How Much Does It Cost to Live in Winnipeg?
- Last updated on: March 2, 2021
Situated in the province of Manitoba, is the capital and the largest city of the province, which was named after the nearby lake of Winnipeg. The city is centered around the confluence of the Assiniboine and the Red rivers. The city has an area of 464.1 Km2 that harbors a population of about 825,000. It is the 7th most populated municipality of Canada with an extremely seasonal area even by Canadian standards. The average lows of January go are measured around -21°C whereas average highs in the month of July go as high as 26°C.
The city is a transportation and railway hub, which is also dubbed as the ‘Gateway to the West’. Even before the arrival of the European settlers, the city was still a hub for trade for the local indigenous people. It is globally known for hosting a number of annual events which are attended by people from around the world such as the Jazz Winnipeg Festival, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.
Cost of living in Winnipeg - 2021
Housing Cost in Winnipeg
Given below is a table that lists down the average prices of different types of apartments, their rents, and their costs in the city of Winnipeg.
| City District | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 + Bedroom |
| Downtown Winnipeg | $801 | $995 | $1600 | – |
| River – Osborne | – | $962 | $1295 | – |
| Waverly West | – | $1298 | $1543 | $1813 |
| West Broadway | $816 | $918 | $1295 | – |
| Charlmers | $699 | $899 | $1099 | $1495 |
| Montcalm | $848 | $1039 | $1175 | – |
| Rossmere | $783 | $913 | $1059 | – |
| Earl Grey | – | $1014 | $1319 | $1500 |
Housing
Average rent price for 1 Bedroom apartment
$1004
(* Zumper)
Average Cost of Utilities
Electricity, Energy, Water and more
As Winnipeg is located in the province of Manitoba, the average rate of electricity is the same as for the whole province i.e. 9.6¢/kWh, which is one of the most affordable rates of all the provinces, being only second to Quebec which stands at 7.3¢/kWh. If your apartment or house is averagely consuming around 1000kWh, your electric bill will come around $96. Other provinces providing similar or even cheaper rates of electricity include New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Ontario.
For an 85m2 apartment, the collective bill of all the utilities is averaged around $120 at max which includes electricity, heating, cooling, garbage, water, etc.
Home Insurance Rates
As for monthly home insurance rates, throughout the province of Manitoba, it is determined as per your residence and its situation. Consult the table below for the rates of insurance throughout the province of Manitoba.
Home Insurance, Property Type | Monthly Rate |
Within Winnipeg – Homeowners | $89 |
Outside of Winnipeg – Homeowners | $94 |
Within Winnipeg – Condo | $37 |
Outside of Winnipeg – Condo | $37 |
Within Winnipeg – Renters | $23 |
Outside of Winnipeg – Renters | $25 |
Housing
Average monthly cost for 1 Bedroom apartment : Utilities + Insurance
$143
Cost of Public Transport and Parking Rates
Public transport in Winnipeg is operated by Winnipeg Transit Service which is the regional authority for transportation.
For the average cost of public transport in the city of Winnipeg, consult the table below. There are five categories for fare distribution consisting of the following.
Fare Type | Full Fare Applies to individuals aged between 17-64 not attending high schools or attending post-secondary institutions. | Youth Fare Applies to aged 12-16 and high school students aged 17-21 with a Go-Card. | Senior Fare Applies to seniors aged 65+. | Post-Secondary For Post-Secondary Peggo cards for post-secondary students. |
Cash | $3.05 | $2.55 | $2.55 | $3.05 |
Peggo e-passes | ||||
e-cash* | $2.70 | $1.91 | $1.35 | $2.70 |
24 hour e-pass | $10.00 | $7.10 | $5.00 | N/A |
3 day e-pass | $20.25 | $14.35 | $10.15 | N/A |
5 day e-pass | $24.30 | $17.20 | $12.15 | N/A |
7 day e-pass | $27.00 | $19.15 | $13.50 | N/A |
14 day e-pass | $49.95 | $35.40 | $25.00 | $39.95 |
21 day e-pass | $74.25 | $52.60 | $37.15 | N/A |
28 day e-pass | $95.85 | $67.90 | $47.95 | $76.70 |
Monthly e-pass | $104.00 | $73.65 | $52.00 | $83.20 |
WINNpass (Jan – Mar) | $71.45 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
WINNpass (Apr-Dec) | $62.40 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Semester e-pass** | N/A | N/A | N/A | $283.00 |
Annual e-pass*** | $1,150.00 | $815.00 | $575.00 | $920.00 |
Paper passes | ||||
Tickets**** | $2.70 | $1.91 | $1.35 | N/A |
Max 5 (Weekday pass) | $24.30 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Other methods include
Peggo smart card – new or replacement | $5.00 |
Peggo smart card with photo | $5.30 |
Photo ID (including GoCARDs) | $3.60 |
Cost of The Public Bicycle Sharing System
Though the city of Winnipeg still doesn’t have a public bike-sharing program of its own, the city government is working to have one such program developed which will allow private companies to operate bike-sharing services within the confines of the city and go from one point to another more conveniently. All the necessary processes are under development and it is quite likely that by the end of this year or the next, the city will have its very own bike-sharing program working.
