#1Rankin Inlet
Nunavut · 3,336 peopleOverall –
Strongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: safety D−
Rankin Inlet, #1 on this list · Photo: OhanaUnited Talk page (CC BY-SA 4.0)Canada · 2026
Towns with the coldest winters in Canada
In the middle of the list stands Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, at -9°C (16°F). Last on the list is Tofino, at 6°C (43°F). The first ten places are spread over 5 provinces and territories. Leading the list is Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, at -30°C (-22°F). The next two places belong to Arviat, -28°C (-19°F), and Iqaluit, -26°C (-15°F).
Average January temperature, 1991–2020 normals at the nearest station How grades work
#1-30°C (-22°F) January average
#2Arviat
Nunavut · 3,330 peopleOverall –
Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A+·lowest: health D−
#3Iqaluit
Nunavut · 8,612 peopleOverall –
Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
The top 100 of 2,589
Ranked by its measure (January average), best first; each town’s overall grade and national rank sit beside it.
100 towns
#TownJanuary averageGrade · national rankWhat drives it
1Rankin InletNunavut · 3,336 people-30°C (-22°F)Strongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: safety D−
2ArviatNunavut · 3,330 people-28°C (-19°F)Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A+·lowest: health D−
3IqaluitNunavut · 8,612 people-26°C (-15°F)Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
4YellowknifeNorthwest Territories · 22,858 people-26°C (-14°F)B−#1,243 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: safety D−
5InuvikNorthwest Territories · 3,337 people-25°C (-13°F)C+#1,741 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
6ThompsonManitoba · 12,917 people-23°C (-10°F)C+#1,590 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D−
7KuujjuaqQuebec · 2,766 people-23°C (-10°F)Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
8Labrador CityNewfoundland and Labrador · 7,965 people-22°C (-7°F)A+#44 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
9ChisasibiQuebec · 5,382 people-22°C (-7°F)Strongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety C−
10Hay RiverNorthwest Territories · 3,317 people-21°C (-7°F)B−#1,346 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
11Fort NelsonBritish Columbia · 4,144 people-20°C (-5°F)B#973 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
12High LevelAlberta · 4,390 people-20°C (-4°F)C#1,848 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk D−
13La CrèteAlberta · 14,488 people-20°C (-4°F)D−#2,535 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income B·lowest: schools D
14Flin Flon (Part)Manitoba · 4,732 people-20°C (-3°F)B−#1,483 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A·lowest: hazard risk D−
15The PasManitoba · 5,634 people-19°C (-2°F)C+#1,522 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D−
16WaskaganishQuebec · 2,726 people-19°C (-2°F)Strongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety C−
17ChibougamauQuebec · 7,273 people-19°C (-1°F)A#272 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A+·lowest: safety D
18MarathonOntario · 3,223 people-19°C (-1°F)B#1,003 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A·lowest: schools C−
19GeraldtonOntario · 4,398 people-19°C (-1°F)C−#2,306 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: schools D−
20Bifrost-RivertonManitoba · 3,518 people-19°C (-1°F)D#2,333 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B, walkability B·lowest: safety D−
21MistissiniQuebec · 4,067 people-19°C (-1°F)Strongest: jobs & income A−, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
22La RongeSaskatchewan · 2,668 people-18°C (-1°F)Strongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
23Red LakeOntario · 4,285 people-18°C (-1°F)B+#754 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: safety C−
24NipawinSaskatchewan · 5,033 people-18°C (-0°F)C#2,018 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
25GimliManitoba · 6,914 people-18°C (1°F)D#2,485 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability B, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D
26HearstOntario · 5,032 people-17°C (1°F)B+#632 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: health C
27KapuskasingOntario · 8,825 people-17°C (1°F)B−#1,282 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: safety C−
28Cochrane, Unorganized, North PartOntario · 2,770 people-17°C (1°F)Strongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk A·lowest: health C−
29NormandinQuebec · 3,065 people-17°C (1°F)A#99 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety C+
30Dolbeau-MistassiniQuebec · 13,581 people-17°C (1°F)A#192 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health A+, cost of living A·lowest: safety C+
31RussellManitoba · 2,715 people-17°C (1°F)B+#646 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
32DrydenOntario · 7,808 people-17°C (1°F)B#1,160 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
33RoblinManitoba · 3,184 people-17°C (1°F)C+#1,621 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income B+, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
34Sioux LookoutOntario · 6,122 people-17°C (1°F)C#2,013 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
35Fort McMurrayAlberta · 81,611 people-17°C (1°F)C−#2,111 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living A, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
36Buckland No. 491Saskatchewan · 3,550 people-17°C (1°F)D#2,351 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D−
37Prince AlbertSaskatchewan · 40,728 people-17°C (1°F)D#2,463 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B·lowest: safety D−
38Prince Albert No. 461Saskatchewan · 3,589 people-17°C (1°F)D#2,465 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D−
39La LocheSaskatchewan · 3,124 people-17°C (1°F)Strongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
40Happy Valley-Goose BayNewfoundland and Labrador · 8,197 people-17°C (1°F)B#1,062 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D−
41Meadow LakeSaskatchewan · 5,667 people-17°C (2°F)C+#1,582 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D−
42Meadow Lake No. 588Saskatchewan · 2,712 people-17°C (2°F)C−#2,254 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: walkability D
43NeepawaManitoba · 6,328 people-17°C (2°F)A+#28 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: health B−
44SourisManitoba · 2,737 people-17°C (2°F)A−#435 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk C+
45MinnedosaManitoba · 2,859 people-17°C (2°F)B−#1,460 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: safety C
46BrandonManitoba · 59,444 people-17°C (2°F)C+#1,644 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety C−
47CornwallisManitoba · 4,705 people-17°C (2°F)Strongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C
48North Cypress-LangfordManitoba · 3,234 people-17°C (2°F)Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability C
49TisdaleSaskatchewan · 3,052 people-17°C (2°F)C+#1,671 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
50MelfortSaskatchewan · 6,028 people-17°C (2°F)C+#1,743 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
