#1Antigonish County, Subdivision B
Nova Scotia · 6,486 peopleOverall C+·#1,585 of 2,556
Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
Antigonish County, Subdivision B, #1 on this list · Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (Public domain)Nova Scotia · 2026
Driest towns in Nova Scotia
At the halfway mark stands Middle Sackville, at 1,393 mm. Last comes Victoria County, Subdivision A, at 1,612 mm. Nationally, Antigonish County, Subdivision B ranks #2,135 of 2,589. Not one of Nova Scotia’s places reaches the top 100 for all of Canada. Nowhere in Nova Scotia does better on this list than Antigonish County, Subdivision B, at 1,122 mm. Antigonish County, Subdivision A is second (1,122 mm) and Guysborough third (1,122 mm).
Rain and snow a year (total precipitation), 1991–2020 normals How grades work
#11,122 mm Precipitation a year
#2Antigonish County, Subdivision A
Nova Scotia · 9,682 peopleOverall C+·#1,593 of 2,556
Strongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: health C−
#3Guysborough
Nova Scotia · 4,721 peopleOverall C+·#1,612 of 2,556
Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
All 88, ranked in Nova Scotia
Best first in Nova Scotia; beside each place, its rank on the same list for all of Canada.
88 places
#TownPrecipitation a yearCanada rankWhat drives it
1Antigonish County, Subdivision B6,486 people1,122 mm#2,135 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
2Antigonish County, Subdivision A9,682 people1,122 mm#2,136 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: health C−
3Guysborough4,721 people1,122 mm#2,137 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
4Port Hawkesbury3,442 people1,122 mm#2,138 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: health C−
5Richmond County, Subdivision C3,444 people1,122 mm#2,139 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
6Pictou County, Subdivision C8,847 people1,122 mm#2,140 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
7Inverness County, Subdivision C3,314 people1,122 mm#2,141 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
8Richmond County, Subdivision A4,305 people1,122 mm#2,142 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, safety B−·lowest: jobs & income D
9Antigonish5,175 people1,122 mm#2,143 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
10Westville3,731 people1,134 mm#2,153 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B·lowest: health D
11Stellarton4,251 people1,134 mm#2,154 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety C−
12Pictou County, Subdivision A6,575 people1,134 mm#2,155 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
13New Glasgow10,378 people1,134 mm#2,156 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
14Pictou3,307 people1,134 mm#2,157 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
15Cumberland County, Subdivision D4,692 people1,134 mm#2,158 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B−, walkability B−·lowest: health D
16Kingston24,574 people1,137 mm#2,165 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B−·lowest: health D
17Annapolis County, Subdivision C5,694 people1,137 mm#2,166 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
18Annapolis County, Subdivision B5,086 people1,137 mm#2,167 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D
19Annapolis County, Subdivision D3,273 people1,137 mm#2,168 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
20Springhill7,015 people1,161 mm#2,226 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
21Amherst10,072 people1,161 mm#2,227 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, cost of living C+·lowest: safety D
22Cumberland County, Subdivision C6,040 people1,161 mm#2,228 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B−, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D
23Colchester County, Subdivision A3,891 people1,179 mm#2,300 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
24Colchester County, Subdivision B21,578 people1,179 mm#2,301 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk B−, safety C+·lowest: health D
25Truro14,652 people1,179 mm#2,302 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: health C−
26Kentville7,589 people1,216 mm#2,323 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: health C−
27Berwick2,631 people1,216 mm#2,324 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C−
28Windsor20,318 people1,216 mm#2,325 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk C+·lowest: jobs & income D
29Kings County, Subdivision C8,994 people1,216 mm#2,326 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B·lowest: health C−
30Kings County, Subdivision B12,661 people1,216 mm#2,327 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety C+·lowest: health C−
31Kings County, Subdivision D6,517 people1,216 mm#2,328 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety C+·lowest: health C−
32Cumberland County, Subdivision A3,401 people1,247 mm#2,375 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
33Pictou County, Subdivision B6,482 people1,277 mm#2,391 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A+, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D
34Sheet Harbour3,334 people1,277 mm#2,392 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
35Colchester County, Subdivision C14,211 people1,277 mm#2,393 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk B−, cost of living B−·lowest: health D
36Argyle8,216 people1,290 mm#2,396 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
37Yarmouth10,637 people1,290 mm#2,397 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
38Barrington6,720 people1,290 mm#2,398 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
39Clare8,020 people1,290 mm#2,399 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
