Cheapest Places to Live in Nova Scotia with the Best Quality of Life - 2022
- Last updated on: March 8, 2022
Nova Scotia is one of the Maritime and Atlantic provinces in Canada. With stunning offshore islands, gorgeous beaches, and charming waterfront cities, you won’t be disappointed with the beauty of the province. Living in Nova Scotia is definitely cheaper compared to other provinces in Canada like Ontario or British Columbia. However, if you are looking to maximize your money, here are some of the cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia! These places were chosen based on their quality of life, access to essential facilities nearby and the average house and apartment prices.
Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Nova Scotia
1. Trenton
Trenton is situated on the east bank of the East River of Pictou in Pictou County. Trenton Park is one of Nova Scotia’s best parks. With 6.5 km of walking and hiking trails and 565 acres of century-old trees, you won’t be disappointed. The average home price in Trenton is around 124,586$ making it 81% lower than the Canadian average. This city is one of the cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Trenton is 664$ per month.
Trenton, Nova Scotia
2. Sydney
The city of Sydney is on Cape Breton Island, making it the perfect city to live in if you want to be near the ocean. All the major attractions of the Island like the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum are also close to the city. As the largest urban area on the Island, you won’t be disappointed by the number of shops and activities to do. If you plan to live in the area, the average home price in Sydney is around 135,712$. As for an apartment, the average price of rent in Sydney is 813$ per month.
Sydney, Nova Scotia
3. Amherst
This town is also ideal if you need to cross the border regularly for work. Amherst is centrally located to both the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Shore, making it an ideal city if you like to admire the tides or if you like to swim in some of Nova Scotia’s warmest beaches. Moreover, Amherst is a good city to live in if you have family or friends in New Brunswick as it is located near the border between the two provinces. The average home price in Amherst is 162,281$, making it one of the cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia. If you are looking for an apartment, the price of rent can get as low as 850$ for an apartment in Amherst with one bedroom.
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Amherst, Nova Scotia
4. Yarmouth
Yarmouth is a town situated in southwestern Nova Scotia. People living in Yarmouth enjoy taking a walk in Broad Brook Wetland Park. You may also be able to see some local animals off the trails. The region is also known for some of the best locations for stargazing and clearest skies on the continent. The average home price in Yarmouth is 187,658$. For a three-bedroom apartment in Yarmouth, the rent can get as low as $850 per month.
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Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
5. Bridgewater
The city of Bridgewater is a city in Lunenburg County. The city is great for young families because it is home to many amenities, including excellent schools. If you and your family love water activities, Bridgewater is a perfect city as it is near a river and one of the cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia. Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and sailing are part of the activities you can do on the LaHave River. The average home price in Bridgewater is 191,612$. For a one-bedroom apartment in Bridgewater, the price is around 804$ .
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
6. New Glasgow
New Glasgow is the biggest city in Pictou County. Founded by Scottish immigrants, the city is known for its Glasgow Square Theatre and its warm-water beaches. Melmerby Beach Provincial Park is only 20 minutes away from the city. This is one of the favorite beaches of people in Nova Scotia. Buying a house in New Glasgow is approximately 202,236$. For a one-bedroom apartment in New Glasgow, the rent is around 821$ per month.
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
7. Truro
With its Victorian and vernacular architecture of the 19th and early 20th century, Truro is located on the south side of the Salmon River floodplain in the center of Nova Scotia. Local shopping like the Nova Scotia Emporium and Stanfield’s Factory Outlet are some of the most popular destinations on Inglis Street. Plenty of specialty shops can be found on this street. If you are a nature lover, you can escape the city by taking a walk in Victoria Park situated in the center of the city. You can expect to buy a house in Truro at an average price of 211,353$. As for an apartment, the average rent in Truro is 910$ per month.
Truro, Nova Scotia
8. Windsor
Windsor is in Hants County. The city is known for being the birthplace of hockey in Canada. It is also known for having the world’s largest pumpkins and the oldest agricultural fairs in North America. The average price for a house in Windsor is 226,478$. For a one-bedroom apartment in Windsor, the rent is around 750$ per month.
Windsor, Nova Scotia
9. Lunenburg
The Old Town Lunenburg is one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is known for its colorful colonial architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. With around 25,000 people living in Lunenburg, it is beyond doubt less populated compared to Halifax, but you won’t be disappointed with the number of things to do in the city. Therefore, this is one of cheapest places to live if you are looking for good amenities, affordable housing and a great quality of life in Nova Scotia. The average price for a house in Lunenburg is 239,779$. You can also rent an apartment in Lunenburg for 895$ per month.
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Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
10. Lower Sackville
Lastly, one of the cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia is Lower Sackville. Lower Sackville is a 23 minutes’ drive from Halifax. The average price for a house in Lower Sackville is cheaper compared to Halifax as it is approximately 261,841$. You can also find an apartment in Lower Sackville for 920$ per month. It is the perfect place to live if you work in the city and still want to enjoy all the advantages of the city while enjoying the quiet side of the suburbs.
(*AreaVibes & Kijiji)
Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Affordable Housing Options in Nova Scotia
Even though Nova Scotia is one of the cheapest provinces in Canada, you might want to know other affordable housing options. For other cheap ways to live and avoid breaking the bank, check out the affordable housing options below.
Tiny Houses in Nova Scotia
Tiny houses are small houses of around 400 sq ft. that are usually on wheels so they can easily be parked and transported. A tiny house can cost anywhere from $10 000 to $150 000 depending on who built it, the materials used and how big it is. Just like in the rest of Canada, it’s nearly impossible to find a legal place to park a tiny house full-time in Nova Scotia. Advocates are pushing to create more tiny house communities across Nova Scotia so that people can call their tiny houses their primary residences.
Tiny house communities and movements in Nova Scotia:
Getting Roommates in Nova Scotia
Even if housing in Nova Scotia is a lot cheaper compared to other provinces, getting roommates is a wonderful way to reduce your housing costs each month. Students in Nova Scotia mostly get roommates so they can be near their university without having to overspend on their rent or travel from far.
First-Time Home Buyer Incentive in Nova Scotia
The First Time Home Buyer Incentive was initiated in 2019 by the Canadian Government to help home buyers afford the down payment on their first home.
The type of property you want to buy determines the amount that the government will help you with.
- 5% of the purchase price of an existing or mobile home.
- 5% or 10% of the purchase price of a newly constructed home.
You’ll have to repay the incentive within 25 years and there is no interest attached to it.
How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in Nova Scotia?
Mortgages given to you by a bank depend on the amount of money you earn, debts incurred, and your general living expenses. The higher the mortgage you can afford, the more expensive a home you can afford to purchase.
Homes are generally inexpensive in Nova Scotia. However, you might want to find out how much mortgage you can afford with this Mortgage Calculator Tool based on your household income, debts, and down payment amount.
Household Income before taxes, no debts | Down Payment | Maximum Mortgage You Can Afford in Nova Scotia |
$45,000 | $30,000 | $192,987 |
$55,000 | $40,000 | $244,022 |
$65,000 | $50,000 | $295,058 |
Conclusion
Nova Scotia is home to many beaches and parks, making it perfect for nature lovers. With this list of the 10 cheapest places to live in Nova Scotia, you should be able to make a choice after determining what type of housing you can afford based on your income and lifestyle. If you are moving to Nova Scotia soon, you might also want to check out the best moving companies in Halifax and the surrounding areas.
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