#1Fall River
9,214 peopleScore 57.7·#768 of 2,556 Canadian towns
Strongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: walkability C
Fall River, #1 on this list · Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0)Nova Scotia · 2026
Best places to live in Nova Scotia
Second place on the list goes to Cole Harbour, with B. Not one town on the list earns an A grade. The list’s highest score is 57.7, its lowest 23.1. Fall River ranks first of 88 ranked towns of 2,500 or more in Nova Scotia, #768 of 2,556 towns nationally.
The overall score, sorted within the province; the letter compares each town with every town in Canada of 2,500+, and its national rank sits beside it. How grades work
#1B+
#2Cole Harbour
21,627 peopleScore 55.2·#954 of 2,556 Canadian towns
Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living C+
#3Timberlea
11,014 peopleScore 55.0·#969 of 2,556 Canadian towns
Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B·lowest: safety C+
All 88 towns, ranked
By overall score against Canadian towns; ranks are within the province, and each national rank links to the national list.
88 towns
#TownScoreGrade · national rankWhat drives it
1Fall River9,214 people57.7top 32.9%B+#768 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: walkability C
2Cole Harbour21,627 people55.2top 38.4%B#954 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living C+
3Timberlea11,014 people55.0top 38.9%B#969 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B·lowest: safety C+
4Hammonds Plains13,844 people54.7top 39.9%B#1,000 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B+, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability C−
5Woodlawn20,925 people51.9top 46.0%B−#1,210 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living C
6Upper Tantallon5,248 people50.5top 49.6%B−#1,332 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, health B−·lowest: walkability C−
7Portland Estates10,164 people50.1bottom 49.3%B−#1,367 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D
8Middle Sackville14,898 people50.0bottom 49.2%B−#1,370 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C
9Bedford28,848 people49.9bottom 48.6%B−#1,389 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
10Lower Sackville20,171 people49.6bottom 47.9%B−#1,411 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living C−
11Westphal4,201 people49.6bottom 47.9%B−#1,412 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
12Argyle8,216 people49.0bottom 46.4%B−#1,468 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
13Eastern Passage10,745 people48.9bottom 46.1%B−#1,478 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
14Beaver Bank9,157 people48.4bottom 45.0%B−#1,504 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
15Yarmouth10,637 people48.1bottom 43.9%C+#1,525 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
16Antigonish County, Subdivision B6,486 people47.3bottom 41.9%C+#1,585 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
17Antigonish County, Subdivision A9,682 people47.2bottom 41.6%C+#1,593 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: health C−
18Westmount23,207 people47.0bottom 40.9%C+#1,610 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
19Guysborough4,721 people47.0bottom 40.9%C+#1,612 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
20Cape Breton106,752 people46.9bottom 40.4%C+#1,623 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income C−
21Port Hawkesbury3,442 people46.3bottom 38.8%C+#1,667 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: health C−
22Lawrencetown3,509 people46.1bottom 38.2%C+#1,683 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: walkability D
23Hubley6,337 people45.5bottom 36.7%C+#1,725 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, health B−·lowest: walkability D
24Windsor Park13,044 people44.8bottom 34.3%C#1,778 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
25Manor Park14,148 people44.6bottom 33.7%C#1,790 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
26Richmond County, Subdivision C3,444 people44.1bottom 32.0%C#1,838 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
27Clayton Park West34,404 people43.5bottom 31.1%C#1,875 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
28Mount Royale9,340 people43.3bottom 30.3%C#1,892 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
29North End19,733 people43.2bottom 30.3%C#1,898 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
30Inverness5,138 people43.2bottom 30.2%C#1,902 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B, walkability B·lowest: health D
31South End22,012 people42.2bottom 27.9%C#1,953 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
32Austinville28,021 people41.9bottom 26.7%C#1,982 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
33East Lawrencetown4,020 people41.6bottom 25.6%C#2,006 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B, health B−·lowest: walkability D
34Fairview16,296 people41.2bottom 24.6%C−#2,031 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
35Dutch Settlement6,234 people40.7bottom 23.4%C−#2,065 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B, health B−·lowest: walkability C−
36Hatchet Lake9,930 people39.3bottom 20.4%C−#2,163 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B−, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
37Lunenburg2,523 people39.2bottom 20.1%C−#2,175 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
38Victoria County, Subdivision B4,258 people39.0bottom 19.5%C−#2,194 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
39Inverness County, Subdivision A5,389 people38.9bottom 19.0%C−#2,201 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
40Lake Echo5,223 people38.4bottom 18.1%C−#2,232 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
41Harrietsfield6,786 people38.3bottom 17.7%C−#2,240 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
42Kentville7,589 people38.1bottom 17.4%C−#2,251 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: health C−
43Westville3,731 people38.1bottom 17.1%C−#2,256 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B·lowest: health D
44Berwick2,631 people37.2bottom 15.9%C−#2,292 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C−
45Barrington6,720 people37.1bottom 15.6%C−#2,297 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
