8 Best Places To Live In The Canadian Prairies In 2025
Would you like to experience the true beauty of Canada? Surround yourself with stunning natural landscapes featuring magnificent mountains and pristine lakes in the Prairies. Between the world-famous parks of Alberta, the legendary dancing skies of Saskatchewan, and the lively festivals of Manitoba, you will have plenty of activities to keep you occupied.
Plus, with culture-filled city centers, various employment opportunities, nationally ranked universities, sunny days, a refreshing change of temperatures between the seasons, quality healthcare facilities, fewer crowds compared to the East Coast, and some of the most affordable living prices in Canada, life here can be incredible. From quiet towns to provincial hotspots, explore the eight best places to live in the Canadian Prairies in 2025 today!
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Considered to be one of the most affordable cities in Alberta, Medicine Hat offers the perfect mix of entertainment and feasibility. The average home price was $359,974 CAD (as per WOWA in February 2025), compared to the provincial average of $509,468 CAD. Between the swimming, boating, camping, wildlife, hiking, and biking opportunities in the beautiful Echo Dale Regional Park and the picturesque paved trails, picnic spots, exquisite bluffs, and river views of Police Point Park, Medicine Hat is a wonderful city for lovers of the outdoors and retirees.
With an average of 330 days of sunshine per year, this is one of the sunniest cities in Canada. For city lovers, the downtown area is incredibly charming. Quaint cafes, historic structures, and arts and heritage centers are accessible by foot. Regarding healthcare, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital provides comprehensive medical services in town along with a 24/7 emergency department.
Oak Bluff, Manitoba
Another excellent place to live in the Canadian Prairies is Oak Bluff. Families, retirees, and those generally seeking a quieter pace of life will love it here. Reside in a serene, small Manitoba town with stunning wetlands, vibrant wildflowers, and a network of trails. You will feel a strong sense of community surrounded by warm and welcoming neighbors. Oak Bluff Community School is in town, open for Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Winnipeg, Manitoba’s vibrant capital, is under 30 minutes away. You can reach The University of Winnipeg, where the class sizes are small, and there is a wide range of degree options. It is one of the 15 Best Undergraduate Universities in Canada, according to Macleans in 2025. Employment opportunities are also available in the city; its three largest industries are healthcare and social assistance, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing. For those concerned about ongoing health issues, you can easily access three of Canada’s 45 best hospitals from here, including Grace Hospital, about 15 miles from Oak Bluff.
St. Albert, Alberta
Only minutes from Edmonton, you will find St. Albert. While having access to Edmonton’s major city amenities (including the nationally ranked Royal Alexandra Hospital) will be quite convenient, it is not necessary. St. Albert is a vibrant city with plenty to offer on its own. From Sturgeon Community Hospital, with its 24/7 emergency department and comprehensive medical services, to outdoor oases like the wildlife-filled Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, you can enjoy suburban life in a scenic destination with urban amenities and a strong sense of community.
With a crime rate of around 59 per 1,000 residents in 2023, compared to the provincial rate of 83 (as per Statistics Canada in 2023), St. Albert is also one of the safest cities in Alberta. This is a wonderful city to call home if you are looking to raise a family or spend your golden years somewhere scenic and secure.
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Within 50 minutes of Saskatchewan’s capital, you will find Moose Jaw, one of the best places to live in the Canadian Prairies in 2025. This captivating city is perfect for young professionals seeking a small-town vibe in a growing city of approximately 35,000 residents. Various employment opportunities are available here, the key economic sectors being healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and accommodation and food services.
The median home listing price was $222,298 CAD in March 2025, according to Houseful.ca, making this a very affordable destination to call home. There are restaurants, bars, and taverns for nightlife and scenic areas to explore during the day, such as Wakamow Valley and Crescent Park.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Named one of the best university towns in Canada by Preply in 2022, Prince Albert ranked fourth place. The study was conducted based on three categories. These include budget-friendliness, social environment, and economic opportunities, and the third ranges from various factors, such as crime rates to the cost of living. Several post-secondary schools, such as Saskatchewan Polytechnic and First Nations University of Canada, have campuses in the city or local towns that are easily accessible from here.
Lake Country is only minutes away; renting a cottage is a wonderful way to unwind in the summer or plan a mini Saskatchewan getaway over the weekend.
Brandon, Manitoba
As Manitoba’s second-largest city, you can find a world of amenities in Brandon. Key industries include metal manufacturing, healthcare, chemical processing, food and agriculture, transportation, and the Canadian Forces Base Shilo. Brandon has a strong, well-educated, and rural-rooted workforce. The unemployment rate here was only 4.8% in January 2025, below the provincial average of 6.1% that month (Statistics Canada).
Aside from employment opportunities, Brandon was also mentioned on Nesto’s “Canadian cities with declining home prices list” in 2025, at a rate of 5.3%. Plus, with major amenities like The Keystone Centre in town, where sports games, entertainment events, exhibitions, fairs, and conferences are held, this is a wonderful city for young professionals to find work and purchase a home.
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Soak up the scenery of The Sunshine Province in Sylvan Lake, one of the eight best places to live in the Canadian Prairies. Between the picturesque vistas of Sylvan Lake Park, the rejuvenating baths, body treatments, and massage services of Sylvan Steam & Spa, and the lovely course of the nearby Lakewood Golf Resort, you will have plenty to keep you occupied. The Sylvan Lake Seniors Centre invites residents to participate in special events and services, including lunches, Christmas parties, healthcare talks, and art classes. Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre offers Advanced Ambulatory Care in town.
Nearby, Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre has a 24/7 emergency department and offers comprehensive medical services, including specialized geriatrics for those 65 years and older. It is a huge convenience to be able to access Red Deer, one of Alberta's biggest cities, in under 25 minutes.
Steinbach, Manitoba
Welcome to Steinbach, where a strong sense of community and small-town atmosphere mix with all the city amenities you will need. This cozy city is a wonderful place to raise a family, with affordable housing rates, a fast-growing economy, and being within an hour of Manitoba’s capital. A wide range of schools are in town, from Steinbach Regional Secondary to Southwood Elementary, Stonybrook Middle School, and Steinbach Bible College.
Plus, you can find fun amenities for the adults and kids in town. Places like the beautiful A.D. Penner Park, Steinbach’s local Aquatic Centre, and the scenic Fly-In Golf Club are located here. Bethesda Regional Health Centre is also in town, offering Emergency, Obstetrics, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, Cancer Care, and many other services.
Between the eye-catching landscapes of Alberta, the serene small towns of Manitoba, and the hidden wonders of Saskatchewan, the Prairies are filled with incredible places to call home. Ditch the major metropolitan crowds and escape to a destination where the crowds are fewer, the locals are welcoming, and the days are bright and sunny. Whether you are looking to raise a family, devote time to your education, looking for the perfect place to spend your golden years, or are a young professional, consider the eight best places to live in the Canadian Prairies in 2025. You will not be disappointed. From Medicine Hat to Steinbach, pick the destination that works best for your lifestyle.
