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Home Daily Living Top 10 Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada with the Best quality of life – 2023

Top 10 Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: January 31, 2023

All Canadian provinces have plenty of job opportunities and stunning nature views. People from all around the world seek to settle in Canada for its economic stability. Canada is also known for its safe cities with a high quality of life. It is also one of the safest countries in the world where people can be who they are. However, at MovingWaldo we understand that with the home prices rising all around Canada, you might be looking for ways to maximize your money. Here is a list of the cheapest to the most expensive provinces to live in Canada in 2023!

Methodology

Based on their average cost of living, the following Canadian provinces were classed from least expensive to most expensive in 2023.

MovingWaldo's list of the Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada

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1. Newfoundland and Labrador

Welcoming and friendly province

Newfoundland and Labrador is the most easterly province of Canada. Even if Canada has the reputation of being welcoming and friendly, it is particularly true for Newfoundland and Labrador. Maclean’s magazine classifies the province as one of the top 10 friendliest cultures in the world. Isolated from the rest of the world for many decades, there are more varieties of English spoken in the province from the rest of the world.

If you are passionate about art, you will be glad to know that the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest concentrations of artists. You will find many writers, actors, musicians, and comedians in St. John’s. The province also has some amazing landscape and beaches.

Cost of Living in Newfoundland and Labrador

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$299,950
Apartment rent price	$783
Home insurance	$60
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$70
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$248.88
Car insurance	$97.3
Gym membership	$65
Cost of electricity and water	$100
Total *Excluding house price	$1,324

(*Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland Power Inc.,Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Newfoundland and Labrador

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2. New Brunswick

Full of opportunities

New Brunswick is a beautiful Maritime province replete with rivers, mountains, pine forests, and the glorious Bay of Fundy where travelers from around the world enjoy whale-watching. It has several cities brimming with opportunities and is an overall wonderful place to settle into. Nurses, physicians and delivery and courier drivers are the most in demand jobs in New Brunswick. New Brunswick is also a bilingual province. Cities such as Edmundston have a high percentage of their population who speak French as a first language.

Cost of Living in New Brunswick

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$292,744
Apartment rent price	$1081
Home insurance	$60
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$70
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$240.69
Car insurance	$72.25
Gym membership	$62
Cost of electricity and water	$169.21
Total *Excluding house price	$1,755.15

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Global News, New Canadian Life, Numbeo, StatCan)

New Brunswick

3. Saskatchewan

Great opportunities for nurses and physicians

Saskatchewan is a gorgeous province in Canada that’s covered with grasslands, coniferous forests, rivers, lakes, and charming small towns. Nurses, physicians and delivery and courier drivers are the most in demand jobs in Saskatchewan. You can even find sand dunes in the north of the province. If you like the sun, the capital of Saskatchewan is a perfect city for you as it is the sunniest capital in Canada. Like other provincial capitals of the country, you will find plenty of recreational facilities, cultural centers, and activities to do in Regina.

Cost of Living in Saskatchewan

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$321,000
Apartment rent price	$937.50
Home insurance	$90
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$76
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$232.32
Car insurance	$102.9
Gym membership	$44
Cost of electricity and water	$224
Total *Excluding house price	$1,706.72

(*City of Regina, MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Saskatchewan

4. Manitoba

Great job opportunities

Situated in the middle of the country, Manitoba is replete with lakes, rivers, mountains, and prairie. Consequently, it is often referred to as one of Canada’s three prairie provinces. The most in-demand jobs in Manitoba are administrative assistants, postal workers, and information system analysts. The province also has one of Canada’s strongest and most diversified economies. It is also known for the high quality of their free public health care and school systems.

Cost of Living in Manitoba

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$355,498
Apartment rent price	$1,136.75
Home insurance	$143
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$80
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$227.73
Car insurance	$95
Gym membership	$55
Cost of electricity and water	$166
Total *Excluding house price	$1,903.48

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, MovingWaldo 3, Immigrate Manitoba, WOWA.ca, Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Global News, Numbeo)

Manitoba

5. Nova Scotia

Impressive islands and beaches

Nova Scotia is situated in Eastern Canada. With stunning offshore islands, gorgeous beaches, and charming waterfront cities, you won’t be disappointed with the beauty of the province. If you love being near the ocean, the province is perfect for you. The cost of Nova Scotia’s capital is very affordable. For a one-bedroom apartment in Halifax you can expect to pay around $1312 while in Vancouver you would have to pay around $2039.

