Finding affordable cities to live in Canada can be a challenge, especially in major cities. This guide explores some of the affordable cities to live in Canada, helping you find a great place to settle within your budget.
Affordable Province To Live in Canada
Most provinces in Canada can be very expensive to live in, but it depends on how deep your pocket is. We took a look at the prices of basic commodities and properties across several provinces, and we found that Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island are the cheapest provinces to live in Canada.
We paid special attention to the prices of housing and rent, as this will likely be the highest cost that you will encounter during your life in Canada. We also paid attention to the average cost of living in these provinces, as small differences in prices of everyday items can add up. Finally, as the prices of housing or properties for sale do not always reflect the rent in these places, we considered rent as a separate entry on our list.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador offers some of the most affordable housing in the country. Affordable housing options here start from CAD900 while the average overall cost of a new property is CAD291,000. Also, a family of four will need approximately CAD1,960 a month for basic utilities and food items. This province is known for its low tuition fees and it is considered a good place to raise your family.
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New Brunswick
New Brunswick, on the other hand, charges a bit more for a one-bedroom apartment. CAD1695 per month, to be exact. The cost of living is very similar, at CAD2000 a month. An average property sold in this province costs as little as CAD290,000. New Brunswick is known for its very cheap utilities, but it can be difficult to find a job or a good property to buy and sell, as the population is very low.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is also on our list of the best provinces for affordable housing. Even in major cities in this province, you can expect to pay very little for housing, compared to some other provinces. A one-bedroom apartment in this province will cost you CAD1,150 a month in rent. The average cost of living is CAD2,170 while an average property sold in this province goes for as little as CAD324,000.
Saskatchewan is not a very popular destination to move to. Still, the place is packed with history and is on our list of them as one of the most affordable provinces out there. This was chosen as one of the cheapest places to live due to its low average monthly rent but it offers an affordable lifestyle. This makes this an attractive option for those seeking sporting opportunities, as it has a lot of sunny hours every year – more than 2,000 to be exact. This is one of the only two provinces in Canada that has no access to salt water.
Manitoba
Affordable living and affordable housing can also be found in Manitoba. The average monthly rent in this province for a one-bedroom apartment is CAD1,300. city Life can still be a bit more expensive, but Manitoba is, nevertheless, one of the cheapest places in Canada to live. Manitoba living compared to living in some other provinces does not offer a lower quality of life. The cost of living is CAD2,135, while the average property is sold for around CAD330,000.
Manitoba is known as a cultural hub and has low electricity rates which can help save money on utilities. This is the perfect province to move to for all who are moving and opting for a low-cost living. The province also offers very affordable living and the cities found in this province are among the most affordable cities in Canada. The province also has a rich history, plenty of urban living opportunities, and rent prices that do not reflect its state of development.
Prince Edward Island
Yet another most affordable province in Canada is Prince Edward Island. This is one of the cheapest provinces in Canada, but despite this, it offers a relatively high quality of life. The rent for an average one-bedroom apartment is CAD945. The average cost of living in the province is CAD1,645. The average property is sold at CAD362,000.
The entire province is known as one of the smallest provinces in Canada. It has also some of the lowest prices of everyday commodities. It featured a low population, sandy beaches, and the Prince Edward lobster. The water temperature in the summer reaches 20 degrees Celsius, so it is perfect for swimmers. The province is also known as perfect for bikers, and the Confederation biking trail is among the best-known in the country.
| Cost of Living | Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment | Average Property Price | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,960 | 900 | 291,000.00 |
| New Brunswick | 2000 | 1695 | 290,000.00 |
| Saskatchewan | 2,170.00 | 1,150.00 | 324,000.00 |
| Manitoba | 2,135.00 | 1,300.00 | 330,000.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1,645.00 | 945.00 | 362,000.00 |
Top Cheapest Cities in Canada
While exploring affordable provinces is a great start, finding the most affordable Canadian cities takes your search a step further. Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living, and good value for your money are key factors to consider. This includes factors like rent, property prices, utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone), and even avoiding pricier capital cities within provinces.
Surprisingly, Quebec City won this one. This attractive destination offers a surprisingly low cost of living compared to other major Canadian cities. It has well-developed infrastructure, including good public transportation, quality educational opportunities for your children, and a thriving job market – all for affordable living.
Quebec City is just the beginning! When looking for affordable cities in Canada, we took note of avoiding large Canadian cities, as they barely ever make it to the list of most affordable cities in any country. Here’s the list of affordable Canadian cities that you’re considered the most affordable:
- Windsor, Ontario
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Trois-Rivières, Québec
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, in Ontario, is one of the most affordable cities on our list. The average monthly rent in the city for a one-bedroom apartment is anywhere between CAD900-1100. If you live in this city you can expect to pay on average CAD400 to CAD500 a month for food. The basic utilities will set you back CAD200 a month. Windsor has a good public transportation system, which you can access for as little as CAD100 a month.
