Lowest Poverty in British Columbia

Top 89 cities ranked by lowest poverty

Best Cities For...

Composite rankings combining multiple weighted metrics, 5 topics across U.S. Census, FBI, NOAA and CDC data.

Best Cities for Retirees

Low crime, warm climate, affordable cost of living and strong healthcare access.

Best Cities for Remote Workers

Strong broadband, affordable rent, low traffic and existing remote-work culture.

Best Cities for Families

Strong schools, low crime, affordable homes and family-friendly commutes.

Best Cities for Young Professionals

High incomes, educated peers, transit access and an under-35 demographic.

Most Affordable Cities

The lowest cost of living across home prices, rent, services and rent burden.

Population & Density

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Economy

Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Wages

Housing

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Demographics & Education

Most Educated Most Graduate Degrees Youngest Cities Oldest Cities

Climate & Air

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Quality of Life

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Geography & Infrastructure

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All Countries · Canada · British Columbia

Lowest Poverty - British Columbia

1 North Saanich 4.8%

2 Colwood 4.9%

3 Coldstream 5.2%

4 Kitimat 5.4%

5 Central Saanich 5.5%

6 View Royal 6.1%

7 Fernie 6.1%

8 Squamish 6.3%

9 Pitt Meadows 6.5%

10 Peace River C 6.6%

11 Metchosin 6.6%

12 Revelstoke 6.7%

13 East Kootenay C 6.7%

14 Langford 6.8%

15 Whistler 6.8%

16 Maple Ridge 6.9%

17 Delta 6.9%

18 West Kelowna 7.0%

19 Port Moody 7.0%

20 Cowichan Valley B 7.3%

21 Port Coquitlam 7.4%

22 Cowichan Valley C 7.5%

23 Bulkley-Nechako A 7.8%

24 Nanaimo G 7.8%

25 Nanaimo E 7.9%

26 Oak Bay 8.0%

27 Smithers 8.0%

28 Summerland 8.1%

29 Fort St. John 8.1%

30 Sidney 8.1%

31 Sooke 8.2%

32 Saanich 8.2%

33 Lake Country 8.2%

34 Ladysmith 8.3%

35 Abbotsford 8.3%

36 Comox Valley B 8.6%

37 Kimberley 8.7%

38 Nanaimo A 8.7%

39 Surrey 8.8%

40 Tsinstikeptum 10 9.0%

41 Prince George 9.0%

42 Cranbrook 9.1%

43 Qualicum Beach 9.2%

44 Terrace 9.3%

45 Prince Rupert 9.5%

46 Armstrong 9.8%

47 Chilliwack 9.9%

48 Peachland 9.9%

49 North Cowichan 10.0%

50 Kelowna 10.1%

51 Comox Valley C 10.1%

52 New Westminster 10.1%

53 Castlegar 10.3%

54 Cariboo A 10.5%

55 Salmon Arm 10.7%

56 Langley 10.9%

57 Nanaimo 11.1%

58 North Vancouver 11.1%

59 Vernon 11.3%

60 Trail 11.3%

61 Parksville 11.4%

62 Kent 11.4%

63 Courtenay 11.4%

64 Dawson Creek 11.5%

65 Oliver 11.6%

66 Nelson 11.6%

67 Spallumcheen 11.7%

68 Columbia-Shuswap C 11.8%

69 Powell River 12.6%

70 Peace River B 12.8%

71 White Rock 12.8%

72 Victoria 13.1%

73 Vancouver 13.2%

74 Burnaby 13.5%

75 Saltspring Island 13.7%

76 Merritt 14.0%

77 Garden City 14.1%

78 Hope 14.3%

79 Comox Valley A 14.4%

80 Port Alberni 14.6%

81 Nanaimo F 15.0%

82 West Vancouver 15.4%

83 Southern Gulf Islands 15.9%

84 Richmond 15.9%

85 Strathcona 17.4%

86 Duncan 20.1%

87 Central Kootenay H 21.6%

88 Cariboo 25.6%

89 Metro Vancouver A 30.0%

Cities with the lowest poverty rates in British Columbia demonstrate strong economic conditions where most residents have adequate financial resources. North Saanich has a poverty rate of just 4.8%.

Low poverty rates typically reflect a combination of strong job markets, educated populations, and higher wage levels. These communities often feature well-funded public services, good school systems, and active civic engagement.

While low poverty rates are encouraging, some of these cities maintain their statistics partly through high costs of living that effectively price out lower-income residents, raising questions about housing equity and economic diversity.

Did You Know?

1. Only 4.8% of residents in North Saanich live below the poverty line.
2. The federal poverty line for a family of four is approximately $31,200 per year (2024).
3. Cities with the lowest poverty rates tend to also rank high in education, income, and safety metrics.

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