46Stellarton4,251 people36.4bottom 14.2%D#2,331 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety C−
47Gaetz Brook4,473 people36.3bottom 13.9%D#2,339 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
48Pictou County, Subdivision C8,847 people36.1bottom 13.7%D#2,343 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
49Musquodoboit Harbour2,719 people35.7bottom 13.3%D#2,356 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
50Kingston24,574 people35.6bottom 13.1%D#2,362 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B−·lowest: health D
51Pictou County, Subdivision A6,575 people35.5bottom 12.9%D#2,367 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
52Pictou County, Subdivision B6,482 people35.4bottom 12.8%D#2,370 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D
53Inverness County, Subdivision C3,314 people35.4bottom 12.7%D#2,371 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
54Windsor20,318 people35.3bottom 12.4%D#2,375 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk C+·lowest: jobs & income D
55East Preston2,573 people35.2bottom 12.3%D#2,377 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income C−
56Bridgewater9,989 people35.2bottom 12.0%D#2,381 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C−
57Head of St Margarets Bay2,885 people35.1bottom 12.0%D#2,383 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B−, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
58Sheet Harbour3,334 people35.1bottom 12.0%D#2,385 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
59Colchester County, Subdivision A3,891 people35.0bottom 11.9%D#2,388 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
60Victoria County, Subdivision A2,746 people34.9bottom 11.7%D#2,391 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D
61Kings County, Subdivision C8,994 people34.7bottom 11.2%D#2,399 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B·lowest: health C−
62Enfield26,960 people34.4bottom 10.8%D#2,405 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety B, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D−
63Springhill7,015 people33.9bottom 10.1%D#2,421 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
64Clare8,020 people33.9bottom 9.9%D#2,424 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
65Kings County, Subdivision B12,661 people33.9bottom 9.8%D#2,425 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety C+·lowest: health C−
66Meaghers Grant3,430 people33.2bottom 9.4%D#2,435 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
67Colchester County, Subdivision B21,578 people33.1bottom 9.2%D#2,438 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B−, safety C+·lowest: health D
68New Glasgow10,378 people32.7bottom 8.7%D#2,451 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
69Richmond County, Subdivision A4,305 people32.6bottom 8.6%D#2,453 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, safety B−·lowest: jobs & income D
70Pictou3,307 people32.4bottom 8.4%D#2,456 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
71Kings County, Subdivision D6,517 people31.9bottom 7.6%D#2,466 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety C+·lowest: health C−
72Colchester County, Subdivision C14,211 people31.9bottom 7.5%D#2,467 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B−, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
73Lunenburg26,862 people31.4bottom 7.3%D#2,469 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety B−·lowest: health D
74Amherst10,072 people31.1bottom 6.7%D#2,477 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, cost of living C+·lowest: safety D
75Antigonish5,175 people30.9bottom 6.2%D#2,482 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
76Truro14,652 people30.3bottom 5.7%D#2,488 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: health C−
77Annapolis County, Subdivision C5,694 people29.8bottom 5.0%D#2,497 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
78Cumberland County, Subdivision C6,040 people29.2bottom 4.4%D−#2,504 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B−, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D
79Cumberland County, Subdivision A3,401 people28.8bottom 4.0%D−#2,509 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
80Cumberland County, Subdivision D4,692 people28.6bottom 3.6%D−#2,514 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B−, walkability B−·lowest: health D
81Yarmouth7,129 people28.6bottom 3.5%D−#2,515 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D
82Chester11,740 people28.5bottom 3.3%D−#2,517 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety B−·lowest: health D−
83Shelburne4,542 people28.5bottom 3.2%D−#2,519 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: walkability D
84Annapolis County, Subdivision B5,086 people28.3bottom 3.0%D−#2,521 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D
85Liverpool10,997 people28.0bottom 2.5%D−#2,527 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability C+·lowest: jobs & income D
86Annapolis County, Subdivision D3,273 people23.8bottom 0.9%D−#2,545 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
87Annapolis County, Subdivision A6,719 people23.8bottom 0.9%D−#2,546 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
88Digby7,528 people23.1bottom 0.5%D−#2,550 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
Quick answers
Questions people ask
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven graded subjects (safety, cost of living, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk) from public data, each comparing a town with every town in Canada of 1,000 or more. The rank is among the towns of 2,500 or more in Nova Scotia, where five or more have an overall grade.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers places of 2,500 or more with an overall grade. Smaller places, and towns missing figures the overall grade needs, show their grades on their own pages; every town is listed on the Nova Scotia page.
Province by province
Best places to live, province by province
Photos: Fall River, WabbitWanderer from London, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Cole Harbour, Coastal Elite from Halifax, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Timberlea, Dennis G. Jarvis (CC BY-SA 2.0), 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).