Cost of Living in Nova Scotia

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$367,104
Apartment rent price	$1312
Home insurance	$65
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$90
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$268.35
Car insurance	$72.25
Gym membership	$55
Cost of electricity and water	$230
Total *Excluding house price	$2,107.60

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, MovingWaldo 3, MovingWaldo 4, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Global News, Numbeo1, Numbeo 2)

Nova Scotia

6. Prince Edward Island

Best for the outdoorsy

Prince Edward Island is one of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Known for its gorgeous sandy beaches, you will never get tired of the beauty of the province. With the warm waters of Gulf of St. Lawrence, you can expect a water temperature of 20°C in July and August making it perfect to swim. If you love bicycling, Prince Edward Island is perfect for you. The Confederation Trail is perfect for bikers of all levels. Although it is one of the cheapest provinces to live in Canada, if you love the vibe of big cosmopolitan cities, it might not be a wise choice to choose Prince Edward Island. It is one of Canada’s most rural provinces.

Cost of Living in Prince Edward Island

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$389,000
Apartment rent price	$1065.71
Home insurance	$65
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$70
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$302.13
Car insurance	$68
Gym membership	$48
Cost of electricity and water	$232
Total *Excluding house price	$1,850.84

(*Adventures, MovingWaldo, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Global News, Numbeo)

Prince Edward Island

7. Alberta

Best in administrative job opportunities

Alberta is the westernmost province of Canada’s three Prairie provinces. Its landscape primarily comprises mountain ranges, coniferous forests, prairies, and over 600 lakes. The most in-demand jobs in Alberta are truck drivers, administrative assistants, and receptionists. Two of its cities, Edmonton and Calgary, rank in the top 5 cheapest big cities to live in Canada. On average, they both boast of house resale values of less than $500,000 compared to cities like Toronto and Vancouver with average prices of $1.24 million.

Cost of Living in Alberta

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$422,709
Apartment rent price	$1,011.20
Home insurance	$150
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$80
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$225.09
Car insurance	$109.66
Gym membership	$55
Cost of gas and water	$233
Total *Excluding house price	$1,863.95

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, MovingWaldo 3, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, WOWA.ca, Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Check Out the Cheapest Places to Live in Alberta

Alberta

8. Quebec

Low costs for higher education

If you are looking for a province where you can speak French, Quebec is the perfect province for you! Even if you can find around 10% of English speakers in the province, being able to speak French is a tremendous asset if you are looking for a job. Many cities in the province have a European influence. The province has very cold winters and warm summers. Nonetheless, there are plenty of activities to do in Quebec. The province also hosts many festivals all year round.

Tuition costs for higher education are also incredibly low for residents of Quebec. Between high school and university, students can study in a CEGEP for around $200 per semester. As for university, the tuition is about $4200 per year. Montreal is also known for having great career opportunities in high-tech (particularly cybersecurity and AI), financial services/fintech, live sciences/healthcare technologies, and fashion/retail businesses. A large number of software and fintech firms can be found in the province.

Cost of Living in Quebec

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$560,074
Apartment rent price	$1,079.62
Home insurance	$66
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$65
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$260.73
Car insurance	$81
Gym membership	$35
Cost of electricity and water	$216
Total *Excluding house price	$1,803.35

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, WOWA.ca, Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, Statista, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Quebec

9. Ontario

Cultural value and thriving economy

Ontario is home to some of Canada’s most popular destinations including the metropolitan city of Toronto, the Niagara Falls, and Canada’s capital Ottawa. However, it is also one of the most expensive provinces to live in Canada. To compensate, you can expect higher salaries in cities such as Toronto, but the overall cost of living is still extremely high. Ontario is also the most populous province in all of Canada. That’s because people from all over the world flock to Ontario because of the cultural value of its big cities and its thriving economy.

Cost of Living in Ontario

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$829,934
Apartment rent price	$1,929.46
Home insurance	$215
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$80
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$233.61
Car insurance	$155
Gym membership	$55
Cost of electricity and water	$158.85
Total *Excluding house price	$2,826.92

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Check Out the Cheapest Places to Live in Ontario

Ontario

10. British Columbia

Best for adventurers who love nature

Even if it is one of the most expensive provinces to live in Canada, British Columbia has a lot to offer. If you are a nature lover, British Columbia is the perfect province for you. From the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, you won’t be disappointed by the beauty of the provinces. If you love skiing, you will be glad to know that you can even ski during summertime in British Columbia in Whistler.

