To launch a successful business, entrepreneurs need a community with a thriving economy, good infrastructure, networking opportunities, accessible transportation and a supportive business environment. In this ranking, we prioritized economic factors, low commute times and low taxes. We also assigned lower weights to our Housing and Amenities categories, presuming these individuals would be focused on professional growth more than their home lives. We’ve also introduced a new variable to this ranking – projected population change from 2024 to 2029 – to capture future community changes that may affect businesses and their owners.
This is one of six rankings designed to help people find the best city for them based on their stage of life. When people are considering relocating to a new city, there are many factors worth considering. It’s a highly personal decision, but a ranking with the livability of a city at the centre can help provide some guidance.
We’ve collected data from 448 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. Our evaluation involved an analysis of 50 variables, which span 10 categories that we’ve identified as particularly crucial when an individual contemplates relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate.
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Our methodology
When people are considering relocating to a new city, there are many factors worth considering. It’s a highly personal decision, but a ranking with the livability of a city at the centre can help provide some guidance.
This year, The Globe and Mail’s second annual Most Livable Cities ranking included 448 cities across the country, each with a population exceeding 10,000. The ranking was enhanced by a survey sent to readers, asking for insights on what matters most to them when choosing a place to live and how improvements can be made to our rankings.
Our evaluation involved an analysis of 50 variables, which spanned 10 categories that we’ve identified as particularly crucial when an individual contemplates relocating to a new area. These categories are Economy, Housing, Demographics, Health Care, Safety, Education, Community, Amenities, Transportation and Climate. This included new variables, such as the density of museums and galleries – a popular request in the survey responses – and projected climate metrics, adding more forward-looking elements to the ranking.