The City of Cranbrook is the lone community in the Kootenays to be included in the top 201 cities in MoneySense Magazine’s Best Places to Live 2014 – coming in at 141^st. When compared to small cities (under 100,000 population), it finished 86^th.

Cranbrook placed 26th in the last MoneySense poll in 2012, among small cities (under 100,000 population) – out of 139.

A total of 34 factors were considered by MoneySense in determining rankings including: Population growth from 2008-2013; unemployment rate; average household income; average discretionary income; average household net worth; average house prices; averages year to buy a home and property tax percentage, average property tax and much more.

The top three cities on the list are from Alberta, with St. Albert, Calgary and Strathcona County, while Ottawa and Burlington, Ont. round out the top five. Six to 10 are: Boucherville, Que.; Oakville, Ont.; Edmonton, Alta.; Regina, Sask.; and Québec City, Que.

The population of the provinces and the volume of cities correlates to the results, with the four most populous provinces finishing first to fourth in order.

A total of 40 B.C. municipalities made the top 201, placing the province third overall in the nation, while Alberta placed fourth with 19. Ontario had the most cities, 63, on the list with Quebec placing the second most at 41.

The top ranked B.C. city is Saanich, at 14^th place. Other cities finishing ahead of the Key City: North Vancouver District Municipality, 25^th; North Vancouver, 28^th; West Vancouver, 36^th; Vancouver, 39^th; Maple Ridge, 47^th; Delta, 48^th; Port Coquitlam, 55th; Richmond, 61^st; Salmon Arm, 64^th; Port Moody, 65^th; Dawson Creek, 73^rd; Langley, 74^th; Kamloops, 75^th; Victoria, 76^th; Coquitlam, 84^th; Kelowna, 92^nd; Fort St. John, 97^th; Courtney, 99^th; Burnaby, 102^nd; Terrace, 110^th; New Westminster, 124^th; Vernon, 125^th; Nanaimo, 126^th; Squamish, 133^rd.

Cities rated after Cranbrook: Penticton, 143^rd; Abbotsford/Mission, 147^th; Prince George, 148^th; Langley, 153^rd; Quesnel, 160^th; Duncan, 165^th; Powell River, 170^th; Chilliwack, 171^st; Surrey, 174^th; Campbell River, 175^th; Parksville, 177^th; Williams Lake, 186^th; Prince Rupert, 195^th; Port Alberni, 201^st.

For the full list click

For methodology used click

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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