British Columbia is the first province in Canada to provide students with a globally recognized seal of quality for post-secondary education. With this seal of quality known as the Education Quality Assurance (EQA), you can be sure that the quality of education is elevated.

Cost of Living in British Columbia

*non-family household

Category	Average cost *Monthly costs exclude house price
House price	$904,020
Apartment rent price	$2,039.58
Home insurance	$149
Cell phone plan *Unlimited talk, text and data included	$80
Groceries *Numbeo comestible items x 3	$276.75
Car insurance	$101
Gym membership	$55
Cost of electricity and water	$186
Total *Excluding house price	$2,887.33

(*MovingWaldo 1, MovingWaldo 2, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Canada Buzz, ratehub.ca, LowestRates, Numbeo)

Check Out the Cheapest Places to Live in British Columbia

British Columbia

Affordable Housing Options in Canada

Even though we’ve looked at some of the cheapest places to live in Canada, you might want to know other affordable housing options. To avoid breaking the bank, check out the affordable housing options below.

Tiny Houses in Canada

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. However, it is nearly impossible to find a legal place to park a tiny house full-time in Canada. Advocates are pushing to create more tiny house communities across Canada so that people can call their tiny houses their primary residences.

Some of the tiny house communities and movements in Canada:

Getting Roommates in Canada

Depending on which provinces you are living in, rent can be expensive if you live on a tight budget. The rent price is particularly high in British Columbia and Ontario. Getting roommates is a wonderful way to reduce your housing costs each month. Students in Canada mostly get roommates so they can be near their university without having to overspend on their rent or travel far.

First-Time Home Buyer Incentive in Canada

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 Canada?

Mortgages given to you by a bank depend on the amount of money you earn, debts incurred, and your general living expenses. The higher mortgage you can afford, the more expensive a home you can afford to purchase.

The price of homes can vary depending on which province you are living in Canada. 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 Canada
$45,000	$30,000	$192,987
$55,000	$40,000	$244,022
$65,000	$50,000	$295,058

Why Do People Move to Canada?

People move to Canada for the following reasons:

Stunning nature views
Low crime rates
Employment and investment opportunities
Top-notch educational institutions
Cultural diversity
Outdoor recreational activities: skiing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and more!
Quality of life
The kindness and tolerance of Canadians
Free health care
Women’s rights
LGBTQ+ rights

Conclusion

From Newfoundland to British Columbia, Canadian provinces all have beautiful landscapes. All provinces also offer excellent job opportunities in different fields. Canada’s population is aging, which means that the demand for workers continues to increase as the years go by. However, if your goal is to work in the headquarters of a multinational company, provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec will have more opportunities for you. Moreover, these provinces are more suitable for you if you are looking for big cosmopolitan cities to live in. With this list of the 10 cheapest provinces to live in Canada, 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 across Canada soon, you might also want to check out the best long distance moving companies.

MovingWaldo's list of the Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada in 2022

1. New Brunswick
2. Newfoundland and Labrador
3. Quebec
4. Prince Edward Island
5. Manitoba
6. Nova Scotia
7. Alberta
8. Saskatchewan
9. British Columbia
10. Ontario

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The expert

Mathieu Paquette

The author of this article also acts as MovingWaldo’s booking agent. Matt, is an accomplished relocation specialist with over 6 years of experience in the industry. Matt has earned a CAM certification (Canadian Association Of Movers), Tariff Certification (Atlas Van Lines), and has an extensive business background. Before handing off everything you own, do your due diligence… or let Matt do it for you.

Provide Matt with your move criteria. He will calculate quotes from verified movers, using the same metrics. This will make it simple to compare and book your move.

Relevant for your move

Daily Living

Top 10 Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada with the Best quality of life – 2023

Methodology

MovingWaldo's list of the Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada

Booking trustworthy movers starts here

1. Newfoundland and Labrador

2. New Brunswick

3. Saskatchewan

4. Manitoba

5. Nova Scotia

6. Prince Edward Island

7. Alberta

8. Quebec

9. Ontario

10. British Columbia

Affordable Housing Options in Canada

Tiny Houses in Canada

Getting Roommates in Canada

First-Time Home Buyer Incentive in Canada

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford in Canada?

Why Do People Move to Canada?

Conclusion

MovingWaldo's list of the Cheapest Provinces to live in Canada in 2022

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The expert

Mathieu Paquette

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