How expensive is life in Canada? A 2019-2020 cost of living review by province and territory

Cost of living in the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador)

Cost of living in Nova Scotia

This is a province where cost of living is relatively low, even in Halifax, the capital. Smaller cities like Sydney or Dartmouth are even cheaper.

Average wages in Nova Scotia

As of April 1, 2019, the minimum wage is $11.55 per hour for experienced employees and $11.05 per hour for inexperienced employees (i.e. less than three months employed in the type of work they are hired to do).

Cost of living in Halifax

Rent prices

According to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $812 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $904 per month…. Which may be a very low estimate, since for PadMapper, a bachelor apartment is $1150 per month, a one-bedroom apartment is $1400 per month and a two-bedroom apartment is $1525 per month.

There’s Halifax peninsula and Halifax mainland—living on the peninsula, closer to the downtown core, is more expensive than living south of the city, on the mainland. Within the peninsula, the North End is cheaper than neighbourhoods on the south side. On the mainland, it’s the opposite.

Dartmouth, a ferry ride across Halifax, is cheaper. A bachelor apartment is about $594 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is around $755 per month.

Public transportation

Halifax Transit operates the bus and ferry services:

• Single trip, cash fare: $2.75 (exact fare only)
• 10 single trips: $24.70
• Monthly pass: $82.50

For more information, check Fares, tickets and passes.

Entertainment

• Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $18 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants are around $60-$80.
• Bars: a beer is $6 and your favourite cocktail $9-$12
• Movie theatre: a ticket is $13
• Cigarettes: $14 for a pack of 20

Food

Food prices are generally slightly higher than in most Canadian cities—expect to pay more for produce, meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

Dalhousie University offers information on the Cost of living in Halifax and Living Affordably provides tips and advice.

Cost of living in New Brunswick

Here is another province where cost of living is lower than in the rest of Canada.

Average wages in New Brunswick

As of April 1, 2019, the minimum wage is $11.50 per hour.

Rent prices

New Brunswick is one of the provinces with the cheapest monthly rent.

In Moncton, according to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $607 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $698 per month. For PadMapper, a bachelor apartment is $700 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $930 per month.

In Fredericton, according to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $637 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $747 per month. For PadMapper, a bachelor apartment is $755 per month.

In Saint John, according to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $526 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $648 per month. For PadMapper, a one-bedroom apartment is $745 per month.

Public transportation

In Moncton, Codiac Transpo operates the city’s bus service:

• Single trip cash fare: $2.75
• 10 single-trip pass: $22
• Monthly pass: $65

For more details, read Fares.

Saint John Transit serves the eponymous city:

• Cash fare: $2.75
• Monthly pass: $77

For more information, read Fares.

Fredericton Transit operates the bus service in the city:

• Single trip: $2.75
• 10 single trips: $2.50
• Monthly pass: $80

For more information, read Fares.

Entertainment

• Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $15 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants are around $50-$80.
• Bars: a beer is $4-$6 and your favourite cocktail $8-$9
• Movie theatre: a ticket is between $10.25 and $11.50 (depending on the city)
• Cigarettes: $13 for a pack of 20

Food

Rent is cheaper than in many cities but food tends to be more expensive, especially produce, dairy products and eggs.

Cost of living in Newfoundland and Labrador

Average wages in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of April 1, 2019, the minimum wage is $11.40 per hour.

Cost of living in St John’s

Rent prices

According to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $712 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $791 per month.

Public transportation

Metrobus operates the city’s bus service:

• Reloadable Metrobus card: $5
• Single trip, cash fare: $2.50
• 10-ride pass: $22.50
• Monthly pass: $78

For more details, read Fares, Passes & Sales Outlets.

Entertainment

• Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $20 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants are around $70-$80.
• Bars: a beer is $6 and your favourite cocktail $6-$7
• Movie theatre: a ticket is $13
• Cigarettes: $14 for a pack of 20

For more info about St John’s, read Getting settled.

Cost of living in Prince Edward Island

The smallest and least populated province offers a relatively low cost of living, including in Charlottetown, the capital.

Average wages in Prince Edward Island

As of April 1, 2019, the minimum wage is $12.25 per hour. It will be $12.85 per hour on April 1, 2020.

Cost of living in Charlottetown

Rent prices

According to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $585 per month and a one-bedroom apartment is $755 per month.

Public transportation

T3 Transit provides service to Charlottetown and all of PEI:

• Single trip, cash fare: $2
• 10 single trips: $1.80
• Monthly pass: $58.50

For more info, check Fares and passes.

Entertainment

• Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $17.50 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants are around $50-$80.
• Bars: a beer is $6.50 and your favourite cocktail $7-$8
• Movie theatre: a ticket is $11.50
• Cigarettes: $11 for a pack of 20