New data reveals the 'most peaceful' places to live and Canadian towns demolished US ones
If you're thinking about relocating to one of the best cities to live in Canada or just scouting out nice places to visit, a new ranking of the most peaceful places might help you plan your next move — or at least inspire a Canadian road trip.
Online casino Betway crunched the numbers to figure out the most peaceful places across North America, and Canada didn't just do well — it absolutely dominated.
Five out of the top six spots in the ranking went to Canadian towns, beating out even the most serene small towns in the U.S. and all but proving Canada's dominance when it comes to being chill and laid-back.
The list includes picturesque locations known for their natural beauty, low population density and chill vibes — making them some of the best places to visit in Canada if you're craving peace and quiet.
To put the ranking together, Betway looked at four peacefulness-related factors: air quality, population density, and search volume data related to spas and overall noise. Cities with cleaner air, fewer people, more spa interest and less noise-related stress scored higher — and Canada's serene towns checked all those boxes.
Coming in first place was Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. While it didn't score first in any one metric, Betway says its "strong performance across the board is the main reason why it took top spot."
This dreamy little town nestled between mountains and the St. Lawrence River in Quebec's scenic Charlevoix region earned a score of 72.78 out of 100. It has an average air quality index (AQI) of 27 and a population density of just 35 people per square mile — making it perfect for a quiet escape.
Close behind in second place was Jasper, Alberta, with a score of 70.41. Surrounded by glacier-fed lakes and the Rocky Mountains, Jasper had one of the best AQIs (26) and a population density of just 13 people per square mile — basically, you and the wildlife.
Third place went to Tofino, British Columbia — the iconic peaceful surf town on Vancouver Island — followed by Killarney, Ontario, another scenic gem on the water.
The highest-ranking American town was Woodstock, New York, at fifth place, known for its artsy charm and surprisingly peaceful surroundings despite its famous festival roots.
But sixth place circled back to Canada with Ucluelet, B.C. — Tofino's even more laid-back little sibling — proving that Canada's West Coast really knows how to keep things chill.
Here's the full top 10 list of the most peaceful places in North America, according to Betway:
- Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec — 72.78
- Jasper, Alberta — 70.41
- Tofino, B.C. — 69.86
- Killarney, Ontario — 69.57
- Woodstock, New York — 68.17
- Ucluelet, B.C. — 68.01
- Bar Harbor, Maine — 67.04
- Bluff, Utah — 65.78
- Truth or Consequences, New Mexico — 64.28
- North Conway, New Hampshire — 64.15
So whether you're daydreaming about where to move next or just want to know how your hometown stacks up, Canada's peaceful small towns are definitely holding their own — and then some. From Quebec to B.C., the data clearly shows you're more likely to find your zen north of the border.
Love this? Check out our Narcity noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!
AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