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This affordable city is also an appealing destination where immigrants Like to Move. This is also one of the cheapest places to live in Ontario and it offers to create employment opportunities to all newcomers. The local cuisine is very diversified and the city is ideally located on the banks of the Detroit River.
Quebec City, Quebec
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada. It is more than 400 years old, and it is the only walled city in Canada and North America, northern Mexico. For this reason, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a very affordable city, among the most affordable cities in Canada.
It has a population of just over half a million and it has a reasonable cost of living. The average home value is CAD350,000. The upper town is very refined. This affordable city is home to an amazing winter carnival, and if you happen to be here during the wintertime, you should pay a visit to the Laurentian mountains.
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
This city is situated halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. It is a very big city, full of charming architecture and it provides a good quality of life. It also offers opportunities for outdoor activities and it is an appealing destination for newcomers to Canada. As one of the cheapest places to live in the Quebec province, the city offers one-bedroom apartments for an average monthly rent as low as CAD600.
You can also expect to pay as little as CAD400 per month for food and the basic utilities will set you back no more than CAD130. The transportation is publicly organized and available to all for CAD90 a month. The city is full of historic sights, attractions, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and kayaking.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan. It was named after a local red berry and it features ski trails. It is among the most popular Canadian cities and one of the most affordable cities in the country as well. It has a rich history, and it is an attractive destination for newcomers to Canada. The city offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and is a budget-friendly city with a cost of living of just CAD1,200 a month per person. The average home value is set at CAD370,000.
- Monthly cost of living per person: CAD1,200
- Average home value CAD370,000
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg, in Manitoba, has also made it to our list of the most affordable cities in Canada. This affordable city is situated 40 miles southwest of Lake Winnipeg. It is a diverse city and one of the major metropolitan areas in the country.
- Average income: CAD48,000
- Average home value: CAD360,000
- Monthly cost of living for a single person: CAD1,200
Fun fact: Manitoba, is the 5th province with the largest Indian population in Canada. A sign that this place is welcoming to multicultural communities.
Needless to say, these are not the only affordable cities in Canada. Different online sources commonly cite the following cities as well:
- Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec
- Tracadie, New Brunswick
- Sainte-Marie, Quebec
- Montmagny, Quebec
- Miramichi, New Brunswick
- Saint-Georges, Quebec
- Bathurst, New Brunswick
- Rimouski, Quebec
Take A Look At 6 Most Affordable Cities in Canada in 2024:
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Now, simply for comparison’s sake, have a look at some of the major cities in Canada. In making the following table, we paid attention to the rent for a two-bedroom apartment, the average electricity bill, the average bill for a phone and internet, as well as transportation food, and childcare costs. In making the comparisons, you will see that the above series is very affordable compared to bigger cities with higher expenses. Quebec has found its place in the table, as it is the capital city of the Quebec province.
| Rent for a 2-bedroom Apartment | Electricity | Phone and Internet | Childcare | Transportation | Food | |
| Toronto | 1,780.00 | 160.00 | 170.00 | 650.00 | 720.00 | 1,350.00 |
| Ottawa | 1,630.00 | 150.00 | 170.00 | 515.00 | 720.00 | 1,350.00 |
| Quebec | 976.00 | 90.00 | 160.00 | 190.00 | 670.00 | 1,260.00 |
| Calgary | 1,470.00 | 210.00 | 180.00 | 700.00 | 680.00 | 1,450.00 |
| Vancouver | 2,010.00 | 125.00 | 175.00 | 650.00 | 800.00 | 1,370.00 |
Here is also a breakdown of the average rent according to family size and apartment size in the same cities. You will notice stark differences, with Quebec City still being the most affordable one in all apartment sizes. Here is a table for reference:
| Average Rent of a Bachelor-Style Apartment | 1-Bedroom Apartment | 2-Bedroom Apartment | 3-Bedroom Apartment | |
| Toronto | 1,300.00 | 1,530.00 | 1,780.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Ottawa | 1,120.00 | 1,350.00 | 1,630.00 | 1,780.00 |
| Quebec | 790.00 | 910.00 | 1,020.00 | 1,230.00 |
| Calgary | 980.00 | 1,220.00 | 1,460.00 | 1,580.00 |
| Vancouver | 1,380.00 | 1,550.00 | 2,000.00 | 2,440.00 |
Final Thoughts
Canada is one of the attractive destinations to move to. With this in mind, it is clear that many people will naturally seek the lowest housing costs, the cheapest cities, budget-friendly dining options, and an overall lower cost of life. As Canada’s not a cheap country, it is very important to consider that your move should be cost-effective and should not push you into debt. For this reason, you should always stay on watch for the cheapest place to live in Canada.