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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Vancouver vs Hamilton in 2026: cost index 128 vs 105, rent $2,600 vs $1,700, income $76,000 vs $72,000, QoL 61 vs 58.
Vancouver vs Hamilton in 2026: cost index 128 vs 105, rent $2,600 vs $1,700, income $76,000 vs $72,000, QoL 61 vs 58.
Vancouver ranks #1 with a cost index of 128 and rent of $2,600/month.
Average cost index across these cities: 117 (+16 vs national average of 101).
Average quality of life: 60/100. Top: Vancouver at 61/100.
Safest city: Vancouver (65/100 safety score).
Here's where the conversation shifts from 'affordable' to 'strategic': Vancouver stands out as the top-ranked city in this analysis. With a cost index of 128 and median income of $76,000, it offers competitive value despite costs slightly above the national median. That's a strong position by any measure.
On quality of life, Vancouver leads with a composite score of 61/100 — reflecting its safety (65), healthcare (82), and walkability (80) metrics. That said, affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Canada is a good example of that tension.
The country average QoL score is 63/100. Vancouver leads with 61/100, reflecting its safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include Statistics Canada, CMHC, CRA.
Vancouver (ranked #1) has a cost index of 128 and rent of $2,600/mo. Hamilton (#2) has index 105 and rent $1,700/mo — a 23-point gap.