10 of Canada’s best cities for meeting your financial goals

Thinking about buying a home, starting a family or planning for retirement? Your choice of city could make all the difference.

From St. John’s to Victoria, many Canadian cities offer a unique blend of affordability, opportunity and quality of life that can help you reach your financial and personal goals. We call it wealth-life balance — the sweet spot where financial growth meets everyday happiness.

To find out where Canadians are thriving, Tangerine teamed up with AskPolly.ai, a social listening and sentiment analysis platform, to explore how residents really feel about their cities. By analyzing thousands of online conversations about money, work and lifestyle, we uncovered where people are most satisfied while pursuing their goals. (Scroll to the bottom for full details on our methodology.)

How do you measure a feeling?

As AskPolly.ai and Tangerine analyzed survey and sentiment data, there are two main measurements for each element of a city:

• Joy Score measures the percentage of responses tied to positive, joy-based sentiment. It ranges from 0 to 1.0, where 1.0 = very high emotional satisfaction and 0 = no joy sentiment. To simplify this, Joy Score is discussed using categories of Very Low, Low, Average, High and Very High.
• Importance Rank (with 5 being highest) means a goal was frequently mentioned and emotionally resonant. A higher Importance Rank means that the element is relatively more important to people in that city. Lower scores may be less urgently or frequently mentioned.

Curious where your future could flourish? You may be surprised. Here, in no particular order, are 10 great Canadian cities for meeting your financial goals — and, just maybe, living your best life.

Dreaming of raising kids in a house on the prairie? Saskatoon offers a family-friendly lifestyle without the high costs of other cities. Residents appreciate the atmosphere and low cost of living. Green space, playgrounds and community events are abundant. The community is also investing heavily in public safety, which is good news for families who want to see safer communities.

“Saving to have kids” ranks among the most emotionally fulfilling and highly prioritized goals for locals. In the survey, residents highlighted shorter commutes, family-centric employers and an overall calm, connected environment as the reasons to root your family in Saskatoon.

Embrace the Atlantic in Nova Scotia’s capital and find homes priced over 19% below Canada’s August 2025 average of $686,800. Residents report genuine emotional satisfaction without the sky-high prices of Canada’s major metros, with a High Joy Score for buying real estate. They also deemed purchasing real estate a top priority (Importance Rank of 4.70 out of 5).

“Moving somewhere affordable” also scored similarly high, emphasizing the benefits of Halifax not only in home prices themselves, but the ability to find room in your budget for the mortgage. From smart real estate planning to maritime lifestyle perks, Halifax offers plenty of reasons to make it your home base.

No need to burn out while working toward your retirement goals. Kitchener-Waterloo makes it possible to save while enjoying life. Residents pursuing “saving for retirement” gave it an Average Joy Score and an Importance Rank of 4.62, showing they’re focused on the future and relatively satisfied with how things are going.

Toronto is nearby, but its high housing costs are not. Still, residents point to career potential, offering opportunities to pad your RRSP. Survey and sentiment data also place Kitchener-Waterloo as a top destination for entrepreneurship and innovation. Strong tech infrastructure help the region compete with nearby Toronto, fueling an energetic community with ambition—one that can keep you enlivened through those working years towards a happy, thriving retirement.   

Some of the lowest average home prices in the country? You bet. Winnipeg is an enjoyable place to settle down while you make your budget go farther than in other locales. Transportation, groceries and entertainment are all lower-priced than in other major Canadian cities, so you can live comfortably without stretching your paycheque. Winnipeg hits a High Joy Score, mainly due to its low cost of living and accessible lifestyle, proving that low-cost does not mean a low quantity of fun, culture and community.

The charming Newfoundland and Labrador capital is our survey’s under-the-radar pick for small business owners. St. John’s received a Very High Joy Score for building wealth and entrepreneurship and a 4.15 Importance Rank for these goals. Welcoming, relaxing vibes, a steady economy, and a thriving tourist industry may also support your future business aspirations. Residents' entrepreneurial spirits are reflected in their survey scores regarding opening a business and building wealth. They also appreciate community support and lower startup costs. Early-stage entrepreneurs, independent professional consultants and side-hustling go-getters may find solid ground on “The Rock.”

