#1Inuvik
Northwest Territories · 3,337 peopleOverall C+·#1,741 of 2,556
Strongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
Inuvik, #1 on this list · Photo: Daniel Case (CC BY-SA 3.0)Canada · 2026
Driest towns in Canada
Last on the list is Tofino, at 3,111 mm. The first ten places are spread over 5 provinces and territories. Leading the list is Inuvik, Northwest Territories, at 250 mm. The next two places belong to Kamloops, 273 mm, and Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-Nicola, 273 mm. The middle town on the list, Sarnia, sits at 871 mm.
Rain and snow a year (total precipitation), 1991–2020 normals How grades work
#1250 mm Precipitation a year
#2Kamloops
British Columbia · 108,793 peopleOverall C·#2,020 of 2,556
Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
#3Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-Nicola
British Columbia · 3,543 peopleOverall D−·#2,516 of 2,556
Strongest: walkability C+, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
The top 100 of 2,589
Ranked by its measure (Precipitation a year), best first; each town’s overall grade and national rank sit beside it.
100 towns
#TownPrecipitation a yearGrade · national rankWhat drives it
1InuvikNorthwest Territories · 3,337 people250 mmC+#1,741 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety D−
2KamloopsBritish Columbia · 108,793 people273 mmC#2,020 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living D
3Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-NicolaBritish Columbia · 3,543 people273 mmD−#2,516 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability C+, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
4Electoral Area P (Rivers and the Peaks), Thompson-NicolaBritish Columbia · 4,540 people273 mmD−#2,538 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools B−, jobs & income C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
5MerrittBritish Columbia · 7,190 people273 mmD−#2,539 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: schools D−
6WhitehorseYukon · 34,129 people280 mmC−#2,059 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D
7YellowknifeNorthwest Territories · 22,858 people294 mmB−#1,243 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: safety D−
8Newell CountyAlberta · 7,846 people299 mmB+#696 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, safety A−·lowest: walkability C+
9BrooksAlberta · 17,537 people299 mmB#871 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety C
10Rankin InletNunavut · 3,336 people316 mmStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A+·lowest: safety D−
12Hay RiverNorthwest Territories · 3,317 people320 mmB−#1,346 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
13Forty Mile County No. 8Alberta · 3,927 people331 mmA−#358 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, hazard risk A·lowest: jobs & income C−
14Cypress CountyAlberta · 7,855 people331 mmC+#1,603 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: schools C−
15RedcliffAlberta · 5,916 people331 mmC+#1,635 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income B−·lowest: schools C−
16Medicine HatAlberta · 68,714 people331 mmC#1,830 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability B+·lowest: safety C
17KindersleySaskatchewan · 4,740 people335 mmA−#554 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: safety C−
18RosetownSaskatchewan · 2,600 people338 mmA+#31 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk B
19HannaAlberta · 2,665 people339 mmA#249 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A+, walkability A+·lowest: safety C+
20SummerlandBritish Columbia · 12,343 people344 mmB#1,027 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A−, walkability A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
21OliverBritish Columbia · 5,262 people344 mmC+#1,693 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, schools A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
22Okanagan FallsBritish Columbia · 4,002 people344 mmC#1,800 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A−, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D−
23PeachlandBritish Columbia · 6,302 people344 mmC#1,867 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, walkability B·lowest: cost of living D−
24PentictonBritish Columbia · 39,068 people344 mmC#1,919 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, schools A−·lowest: cost of living D−
25West KelownaBritish Columbia · 40,274 people344 mmC−#2,092 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
26OsoyoosBritish Columbia · 5,724 people344 mmC−#2,227 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, schools B·lowest: hazard risk D−
27Electoral Area C, Okanagan-SimilkameenBritish Columbia · 4,103 people344 mmC−#2,250 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A−, health B·lowest: hazard risk D−
28Electoral Area E (West Boundary), Kootenay BoundaryBritish Columbia · 3,361 people344 mmD#2,491 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: health B, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D
29PrincetonBritish Columbia · 3,050 people355 mmD#2,404 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
30WarmanSaskatchewan · 14,245 people357 mmA+#43 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, safety A·lowest: walkability B−
31MartensvilleSaskatchewan · 11,808 people357 mmA+#84 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C+
32BrightonSaskatchewan · 7,238 people357 mmB+#578 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
33DundonaldSaskatchewan · 2,855 people357 mmB+#616 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
34Hampton VillageSaskatchewan · 9,119 people357 mmB+#637 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
35Corman Park No. 344Saskatchewan · 10,463 people357 mmB+#720 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability C−
36Lakewood Urban CentreSaskatchewan · 4,923 people357 mmB+#735 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A·lowest: safety C−
37Adelaide/ChurchillSaskatchewan · 2,652 people357 mmB+#742 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
38Silverwood HeightsSaskatchewan · 8,153 people357 mmB+#773 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
39WillowgroveSaskatchewan · 9,787 people357 mmB+#783 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
40HollistonSaskatchewan · 2,963 people357 mmB#989 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: safety C−
41Hillcrest Management AreaSaskatchewan · 3,004 people357 mmB#1,011 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability D
42Nutana ParkSaskatchewan · 3,045 people357 mmB#1,049 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A·lowest: safety C−
43Confederation ParkSaskatchewan · 5,771 people357 mmB#1,069 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
44EvergreenSaskatchewan · 16,088 people357 mmB#1,152 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
45Vanscoy No. 345Saskatchewan · 3,029 people357 mmB#1,164 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C
