Every year, Moneysense rates Canada’s Best Places to Live, weighing factors as diverse as weather, incomes and taxes, job prospects, access to health care, home affordability, crime rates, and overall lifestyle, including the percentage of people who walk or bike to work.

In their 2013 report, they’ve grouped their findings by city size, listing Canada’s Top 10 Large Cities, Top 10 Mid-sized Cities, and Top 10 Small Cities.

This year, Calgary edged out Ottawa for the top spot among large cities, for its booming job market and laid-back lifestyle. Though consistently rated one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, Vancouver ranked last among the large cities on the 2013 Moneysense list, because the cost of living (particularly housing) is the nation’s highest.

Several Ontario communities — most in the “Golden Horseshoe” surrounding Toronto — ranked high among the mid-sized cities, earning good marks for well-paying jobs and access to cultural and arts activities. Alberta dominated the list of best smaller cities; despite the harsh winter weather, residents in these communities enjoy affordable housing, low unemployment, and comparatively high incomes.

Canada’s top 10 large cities for 2013 are:

1. Calgary, AB
2. Ottawa, ON
3. Edmonton, AB
4. London, ON
5. Winnipeg, MB
6. Halifax, NS
7. Toronto, ON
8. Mississauga, ON
9. Quebec City, QC
10. Vancouver, BC

The top 10 mid-sized cities in Canada are:

1. Burlington, ON
2. Oakville, ON
3. Saanich, BC
4. Lethbridge, AB
5. Saskatoon, SK
6. Regina, SK
7. Kingston, ON
8. Vaughan, ON
9. Richmond Hill, ON
10. Lévis, QC

Among Canada’s smaller communities, the top 10 small cities include:

1. St. Albert, AB
2. Strathcona County, AB
3. Lacombe, AB
4. Newmarket, ON
5. Halton Hills, ON
6. Stratford, ON
7. Boucherville, QC
8. North Vancouver, BC
9. Milton, ON
10. Canmore, AB

For more information on the MoneySense survey, check out the Best Places to Live 2013 list.

Calgary skyline photo by JMacPherson (flickr)