51TimminsOntario · 45,569 people-16°C (2°F)C−#2,152 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: schools D
52CochraneOntario · 5,948 people-16°C (2°F)C−#2,233 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability A−·lowest: schools D
53Iroquois FallsOntario · 4,640 people-16°C (2°F)Strongest: cost of living A, walkability A·lowest: jobs & income D
54North River HeightsManitoba · 7,228 people-16°C (3°F)A#277 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: safety D
55Central River HeightsManitoba · 2,736 people-16°C (3°F)A−#304 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
56CrescentwoodManitoba · 3,060 people-16°C (3°F)A−#468 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D
57NivervilleManitoba · 7,277 people-16°C (3°F)A−#470 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health C+
58East St. PaulManitoba · 10,321 people-16°C (3°F)A−#481 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A−·lowest: walkability C−
59AmosQuebec · 12,773 people-16°C (3°F)B+#590 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety C
60StonewallManitoba · 5,443 people-16°C (3°F)B+#651 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: health C
61Whyte RidgeManitoba · 7,299 people-16°C (3°F)B+#682 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, cost of living A−·lowest: safety D
62St. AdolpheManitoba · 8,770 people-16°C (3°F)B+#741 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: walkability C
63MinnetonkaManitoba · 4,461 people-16°C (3°F)B+#802 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
64La SalleManitoba · 9,215 people-16°C (3°F)B+#815 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health C+
65Tyndall ParkManitoba · 12,393 people-16°C (3°F)B+#816 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: safety D
66GrassieManitoba · 2,857 people-16°C (3°F)B+#850 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
67RiverbendManitoba · 5,453 people-16°C (3°F)B#870 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
68Island LakesManitoba · 4,148 people-16°C (3°F)B#878 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
69Canterbury ParkManitoba · 8,744 people-16°C (3°F)B#889 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D
70RobertsonManitoba · 5,090 people-16°C (3°F)B#903 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
71WestwoodManitoba · 5,716 people-16°C (3°F)B#914 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
72West St. PaulManitoba · 10,796 people-16°C (3°F)B#931 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
73MalarticQuebec · 3,506 people-16°C (3°F)B#940 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety C−
74SouthdaleManitoba · 8,210 people-16°C (3°F)B#956 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: safety D
75RoyalwoodManitoba · 6,439 people-16°C (3°F)B#972 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
76South River HeightsManitoba · 2,632 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,014 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
77ElmhurstManitoba · 6,600 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,029 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
78River Park SouthManitoba · 12,304 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,032 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
79MitchellManitoba · 19,950 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,052 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: walkability C+
80Linden WoodsManitoba · 11,134 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,058 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
81Point RoadManitoba · 3,290 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,065 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: safety D
82RoslynManitoba · 4,411 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,074 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D
83Val-d'OrQuebec · 33,353 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,104 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety C−
84Amber TrailsManitoba · 9,256 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,109 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
85SenneterreQuebec · 2,832 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,112 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
86Springfield NorthManitoba · 8,327 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,131 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
87Sargent ParkManitoba · 6,242 people-16°C (3°F)B#1,166 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
88Dakota CrossingManitoba · 13,048 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,186 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
89FraipontManitoba · 4,221 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,196 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
90PulberryManitoba · 7,723 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,200 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
91GlendaleManitoba · 3,586 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,228 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
92Sage CreekManitoba · 7,391 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,244 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
93Deer LodgeManitoba · 3,691 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,297 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D
94Mandalay WestManitoba · 5,423 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,302 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
95West Kildonan IndustrialManitoba · 3,678 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,305 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
96MeadowsManitoba · 3,822 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,308 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety D
97LoretteManitoba · 13,509 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,313 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability C
98Norwood WestManitoba · 2,909 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,316 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
99BetsworthManitoba · 7,476 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,329 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
100RiverviewManitoba · 4,649 people-16°C (3°F)B−#1,331 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety D
Method
How this list is made
Average January temperature, 1991–2020 normals at the nearest station. Towns of 2,500 or more in Canada are listed by it, best first; a tie goes to the town with the better overall rank. How grades work
Rankings
More lists across Canada
Best places to liveBest big townsBest small townsMost affordableSafestHealthiestJobs & incomeMost walkableLowest hazard riskCivic lifeHighest incomesFastest-growingMost historicMost bilingualYoungestOldestMildest wintersColdest wintersWarmest summersCoolest summersFewest frostsLeast snowSnowiestDriestWettest
Province by province
Best places to live, province by province
Photos: Rankin Inlet, OhanaUnited Talk page (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Arviat, Ansgar Walk (CC BY-SA 2.5) · Iqaluit, Sebastian Kasten (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).