Calgary might be one of the largest cities in Canada, but it offers a relatively low cost of living and affordable house prices, resulting in an enticing balance between your lifestyle and finances. There’s a reason Ontarians and British Columbians have been stampeding to Alberta. Calgary remains one of the few bastions of affordable housing, without sacrificing salary potential.

Calgary scores Average on its Joy Score for affordability, but residents believe affordability is key to their satisfaction in the city, giving it an Importance Rank higher than 4.7 (out of 5). Plus, there’s no provincial sales tax in Alberta, so your earnings stretch further. Though the cost of living is higher than in a city like Halifax, the median income is higher, too.

Another draw, our survey found, is the balance of urban and outdoor leisure activities, offering professionals the perfect way to unplug and maintain that mental, emotional, financial, and professional balance.

Sometimes you’ve got to pay to play, right? Vancouver’s cost of living and home prices are high, but those may be worthy trade-offs to live in a place ranked 11^th in the 2025 global Happy City Index.

Vancouver might have lower sentiment around cost pressures and affordability, but it captures a higher Joy Score in areas meaningful to entrepreneurial young professionals, such as networking, workplace flexibility and higher-than-average salaries. There are also high joy sentiments in shared social experiences, from events to public transportation, with plenty of opportunity to rub shoulders with other empire-building and side-hustling pals.

Sure, it’s competitive, but if you want to enjoy coastal beauty, a mosaic of cultures, and endless opportunities for recreation, art, and sports, Vancouver hits the spot. Vancouver’s tech, health care and tourism industries are sparkling with opportunities to flex your entrepreneurial spirit. Just prepare to pay up for nearby housing or endure a long commute.

Sophistication without sticker shock: Bienvenue à Montréal.

Canada’s second-largest city earned the highest score, a 3.3, in AskPolly.ai’s research on the best places in Canada for paying down debt. One reason comes down to housing compared to other big-ticket cities. Though prices have been rising, the average home price in Montreal remains significantly lower than in Toronto and Vancouver. That makes it a prime spot for city culture without spending twice as much to buy a home. Those lower monthly mortgage payments mean you can put more money towards other debt repayment instead—and towards enjoying Montreal’s renowned joie de vivre.

Known for its mild weather and natural beauty, Victoria has been deemed a land of opportunity for building wealth by residents. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but it’s an ideal spot for growing your net worth. Survey data showed a 4.05 Importance Rank and Very High Joy Score for residents of Victoria who were focused on building wealth. A solid median income, investment in new developments, and a fast-growing economy spanning restaurants, IT, nursing, law and other industries are all positive signs for the city. The overall outlook for the future, indicated by the high Joy Score, is a positive signal for newcomers.

In 2025, Toronto placed 15th in the world among cities with the most millionaires, so it’s no surprise that it doesn’t make the cut on affordability. Yet Canada’s biggest city remains a great choice for entrepreneurs, specifically those working in the tech sector.

Recently ranked within the top 25 cities globally for strong startup ecosystems, Toronto is the highest-positioned city in Canada. It beat out Vancouver, which landed in 40th place. While many other Canadian cities have standout cleantech and fintech sectors, Toronto earns its startup-friendly reputation in the software and data categories. If you’re launching an app, SaaS or data product, you could be right at home in Toronto.

Honorable Mentions

Regina: Practical on the Prairies

Saskatchewan’s capital might not have the same draw as larger Canadian metros, but its appeal comes from affordability and stability. The city consistently ranks as one of the more cost-effective places to buy a home, with average housing prices hovering just over $340,000, less than half of what you’d pay in cities like Calgary or Ottawa. Regina’s job market is closely tied to natural resources and government services, offering relative stability but fewer high-growth sectors like tech. For professionals who want to keep costs low and build savings without the financial pressures of a major metropolis, Regina is a practical choice.

