Canada Housing Market

Vancouver has been named one of the most walkable cities in the world.

According to Time Out’s 2026 ranking of the world’s most walkable cities, Vancouver placed 17th globally with a walkability score of 78%. It was also the only Canadian city to make the global list. 

The ranking was based on how locals rated their city’s walkability, including whether they described it as “good” or “amazing.” 

Vancouver Ranked 17th In The World

Time Out’s 2026 list placed Vancouver behind cities including Seoul, Edinburgh, New York, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, Singapore, Helsinki, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Taipei.

Seoul ranked first overall, with 93% of locals rating the city’s walkability positively. Vancouver ranked 17th with 78%. 

That puts Vancouver ahead of cities like Macau, Melbourne, and Munich on the global list.

Vancouver Is Canada’s Most Walkable Large City

Walk Score also ranks Vancouver as the most walkable large city in Canada.

According to Walk Score, Vancouver has an average Walk Score of 80, meaning many errands can be done on foot. The site also notes that Vancouver has excellent public transportation and is very bikeable. 

That is a major advantage in a city where housing, transportation, and lifestyle costs are already under pressure.

For many residents, living in a walkable neighbourhood can reduce the need for a car, make daily errands easier, and improve access to transit, shops, parks, and services.

Some Vancouver Neighbourhoods Score Even Higher

Walkability varies by neighbourhood, and some parts of Vancouver score much higher than the citywide average.

Walk Score lists the West End as one of Vancouver’s most walkable neighbourhoods, with a Walk Score of 95. 

Other central neighbourhoods, including Yaletown and Downtown Vancouver, are also known for high walkability because of their mix of condos, restaurants, transit access, shops, waterfront paths, and nearby services.

The City of Vancouver also highlights walking as a key part of how people move around the city, noting that every trip starts and ends on foot. The city has installed more than 200 wayfinding map stands to help people walk to nearby attractions, transit connections, public toilets, drinking fountains, and other amenities. 

Why Walkability Matters For Real Estate

Walkability is more than a lifestyle perk.

In expensive housing markets, it can directly affect what buyers and renters value.

Neighbourhoods with strong walkability often appeal to people who want to live close to work, transit, grocery stores, restaurants, parks, and entertainment. That can make certain areas more desirable, especially for condo buyers, renters, young professionals, downsizers, and people who prefer not to rely on a car.

In Vancouver, that demand is especially important because the city already has some of the highest housing costs in Canada.

Walkable neighbourhoods may continue to attract interest, even as affordability remains a major challenge.

What This Signals For Vancouver

Vancouver’s global walkability ranking adds to the city’s reputation as one of Canada’s most livable urban markets.

The city’s mix of dense neighbourhoods, waterfront paths, transit access, and central amenities continues to make it stand out.

For the housing market, this means walkability will likely remain a major selling point.

But it also creates pressure.

If more buyers and renters want to live in the most walkable parts of Vancouver, demand could remain concentrated in already-expensive neighbourhoods like the West End, Downtown, and Yaletown.

Vancouver may be Canada’s most walkable city, but for many residents, the bigger question is whether they can afford to live in the areas where that walkable lifestyle is easiest.

References

Time Out. (2026, April 21). This is the world’s most walkable city in 2026, according to Time Out’s survey.
https://www.timeout.com/

Walk Score. (2026). Vancouver, BC walk score.
https://www.walkscore.com/score/vancouver-bc-canada

City of Vancouver. (2026). Walking in Vancouver.
https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/walking.aspx