40Yarmouth7,129 people1,290 mm#2,400 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D
41Shelburne4,542 people1,290 mm#2,401 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: walkability D
42Inverness5,138 people1,303 mm#2,409 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B, walkability B·lowest: health D
43Inverness County, Subdivision A5,389 people1,303 mm#2,410 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
44Fall River9,214 people1,393 mm#2,429 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: walkability C
45Middle Sackville14,898 people1,393 mm#2,430 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C
46Lower Sackville20,171 people1,393 mm#2,431 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living C−
47Beaver Bank9,157 people1,393 mm#2,432 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
48Dutch Settlement6,234 people1,393 mm#2,433 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B, health B−·lowest: walkability C−
50Meaghers Grant3,430 people1,393 mm#2,435 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
51Cole Harbour21,627 people1,414 mm#2,436 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living C+
52Timberlea11,014 people1,414 mm#2,437 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B·lowest: safety C+
53Hammonds Plains13,844 people1,414 mm#2,438 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B+, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability C−
54Woodlawn20,925 people1,414 mm#2,439 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living C
55Upper Tantallon5,248 people1,414 mm#2,440 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A−, health B−·lowest: walkability C−
56Portland Estates10,164 people1,414 mm#2,441 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D
57Bedford28,848 people1,414 mm#2,442 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
58Westphal4,201 people1,414 mm#2,443 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
59Eastern Passage10,745 people1,414 mm#2,444 of 2,589Strongest: walkability B+, health B·lowest: cost of living C+
60Westmount23,207 people1,414 mm#2,445 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
61Lawrencetown3,509 people1,414 mm#2,446 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B+, health B·lowest: walkability D
62Hubley6,337 people1,414 mm#2,447 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income A−, health B−·lowest: walkability D
63Windsor Park13,044 people1,414 mm#2,448 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
64Manor Park14,148 people1,414 mm#2,449 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
65Clayton Park West34,404 people1,414 mm#2,450 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
66Mount Royale9,340 people1,414 mm#2,451 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
67North End19,733 people1,414 mm#2,452 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
68South End22,012 people1,414 mm#2,453 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
69Austinville28,021 people1,414 mm#2,454 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
70East Lawrencetown4,020 people1,414 mm#2,455 of 2,589Strongest: jobs & income B, health B−·lowest: walkability D
71Fairview16,296 people1,414 mm#2,456 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
72Hatchet Lake9,930 people1,414 mm#2,457 of 2,589Strongest: health B−, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
73Lake Echo5,223 people1,414 mm#2,458 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
74Harrietsfield6,786 people1,414 mm#2,459 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
75Gaetz Brook4,473 people1,414 mm#2,460 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
76Musquodoboit Harbour2,719 people1,414 mm#2,461 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
77East Preston2,573 people1,414 mm#2,462 of 2,589Strongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income C−
78Head of St Margarets Bay2,885 people1,414 mm#2,463 of 2,589Strongest: health B−, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C−
79Annapolis County, Subdivision A6,719 people1,453 mm#2,464 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
80Digby7,528 people1,453 mm#2,465 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
81Cape Breton106,752 people1,481 mm#2,466 of 2,589Strongest: safety A−, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income C−
82Victoria County, Subdivision B4,258 people1,481 mm#2,467 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
83Lunenburg2,523 people1,561 mm#2,529 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
84Bridgewater9,989 people1,561 mm#2,530 of 2,589Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C−
85Lunenburg26,862 people1,561 mm#2,531 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety B−·lowest: health D
87Liverpool10,997 people1,561 mm#2,533 of 2,589Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability C+·lowest: jobs & income D
88Victoria County, Subdivision A2,746 people1,612 mm#2,534 of 2,589Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D
Rankings
More lists for Nova Scotia
All listsBest places to liveBest small townsMost affordableSafestHealthiestJobs & incomeMost walkableLowest hazard riskCivic lifeHighest incomesFastest-growingMost historicMost bilingualYoungestOldestMildest wintersColdest wintersWarmest summersCoolest summersFewest frostsLeast snowSnowiestDriestWettest
Province by province
Driest elsewhere
Photos: Antigonish County, Subdivision B, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson S… (Public domain) · Antigonish County, Subdivision A, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson S… (Public domain) · Guysborough, 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).