Is Vancouver a good place to live?
How each score is calculated: CostiAffordability, 0–100. Higher = cheaper. = 100 − (country price level vs US × a city-size premium). Source: World Bank PPP ÷ exchange rate (US = 100). · ClimateiComfort, 0–100, from WorldClim monthly temperatures. Penalises hot summers (above ~24°C), cold winters (below ~6°C) and too-cool summers (below 15°C). Higher = milder. · Safetyi0–100. Higher = safer. Blends 55% natural-disaster safety (8 hazards — earthquake from real USGS records, plus flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and 45% crime safety (homicide rate). · LivabilityiOverall score, 0–100 = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety. (hover the i)
- Livability — overall score = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety.
- Cost — affordability vs the United States (100 = US prices). Higher = cheaper to live.
- Climate — year-round comfort; penalises extreme summer heat, harsh winters and chilly summers.
- Safety — combined natural-disaster exposure (earthquake, flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and crime (homicide rate). Higher = safer.
- Hazard tiers — each disaster type is rated 1 (very low risk) to 5 (very high risk).
Natural-disaster risk in Vancouver
Is Vancouver at risk of earthquakes?
Earthquake risk in Vancouver is high (4/5). USGS records 40 magnitude-4.5+ earthquakes within 300 km since 1980.
Is Vancouver at risk of wildfires?
Wildfire risk in Vancouver is moderate (3/5), based on regional fire-weather exposure.
FAQ
Is Vancouver a good place to live?
Vancouver scores 61/100 for livability — cost 22, climate 94, safety 72.
Is Vancouver safe?
Safety 72/100 = disaster safety 58 (main risk earthquake) blended with crime safety 94 (homicide ~2.0/100k).
What's the climate like in Vancouver?
Warmest-month highs average ~18.5°C and coldest-month lows ~3.4°C (WorldClim climate normals).
How much does it cost to live in Vancouver?
Canada sits at 78/100 on the World Bank price level (US=100) — affordability score 22/100.