#1Shannon
Quebec · 7,088 peopleScore 82.9·#1 of 499 in Quebec
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
Shannon, #1 on this list · Photo: Roncanada (CC BY 4.0)Canada · 2026
Best places to live in Canada
Shannon, Quebec, ranks first of 2,556 towns of 2,500 or more in Canada. The top 5% of Canadian towns grade A+, and 94 of the 100 here do; scores run from 82.9 down to 72.4. Quebec has the most of them (57), and 7 provinces and territories have at least one.
The overall score, sorted across Canada; the letter and the province rank sit beside it. How grades work
#1A+
#2Lac-Beauport
Quebec · 8,524 peopleScore 82.0·#2 of 499 in Quebec
Strongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: walkability C
#3Boischatel
Quebec · 9,250 peopleScore 81.2·#3 of 499 in Quebec
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
The top 100
Each province rank links to that province’s full list. The score (0–100) blends the seven graded subjects and sets the order; the letter places that score among Canadian towns of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbours on the list often share a letter.
100 towns on this page. Every ranked town is on its province’s list.
#TownScoreGrade · province rankWhat drives it
1ShannonQuebec · 7,088 people82.9top 0.1%A+#1 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
2Lac-BeauportQuebec · 8,524 people82.0top 0.1%A+#2 of 499Strongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: walkability C
3BoischatelQuebec · 9,250 people81.2top 0.2%A+#3 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
4Saint-ElzéarQuebec · 2,842 people81.1top 0.3%A+#4 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk C−
5LorneManitoba · 3,022 people80.5top 0.3%A+#1 of 181Strongest: cost of living A+, safety A+·lowest: health B−
6Saint-Alexandre-de-KamouraskaQuebec · 2,509 people80.3top 0.4%A+#5 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk D
7Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-CartierQuebec · 9,830 people79.5top 0.5%A+#6 of 499Strongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C
8StittsvilleOntario · 19,753 people79.5top 0.6%A+#1 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
9Saint-BernardQuebec · 2,680 people79.1top 0.6%A+#7 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
10Sainte-MarieQuebec · 13,873 people78.8top 0.7%A+#8 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
11Saint-BrunoQuebec · 2,935 people78.8top 0.8%A+#9 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: hazard risk C+
12CarpOntario · 5,621 people78.6top 0.9%A+#2 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
13Cap-RougeQuebec · 17,139 people78.5top 0.9%A+#10 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
14Sainte-JulieQuebec · 30,981 people78.3top 0.9%A+#11 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
15Brookside - Briarbrook - Morgans GrantOntario · 15,509 people78.3top 0.9%A+#3 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
16Bridlewood - Emerald MeadowsOntario · 25,824 people77.9top 0.9%A+#4 of 858Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C
17Sainte-Brigitte-de-LavalQuebec · 9,084 people77.9top 0.9%A+#12 of 499Strongest: safety A+, health A+·lowest: walkability D
18Old Ottawa SouthOntario · 6,704 people77.7top 1.0%A+#5 of 858Strongest: walkability A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
19Saint-BonifaceQuebec · 5,405 people77.6top 1.0%A+#13 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, health A−·lowest: walkability C
20Stoneham-et-TewkesburyQuebec · 10,147 people77.5top 1.1%A+#14 of 499Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
21Saint-Charles-de-BellechasseQuebec · 2,739 people77.5top 1.2%A+#15 of 499Strongest: safety A, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D
22Cardinal CreekOntario · 11,676 people77.3top 1.3%A+#6 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk C+
23Riverside South - LeitrimOntario · 19,802 people77.1top 1.3%A+#7 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
24Saint-MauriceQuebec · 3,804 people77.1top 1.3%A+#16 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, safety A·lowest: walkability C−
25Saint-Basile-le-GrandQuebec · 17,146 people77.0top 1.4%A+#17 of 499Strongest: walkability A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
26Saint-AnselmeQuebec · 4,534 people76.9top 1.5%A+#18 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
27Island Park-Wellington VillageOntario · 5,486 people76.9top 1.5%A+#8 of 858Strongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C+
28NeepawaManitoba · 6,328 people76.9top 1.5%A+#2 of 181Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: health B−
29Saint-Éphrem-de-BeauceQuebec · 2,575 people76.6top 1.6%A+#19 of 499Strongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
30Rideaucrest - Davidson HeightsOntario · 13,998 people76.6top 1.7%A+#9 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk C+
31RosetownSaskatchewan · 2,600 people76.5top 1.7%A+#1 of 102Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk B
32Saint-ÉmileQuebec · 16,893 people76.4top 1.8%A+#20 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
