SASKATOON — Saskatoon was named the country’s top city to raise a family, according to Canada’s Best Cities for Wealth-Life Balance study released Monday, Jan. 12. The study, conducted by Tangerine Bank, found Saskatoon offers strong work-life balance and a family-friendly lifestyle without the high cost of living seen in many of Canada’s major urban hubs.
The study, which analyzed more than 20 Canadian cities based on how Canadians feel about achieving their financial and life goals. The research assessed residents’ perspectives on balancing economic progress with work-life balance. Saskatchewan’s capital, the study said, shows strong affordability and long-term stability.
Saskatoon families reported high levels of emotional satisfaction around family-related goals, driven by the city’s affordability, strong sense of community and local officials’ emphasis on investing in green spaces, playgrounds and safety. These factors, along with community-centred events and an inclusive atmosphere, contributed to the positive responses.
Residents also said family-related goals ranked high in both emotional satisfaction and importance, with results showing people feel the city is well-positioned for raising families. Saskatoon’s family-friendly environment stood out from other cities, including Halifax, the Kitchener-Waterloo region and Winnipeg.
Each city was evaluated using a joy score, which measures emotional sentiment, and an importance rank, which reflects how frequently and strongly people discuss specific financial or life goals, including home ownership, retirement savings and cost of living.
The AI-powered market research platform AskPolly.ai analyzed thousands of online conversations about money, work and lifestyle. The results highlighted manageable living costs, accessible services and community infrastructure that help families achieve both financial stability and personal fulfillment.
Saskatoon, which offers a family-friendly lifestyle without the high cost of living found in many larger cities, has a population of 367,336, according to 2024 data. The average home price is $431,000, the median household income is $89,000, and the unemployment rate sits at 5.6 per cent, one of the lowest in the country.
Regina earned an honourable mention despite not attracting residents at the same rate as some larger Canadian cities. Its affordability and stability have consistently ranked it among the most cost-effective places to buy a home, with average housing prices around $340,000 — roughly half the cost of comparable homes in Calgary or Ottawa.
The job market in Saskatchewan’s capital is largely driven by natural resources and government services, offering stability but fewer high-growth sectors such as technology. For professionals looking to keep costs low and build savings without the pressures of a major metropolis, Regina remains a practical option.
