Vancouver Named One of the World’s Most Liveable Cities, But Can Newcomers Afford It?

Vancouver placed ninth in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for 2026, making it the only North American city to rank among the world’s top ten. The annual Top 10 List evaluates 173 cities based on factors including healthcare, education, infrastructure, stability, and culture.

But – while Vancouver continues to earn international praise for its quality of life, the ranking also raises an important question for hopeful newcomers and Canadians alike: how much does that quality of life actually cost? And who can afford it?

Vancouver Ranked Ninth in the World

The EIU gave Vancouver an overall score of 96 out of 100, placing it behind cities like Copenhagen, Vienna, Melbourne, and Zurich.

According to the EIU’s Top 10 List, the world’s most liveable cities for 2026 are:

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Sydney, Australia
5. Zurich, Switzerland
6. Geneva, Switzerland
7. Osaka, Japan
8. Adelaide, Australia
9. Vancouver, Canada
10. Tokyo, Japan

Vancouver performed particularly well across the categories used by the EIU to calculate its rankings. The city received a perfect score for education, 97 out of 100 for culture and environment, 96 for healthcare, 95 for stability, and 93 for infrastructure.

Why Did Vancouver Rank So Highly?

The EIU’s rankings focus on the overall quality of life residents can expect in each city.

For Vancouver, this includes access to great healthcare, strong public schools, reliable infrastructure, low levels of violent crime, and easy access to nature and cultural attractions. Together, these factors have helped Vancouver remain one of the world’s highest-ranked “liveable” cities for many years.

Canada was represented by just one city in this year’s top ten, while Australia had three cities on the list and Switzerland and Japan each had two. Copenhagen retained the top position for the second consecutive year. Notably, Canada’s southern neighbour, the United States, failed to get a single city in the Top 10.

How Does The EIU Measure Liveability?

The Global Liveability Index evaluates cities across five categories:

1. Stability (25 percent)
2. Healthcare (20 percent)
3. Culture and environment (25 percent)
4. Education (10 percent)
5. Infrastructure (20 percent)

Within those categories, the EIU considers more than 30 indicators, including things like public transportation, healthcare quality, crime levels, climate, the availability of housing, and more.

But – one thing the ranking does not directly measure is affordability.

While “housing availability” is considered as part of the score, the EIU index does not consider how expensive it is to rent or buy a home, nor does it consider how much of a resident’s income is needed to cover housing costs. The report was developed to assess overall living conditions in cities around the world, rather than whether they are financially accessible to the average resident.

Like with many things in this world, if you can afford to pay more for something – whether it’s a car, a hotel, or the city where you choose to reside – you’re likely to get better quality.

This distinction is particularly important for newcomers, who may take a few years to settle into Canadian careers and the housing market.

Is Vancouver Affordable for Newcomers?

Despite its high quality of life, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most expensive cities. This is an important detail for newcomers to consider when deciding where to live.

According to Numbeo’s July 2026 estimates, renting a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver’s city centre costs around CAD $2,600 per month. That’s higher than comparable estimates for Toronto, Montreal, and Winnipeg.

Note: Numbeo’s figures are crowdsourced estimates rather than official government data. They provide a useful snapshot of relative housing costs across major Canadian cities, but they lack complete accuracy.

Housing is often the largest expense for newcomers, particularly during their first few years in Canada. While Vancouver offers excellent public services, beautiful natural surroundings, and a strong job market, those advantages need to be weighed against the city’s high cost of living.

For many newcomers, choosing where to settle is ultimately a balance between quality of life and affordability. A city with slightly lower international rankings could offer a more manageable cost of living, allowing newcomers to save more, purchase a home sooner, start a family, or enjoy greater financial flexibility.

What Should Newcomers Take Away from the Ranking?

The EIU’s latest rankings reinforce Vancouver’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to live. For newcomers who can comfortably afford the city’s housing costs, the combination of excellent healthcare, education, infrastructure, and access to nature make it an attractive place to build a life.

But – at the same time, global liveability rankings tell only part of the story.

If you’re deciding where to settle in Canada, it’s worth looking beyond international rankings and considering a range of factors including housing costs, employment opportunities, salaries, and your long-term financial and family goals. A city that is slightly lower on a global list may ultimately offer a better fit for your budget and lifestyle.

To explore other cities in Canada, you can check out our many destination guides.