33OutlookSaskatchewan · 2,629 people76.2top 1.8%A+#2 of 102Strongest: walkability A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk B
34HatleyQuebec · 2,512 people76.1top 1.9%A+#21 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
35Upper Mount RoyalAlberta · 2,758 people76.1top 2.0%A+#1 of 473Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety B−
36Katimavik-HazeldeanOntario · 11,437 people76.0top 2.0%A+#10 of 858Strongest: schools A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C−
37VarennesQuebec · 21,490 people76.0top 2.0%A+#22 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
38Chapel Hill NorthOntario · 11,715 people76.0top 2.0%A+#11 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living C
39CorkeryOntario · 3,822 people75.9top 2.0%A+#12 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability D
40Stittsville NorthOntario · 13,331 people75.8top 2.0%A+#13 of 858Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C
41Saint-Joseph-de-BeauceQuebec · 5,339 people75.8top 2.0%A+#23 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
42FallingbrookOntario · 17,836 people75.8top 2.1%A+#14 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C
43WarmanSaskatchewan · 14,245 people75.8top 2.1%A+#3 of 102Strongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: walkability B−
44Labrador CityNewfoundland and Labrador · 7,965 people75.7top 2.2%A+#1 of 32Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
45Oak BayBritish Columbia · 18,626 people75.6top 2.3%A+#1 of 250Strongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: cost of living D−
46Chapel Hill SouthOntario · 14,278 people75.6top 2.4%A+#15 of 858Strongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C+
47Old Barrhaven WestOntario · 22,012 people75.3top 2.4%A+#16 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C
48ManotickOntario · 8,770 people75.2top 2.4%A+#17 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
49Lawrence Park NorthOntario · 14,735 people75.1top 2.4%A+#18 of 858Strongest: walkability A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C+
50Saint-HonoréQuebec · 6,984 people75.1top 2.4%A+#24 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: walkability C
51Orleans Village - ChateauneufOntario · 12,399 people75.0top 2.5%A+#19 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C
52Garrison WoodsAlberta · 3,138 people74.7top 2.5%A+#2 of 473Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: safety B−
53Crystal Bay - Lakeview ParkOntario · 6,059 people74.7top 2.5%A+#20 of 858Strongest: safety A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C
54BeaverbrookOntario · 6,762 people74.7top 2.5%A+#21 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C−
55Cap-SantéQuebec · 3,885 people74.5top 2.5%A+#25 of 499Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: walkability D
56Saint-MichelQuebec · 17,303 people74.5top 2.6%A+#26 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
57BeaucevilleQuebec · 6,228 people74.5top 2.6%A+#27 of 499Strongest: health A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
58Saint-Alphonse-de-GranbyQuebec · 3,545 people74.5top 2.6%A+#28 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: walkability C−
59DunrobinOntario · 5,724 people74.5top 2.7%A+#22 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: walkability D
60CandiacQuebec · 24,920 people74.4top 2.7%A+#29 of 499Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
61BurlingtonOntario · 197,737 people74.4top 2.8%A+#23 of 858Strongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: cost of living C−
62PlessisvilleQuebec · 2,718 people74.3top 2.9%A+#30 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability C+
63Saint-Anaclet-de-LessardQuebec · 3,018 people74.3top 3.0%A+#31 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: walkability D
64BlainvilleQuebec · 61,739 people74.1top 3.1%A+#32 of 499Strongest: health A+, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
65Saint-LiboireQuebec · 3,123 people74.0top 3.2%A+#33 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, health A−·lowest: hazard risk C
66Saint-Augustin-de-DesmauresQuebec · 20,864 people74.0top 3.2%A+#34 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C
67Saint-Christophe-d'ArthabaskaQuebec · 3,307 people73.9top 3.3%A+#35 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability D
68OkotoksAlberta · 33,482 people73.8top 3.4%A+#3 of 473Strongest: health A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
69Saint-PascalQuebec · 3,516 people73.8top 3.5%A+#36 of 499Strongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D
70Sainte-Thérèse-de-LisieuxQuebec · 17,558 people73.8top 3.6%A+#37 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk C−
71AltadoreAlberta · 7,675 people73.7top 3.6%A+#4 of 473Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living C+
72Saint-Étienne-des-GrèsQuebec · 4,675 people73.7top 3.6%A+#38 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, health A−·lowest: walkability C
73Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-LacQuebec · 21,949 people73.6top 3.7%A+#39 of 499Strongest: health A+, safety A+·lowest: hazard risk D
74Middlesex CentreOntario · 21,689 people73.6top 3.8%A+#24 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A·lowest: walkability C