Car Parking Rates
On-street parking in the city of Winnipeg is controlled by the Winnipeg Parking Authority. In low-demand areas, parking for two hours is allowed at a rate of $1.75 per hour. Higher rates of as much as $2.75 per hour are applied in the high demand areas. Hospital areas allow for a parking of $2.75 per hour parking for a duration of four hours.
Car Insurance Rates
Car insurance rates in the province of Manitoba are at $1140. Though not highly affordable, they are still on the much affordable side being placed at 6th position out of 10. The collective average for all the provinces comes to a total of $1151. Comparing the car insurance rates of Alberta to it, it is only a bit cheaper.
Transportation
Winnipeg Transit Service
$104
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Entertainement
Winnipeg is a relatively affordable city in comparison to many other cities of Canada, but that doesn’t mean it is just cheap altogether. Considering the essentials only, the average cost of entertainment around the city of Winnipeg includes:
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $18
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course: $70
- Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught): $6
- 2 tickets to the cinema: $28
- Taxi trip on a business day, basic cost, 8 km. (5 miles): $16
- Cocktail drink in the pub: $9
Considering at average cost, if you have had 4 beers, 1 restaurant visit with friends, visited the cinema 2 times, and have had 4 regular restaurant meals per month, that can cost you about $194.
Entertainement
Monthly Cost
$194
(*Numbeo)
Grocery Cost in Winnipeg
Grocery includes items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and others. Cost for some regular groceries that may averagely be purchased include:
Items | Prices |
Milk (1 liter) | $1.85 |
Loaf of bread | $2.45 |
Rice 1kg | $3.76 |
Eggs 12 | $3.50 |
Local Cheese 1kg | $11.72 |
Chicken fillet 1kg | $14.90 |
Beef round 1kg | $15.87 |
Apple 1kg | $4.11 |
Banana 1kg | $2.01 |
Orange 1kg | $4.14 |
Tomato 1kg | $5.18 |
Potato 1kg | $3.24 |
Onion 1kg | $3.24 |
Lettuce 1 head | $2.84 |
Water bottle 1.5l | $1.98 |
Grocery
Monthly budget for 1 person
$214
(*Numbeo & Statistics Canada)
Phone and Internet
There are plenty of internet service providers in Winnipeg as well as cellphone service providers with different packages that are sure to meet everyone’s needs. Considering a general 60 Mbps connection with unlimited download, it will cost you around $80-$90 on average. Finding the Best Internet Plan will be easy as there are so many Internet providers available. Whereas 1 minute of the prepaid costwith no plan or discount will cost you around $0.33.
Phone and Internet
Phone with unlimited talk, text and data (Internet is included in Utilities)
$80
(*Numbeo)
Fitness and Personal Care
In terms of fitness and personal care, a one-month fitness club fee averages around 55-60 $ per month. As for healthcare, you are covered with Canada universal healthcare. Having personal insurance is still highly recommended for other personal care services such as the dentist and the optometrist.
Health and Fitness
The average cost of a Fitness membership
$55
(*Numbeo)
Provincial Taxes (Sales, city, and Income taxes)
There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In the province of Manitoba, they have GST and PST that are set at about 7% and 5% respectively, coming to a total of 12%. Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
- 10.8% on the first $33,723of taxable income, +.
- 12.75% on the next $39,162, +.
- 17.4% on the amount over $72,885.
Conclusion
If you plan on moving to Winnipeg, then you can calculate the average cost of living in the city using the provided table and selecting the rates along with respective items, and finding the total sum which may vary from one person to another.
Average Monthly Cost of living in Winnipeg
Category
Description
Cost
Housing
Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment + Insurance + Average utility cost
$1004+ $25 + $120
Transportation
Winnipeg Transit Service
$104
Food
Regular grocery basket for one person
$214
Phone
Unlimited mobile plan
$80
Entertainement
Monthly cost (see above)
$194
Health and Fitness
The average cost of a Fitness membership
$55
Total
Sum
$1796
Note: If you are sharing cost with someone, it will be significantly lower. Also, if you are budgeting for a family, you’ll need to add the cost of each family member.
This is an approximation. Price will vary.
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