Guelph: Family first

Often referred to as one of Ontario’s most livable cities, Guelph combines small-city charm with proximity to the Greater Toronto Area. Though its housing market is pricey (with average prices hovering around $900,000), the city is also well regarded for safety, sustainability initiatives and strong public schools, making it attractive to families who value community over hustle. For those who want access to Toronto’s economic opportunities without living in the thick of it, Guelph offers a balance of stability and quality of life.

Ottawa: Capital gains

It’s not all politics in Canada’s capital. Residents expressed joy and optimism about paying down debt, affording housing and experiencing economic growth. Ottawa received top scores (a Joy Score of Very High and an Importance Rank of 3.98) for paying off debt in the city. The cost of living and housing affordability are approachable, and the household income is competitive — a win-win for anyone striving for positive cash flow (and who isn’t?). Ottawa also boasts plenty of alternative, cost-friendly housing options and commutable regions (such as Kanata and Barrhaven), if you want to cut costs further. Mid-career professionals, including civil servants, and those working in tech, life sciences, and communications, can establish a comfortable life in Ottawa without sacrificing culture or recreation. We consider those “capital” gains.

At every stage of your (financial) life, Victoria is a leading choice—for career-focused professionals, budget-conscious savers and rapid wealth builders alike. Residents of Victoria report feeling highly aligned with core financial goals, including owning property, advancing in their careers and preparing for long-term financial security. When it’s easy to build net worth, your opportunities for a rich lifestyle are nearly boundless.

Level up your job, buy your dream home (or rental property), and balance your budget while basking in all Victoria has to offer.

Data and research methodology

Tangerine partnered with AskPolly.ai, a social listening and sentiment analysis platform that goes beyond the traditional survey approach. By capturing how thousands of people feel, talk and engage online about money, work and lifestyle, and looking through the lenses of different cities and professions, this research answers the question: Where are Canadians happiest achieving their financial goals?

From March 2024 to March 2025, data was collected across more than 20 Canadian cities from anonymized social posts, discussions, and poll responses regarding financial behaviours, city life and personal fulfillment. By analyzing city, professional and lifestyle sentiments and metrics (more than 50 individual elements), AskPolly.ai researchers discovered where financial aspirations and joyful living align for different professionals with different savings goals.

Our survey differs from others, like StatCan’s Quality of Life tool, which relies on historical data from government surveys, census and other official sources. While they look from an administrative, policy and systematic lens, Tangerine and AskPolly.ai’s study turns to real-life local perspectives. By using sentiment data — how locals feel, as measured across digital touchpoints and surveys — we can see how these stats hold up in the real world.

We can learn a few things about why wealth-life balance might be so top-of-mind from StatCan, though:

• Groceries (4.7%) and rent (4.7%) are all costlier, year over year, as of December, though inflation overall is down to 2.2%
• Perceived health and mental health both declined
• Fewer Canadians feel hopeful about the future, and fewer feel satisfied in life
• More Canadians feel safer in their neighbourhoods
• Canada’s sense of meaning and purpose is on the rise

Add it all up, and a move to a new city for a fresh perspective, strong financial bearings and pursuit of personal purpose sounds like a good move.

Our survey data, used across these rankings, explains how real people feel about their money, lifestyle and city experience. For instance, affordability — whether it statistically measures as affordable, how does it feel to those in the city pursuing wealth-life balance?

Enjoy wealth-life balance for years to come

The study behind this list reveals that Canadians are happiest when their financial situation and values align. When the hard work you put in results in a lifestyle you enjoy, happiness follows.

As you accomplish life goals and your net worth grows, so should the amount of joy you find every day and in the city around you. Saving for your goals, your family, your lifestyle and your retirement is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires smart decisions, sticking to your personal goals and putting your money to work in ways that work for you.

Tangerine helps you stick with the plan while embracing the good life in a city that inspires, supports, and empowers you. Turn to Tangerine as your partner in steady, long-term banking and investing that sees you through every stage of life, no matter where in Canada you call home.