46Greystone HeightsSaskatchewan · 6,402 people357 mmB−#1,177 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: safety C−
47Buena VistaSaskatchewan · 5,777 people357 mmB−#1,179 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
48Lawson HeightsSaskatchewan · 8,158 people357 mmB−#1,265 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
49WestviewSaskatchewan · 2,670 people357 mmB−#1,289 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety C−
50StonebridgeSaskatchewan · 15,230 people357 mmB−#1,328 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
51AvalonSaskatchewan · 9,488 people357 mmB−#1,335 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
52RosewoodSaskatchewan · 8,427 people357 mmB−#1,382 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
53HaultainSaskatchewan · 6,126 people357 mmB−#1,395 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
54Pacific HeightsSaskatchewan · 3,770 people357 mmB−#1,453 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, health B+·lowest: safety C−
55Brevoort ParkSaskatchewan · 3,485 people357 mmB−#1,497 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
56ParkridgeSaskatchewan · 4,518 people357 mmC+#1,559 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, health B+·lowest: safety C−
57Blairmore Suburban CentreSaskatchewan · 7,411 people357 mmC+#1,609 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: safety C−
58Caswell HillSaskatchewan · 2,573 people357 mmC+#1,708 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: safety C−
59University Heights Urban CentreSaskatchewan · 9,247 people357 mmC+#1,732 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, health B+·lowest: safety C−
60City ParkSaskatchewan · 3,827 people357 mmC+#1,744 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D−
61South West IndustrialSaskatchewan · 5,297 people357 mmC#1,772 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, health B+·lowest: safety C−
62LakewoodSaskatchewan · 14,880 people357 mmC#1,793 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
63FairhavenSaskatchewan · 6,536 people357 mmC#1,821 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
64Lawson Heights Urban CentreSaskatchewan · 3,622 people357 mmC#1,842 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
65MayfairSaskatchewan · 2,927 people357 mmC#1,857 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A·lowest: safety C−
66Rosthern No. 403Saskatchewan · 2,791 people357 mmC#1,879 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income A·lowest: health D−
67North ParkSaskatchewan · 5,000 people357 mmC#1,957 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
68EastviewSaskatchewan · 7,536 people357 mmC#1,964 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D
69UniversitySaskatchewan · 5,888 people357 mmC#1,995 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
70WestmountSaskatchewan · 2,872 people357 mmC−#2,039 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
71Mount RoyalSaskatchewan · 5,292 people357 mmC−#2,098 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
72Central Business DistrictSaskatchewan · 4,987 people357 mmC−#2,119 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D−
73Massey PlaceSaskatchewan · 6,561 people357 mmC−#2,169 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
74MeadowgreenSaskatchewan · 3,782 people357 mmC−#2,177 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
75Pleasant HillSaskatchewan · 6,088 people357 mmC−#2,257 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
76Nutana Urban CentreSaskatchewan · 5,926 people357 mmC−#2,268 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D
77Grosvenor ParkSaskatchewan · 6,240 people357 mmC−#2,282 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, hazard risk A·lowest: cost of living D−
78High LevelAlberta · 4,390 people360 mmC#1,848 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, cost of living A·lowest: hazard risk D−
79La CrèteAlberta · 14,488 people360 mmD−#2,535 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A+, jobs & income B·lowest: schools D
81RaymondAlberta · 4,594 people373 mmA#239 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A, safety A·lowest: jobs & income B−
82MagrathAlberta · 2,566 people373 mmA−#313 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk C+
83CoaldaleAlberta · 9,644 people373 mmB+#679 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, schools A−·lowest: cost of living C
84Warner County No. 5Alberta · 4,533 people373 mmB+#716 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: schools A+, safety A·lowest: walkability D
85CoalhurstAlberta · 3,244 people373 mmB+#849 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A, jobs & income B·lowest: cost of living C+
86TaberAlberta · 10,175 people373 mmB−#1,258 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B·lowest: safety C
87TaberAlberta · 8,009 people373 mmB−#1,380 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: safety A+, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability C−
88LethbridgeAlberta · 113,671 people373 mmC+#1,760 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
89Lethbridge CountyAlberta · 10,988 people373 mmC−#2,082 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, hazard risk B·lowest: cost of living C−
90JasperAlberta · 4,627 people376 mmB#1,110 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
91HintonAlberta · 10,124 people376 mmC+#1,620 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: safety D
92Camrose CountyAlberta · 8,951 people378 mmC−#2,053 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D
93CamroseAlberta · 20,800 people378 mmC−#2,279 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living C−
94WetaskiwinAlberta · 13,703 people378 mmD−#2,505 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: safety D
95Beaver CountyAlberta · 6,245 people378 mmD−#2,512 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living C+·lowest: walkability D
96UnitySaskatchewan · 2,543 people383 mmB+#577 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: safety C−
97BattlefordSaskatchewan · 4,657 people383 mmC+#1,571 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D−
98North BattlefordSaskatchewan · 14,882 people383 mmC−#2,089 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety D−
99FairviewAlberta · 2,918 people384 mmB+#863 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, walkability A−·lowest: safety C−
100Peace RiverAlberta · 7,220 people384 mmC+#1,518 of 2,556 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D
Method
How this list is made
Rain and snow a year (total precipitation), 1991–2020 normals. 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: Inuvik, Daniel Case (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Kamloops, Kiyoteru Awaji (CC BY 4.0) · Electoral Area L (Grasslands), Thompson-Nicola, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson S… (Public domain), 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).