75Stittsville EastOntario · 10,482 people73.5top 3.8%A+#25 of 858Strongest: safety A+, schools A+·lowest: cost of living C
76SilleryQuebec · 13,950 people73.5top 3.8%A+#40 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
77Saint-AntoninQuebec · 4,633 people73.5top 3.8%A+#41 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk D
78ScottQuebec · 2,938 people73.3top 3.9%A+#42 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk D
79Old Barrhaven EastOntario · 23,585 people73.3top 4.0%A+#26 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living C−
80Saint-ProsperQuebec · 4,042 people73.3top 4.0%A+#43 of 499Strongest: safety A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk C−
81Elbow ParkAlberta · 4,120 people73.3top 4.1%A+#5 of 473Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety B−
82Kanata LakesOntario · 19,861 people73.2top 4.1%A+#27 of 858Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C
83PrincevilleQuebec · 6,400 people73.1top 4.1%A+#44 of 499Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety B
84MartensvilleSaskatchewan · 11,808 people73.0top 4.2%A+#4 of 102Strongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C+
85MercierQuebec · 16,036 people72.9top 4.3%A+#45 of 499Strongest: health A, safety A·lowest: hazard risk C−
86ChamblyQuebec · 31,870 people72.9top 4.4%A+#46 of 499Strongest: safety A, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk C−
86HébertvilleQuebec · 2,588 people72.9top 4.4%A+#46 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, health A·lowest: walkability C+
88Saint-ConstantQuebec · 32,124 people72.9top 4.5%A+#48 of 499Strongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk C−
89ComptonQuebec · 3,351 people72.8top 4.6%A+#49 of 499Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living B−
90Pont-RougeQuebec · 11,339 people72.8top 4.7%A+#50 of 499Strongest: health A, safety A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
91Saint-MartinQuebec · 2,687 people72.8top 4.8%A+#51 of 499Strongest: cost of living A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C
92Sainte-ClaireQuebec · 3,724 people72.6top 4.9%A+#52 of 499Strongest: safety A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C−
93AlmaQuebec · 30,659 people72.6top 4.9%A+#53 of 499Strongest: health A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C+
94BécancourQuebec · 14,943 people72.5top 5.0%A+#54 of 499Strongest: health A−, safety A−·lowest: walkability B−
95Saint-RaymondQuebec · 11,951 people72.5top 5.1%A#55 of 499Strongest: health A+, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C
96Cougar RidgeAlberta · 7,101 people72.5top 5.2%A#6 of 473Strongest: health A, schools A·lowest: safety B−
97Val-BélairQuebec · 30,003 people72.5top 5.2%A#56 of 499Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: hazard risk C−
98North VancouverBritish Columbia · 97,845 people72.4top 5.2%A#2 of 250Strongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
99NormandinQuebec · 3,065 people72.4top 5.3%A#57 of 499Strongest: cost of living A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety C+
100Queenswood HeightsOntario · 8,998 people72.4top 5.4%A#28 of 858Strongest: safety A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C−
Where they are
The top 100 by province
The grade curve is the same everywhere, so provinces and territories with many towns of 2,500 or more fill more of the list.
Big towns and cities
Places of 50,000+: the top 10
The same grade, among the 98 ranked towns and city neighbourhoods of 50,000+, so a town of 3,000 isn’t weighed against a city.
- 1A+Burlington, Ontario197,737
- 2A+Blainville, Quebec61,739
- 3ANorth Vancouver, British Columbia97,845
- 4ALévis, Quebec160,882
- 5AOakville, Ontario243,107
- 6AGeorgetown, Ontario68,265
- 7ASt. Albert, Alberta74,621
- 8ASaguenay, Quebec151,972
- 9ARimouski, Quebec51,756
- 10AMilton, Ontario157,345
Method
How this list is made
The overall grade blends seven graded subjects (safety, cost of living, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk), each comparing a town with every other town in Canada of 1,000 or more; the towns of 2,500 or more are ranked on that blend, shown as the score (0–100), so the order has no ties. How grades work
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Why isn’t my town on the list?
The list ranks places of 2,500 people or more with an overall grade. That needs grades for cost of living, safety and health everywhere, plus Schools in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, and jobs and income and walkability elsewhere. A smaller place, or one missing one of those, shows the grades it has on its own page. First Nations reserves are in no list.
Are university towns ranked?
No: where most residents are students, a town keeps its grades on its own page but sits out the rankings, since a student population changes what the figures mean.
Province by province
Best places to live, province by province
Photos: Shannon, Roncanada (CC BY 4.0) · Lac-Beauport, Gabriel Picard (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Boischatel, Gilbertus (CC BY 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).