A new national study has positioned Edmonton as a standout Canadian city where homeowners get exceptional happiness value for their real estate investment.
Happiness Meets Housing Affordability
The report, conducted by realty firm Zoocasa and released in November 2025, analyzed data from the 2025 Leger Happiness Index. This index scores Canadian cities on a scale of 0 to 100 based on resident well-being. Edmonton secured a strong seventh-place position among major municipalities with a score of 66.3.
Zoocasa took the analysis a step further by calculating a price per happiness point. This was done by dividing each city's average home price by its Leger happiness score. Edmonton's result was remarkably low, with a cost of just $6,289 per point, based on an average home price of $417,000.
How Edmonton Compares to Other Cities
This figure placed Edmonton as having the second-lowest cost per happiness point among the ten markets studied. Only Winnipeg scored slightly better on cost, with a price of $5,790 per point, though it also had a marginally lower happiness score of 65.9.
The contrast with other major cities is stark. Montreal, which ranked as Canada's second-happiest city with a score of 69.4, had a price per point of $8,343. The situation was even more pronounced in Mississauga, Ontario, which topped the happiness chart with a score of 70.3. However, with an average home price of $969,501, the cost per happiness point soared to $13,788.
Affordability as a Cornerstone of Contentment
Angela Serednicki, the author of the Zoocasa report, directly linked Edmonton's performance to its market conditions. "Edmonton stands out as one of Canada’s most affordable, fastest-growing cities, offering some of the best happiness value for the price of housing," she stated.
This sentiment is echoed by local real estate professionals. Edmonton realtor Ed Lastiwka emphasized that financial comfort is a critical component of homeowner happiness. "Not having to worry about money month to month is a big stress reliever," he explained, noting that he often advises buyers, especially first-timers, against overextending themselves financially.
Edmonton's real estate market has been one of the country's hottest over the past year. While other major cities saw price declines, Edmonton's market continued to climb. Recent data from October shows the average home price rose 3 per cent year-over-year to reach $454,777. Despite these gains, the city maintains its significant affordability advantage, making it a compelling destination for those seeking both value and quality of life.
