Montreal is one of Canada's 'best places to live' but you won't believe where beat it
Montreal has long been considered one of the coolest cities in Canada among those who've lived here. Between the iconic food scene, the electric nightlife, and hidden gems that'll transport you straight to Europe, it's a city that doesn't really need to prove itself. Or so we thought.
Last week, a new ranking from Global Citizen Solutions listed the best places to live in Canada based on factors like job opportunities, crime rates, average salaries, housing prices, the cost of living, and more.
And on that list, Montreal didn't take the top spot. In fact, it didn't even land in the top three. It came fourth — and it wasn't national hubs like Toronto and Vancouver that stole the show. In fact, Canada's top three "best places to live" might come as a bit of a surprise.
Although it missed out on a top-three finish, Montreal did score pretty highly overall. The city's average salary is $57,246, and while the average home price ($671,600) isn't exactly cheap, it's still more reasonable than other big Canadian cities.
Plus, the STM got a shoutout in the ranking as being one of the best public transit systems in the world (some Montrealers may disagree), and the city's hospitals were described as "world class" thanks to their advanced medical services and contributions to innovation in healthcare.
Factor in Montreal's famous nightlife, thriving startup scene, arts and culture fests, and multilingual charm, and it's still very much a place people want to live.
But it's not quite good enough to rank within Canada's top three cities, apparently.
Perhaps surprisingly, it was Calgary that snagged the number one spot.
According to Global Citizen Solutions, the Alberta city is the full package, with solid career growth opportunities, a low crime rate, lower taxes, and moderate living costs. You can make a good salary ($58,243 on average — slightly higher than Montreal), buy a home for under $640,000 (cheaper than Montreal's $671,600), and hike the Rockies on the weekend.
Ottawa came in second, and while that might raise some eyebrows, the stats speak for themselves. It has the highest Quality of Life Index score in Canada, according to Numbeo, thanks to its healthcare system, safe neighbourhoods, and fairly low cost of living (monthly expenses hover around $1,479). Plus, the city's average salary? A comfy $64,995.
And then there's Edmonton in third. Frequently overlooked, this sunlit Alberta city shines with super affordable home prices (around $431,000), tons of green space, and a jam-packed festival calendar. It's one of the sunniest cities in Canada, with 325 days of sun every year, and is a hub for those working in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, construction and retail.
The best places to live in Canada
- Calgary, AB
- Ottawa, ON
- Edmonton, AB
- Montreal, QC
- Hamilton, ON
- Victoria, BC
- Halifax, NS
- Vancouver, BC
- Winnipeg, MB
- Waterloo, ON
- Toronto, ON
- Saskatoon, SK
- Charlottetown, PEI
- Fredricton, NB
- Quebec City, QC
You can find the full report here.
While Montreal didn't quite crack the top three, it still holds its own as a vibrant, culture-packed place to live. Although 325 days of sunshine every year does sound nice...
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The main space.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
Kitchen, dining room and spiral staircase.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
Large windows and a fireplace.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
The living space.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
A bedroom.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
A bathroom.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
A unique outdoor staircase.Courtesy of Saguy Elbaz, Sotheby’s International Realty Québec
A graph of the Canadian National Rent Index, showing rising costs and a plateau in prices over the last few months.
Average asking rent in the top 25 small and mid-sized markets as of October 2023.
A table of the average listed rent by province in November 2023.
An overhead view of Quebec City sprawl. 
A graph comparing the average asking rent for roommate rentals in major Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
A view from above of the house, with an angle on the outdoor pool.
A shot of the home's front door.
The home's first entry vestibule.
The inner entryway, facing a staircase.
A view of the main living room and three large windows.
A pristine, newly-renovated white kitchen.
A blue-and-red dining room.
The family room, complete with a TV and small library.
One of the home's several bathrooms.
The second-story landing, featuring a portrait of a woman.
A view of the home's primary suite.
The main bathroom of the primary suite, focused on the beautiful bathtub.
A red-and-white toned office.
A kitted-out exercise room.
The backyard pool, in-ground, of course.
