia
All listsBest places to liveBest big townsBest small townsMost affordableSafestBest schoolsHealthiestJobs & incomeMost walkableLowest hazard riskCivic lifeHighest incomesFastest-growingMost historicMost bilingualYoungestOldestMildest wintersColdest wintersWarmest summersCoolest summersFewest frostsLeast snowSnowiestDriestWettest
Province by province
Best small towns elsewhere
Photos: Bowen Island, Hameltion (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Southern Gulf Islands, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson S… (Public domain) · Rossland, Michael Rogers. Original uploader was Mjrogers50 at en.wiki… (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking Canadian towns against each other only, run #73 of 10 November 2026. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).