100 Mile House (One Hundred Mile House), Canada

Living costs are surprisingly low in this remote British Columbia outpost, but recent sawmill closures have rattled the local economy. This former gold rush stopover, now home to just 1,928 residents spread across 53 square kilometers, serves as the main hub for about 20,000 people in the South Cariboo region.

Originally a simple roadhouse 100 miles from Lillooet on the Cariboo Gold Rush trail, the town has evolved into a working-class community heavily dependent on forestry and ranching. The 2025 closure of its last sawmill signals serious economic challenges ahead. The population has barely budged since 2016, growing just 0.5%, while religious demographics show a notably secular population with 58% reporting no religious affiliation.

Despite economic headwinds, outdoor recreation drives a modest tourism sector. The surrounding area offers hundreds of lakes for fishing and boating, while winter brings cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Transportation options are limited since Greyhound's departure in 2013, though regional transit and twice-weekly Adventure Charters buses provide basic connectivity to larger centers. The nearest major city, Vancouver, lies 456 km south.