Moose Jaw continues to climb the national livability ladder, earning a spot as the fifth most livable city on the Prairies and 57th overall in Canada, according to the Globe and Mail’s latest ranking of Canada’s Most Livable Cities.

The third annual report, released Jan. 29, evaluated 454 cities using 58 variables across 10 categories relevant to people considering relocation. Those categories include economy, housing, demographics, health care, safety, education, community, amenities, transportation and climate.

Moose Jaw’s 2026 placement marks a 21-spot improvement from last year, when the city ranked 78th overall. The steady rise follows a significant leap in the previous edition of the report, when Moose Jaw jumped 50 spots nationally between 2023 and 2024.

In addition to its overall ranking, Moose Jaw received several notable subcategory distinctions in this year’s report. The city ranked fourth most livable in Saskatchewan, fifth most livable on the Prairies, and 14th most livable medium-sized city in Canada among communities with populations between 30,000 and 99,000.

The report also named Moose Jaw the top-ranked city in Saskatchewan for housing affordability and the fourth best city on the Prairies for raising children, placing 18th overall in Canada in that category.

Mayor James Murdock said the results reinforce what many residents already experience in daily life.

“This year’s Globe & Mail ranking helps validate what Moose Javians already know — our quality of life is exceptional in Moose Jaw,” Murdock said in a statement. “In Moose Jaw you get more house for less money, get anywhere in five to 15 minutes, get access to first-class health care, recreation and education, and you get a city with unmatched community spirit.”

The Globe and Mail launched its livability rankings in 2023 to help readers identify communities where they are most likely to thrive, with each annual edition refining its methodology based on data availability and reader feedback. In recent years, the report has expanded its analysis to include factors such as climate impacts and access to cultural amenities.

According to the City of Moose Jaw, the city’s continued upward movement reflects a combination of affordability, access to services, and community-focused amenities, factors that have consistently contributed to improved scores across multiple categories.

The full report is available for paid Globe and Mail subscribers at TheGlobeAndMail.com.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express