10 Popular Cities with low Cost of Living in Canada

Cost of Living in Canada: The cost of living across Canada is different for an individual, a couple, or a family based on lifestyle choices and their needs, the most common components of the cost of living will include housing, food, transportation, and childcare. The cost of living across Canada varies as some cities tend to be more expensive than other places which is normal in most countries.

Canada is one of the top destinations for immigrants today especially students because of its Immigrant-Friendly Policies. Regardless of being a top visitor destination, Canada is ranked the 25th most expensive country to live in on Numbeo. As a student with plans to move to Canada one of the things to look out for are areas with low cost of living in Canada to enable you to utilize your money.

Though some of these areas with low cost of living do have relatively low job opportunities and pay. The data gathered from residents in different areas of Canada proves that some areas in Canada are 2 or 3 times more expensive to live in than other areas.

Luckily, I have made available this article to help you understand the cost of living obtainable in some cities in Canada. This will help you make an informed decision about which Canadian city is the best fit for your budget and needs.

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Cost of living in Canada

The cost of living is the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare in a certain place and period. The cost of living can be a significant factor in personal wealth accumulation because a salary can provide a higher standard of living in a city where daily expenses such as rent, food, and entertainment are less.

In Canada low cost of living is often considered by how relatively cheap it is to live in one city versus another. The cost of living is mainly tied to wages. When considering areas with low cost of living one should also put into consideration the possible job opportunities and the average pay in the area.

Top 10 areas in Canada with low cost of living

• Sherbrooke, Quebec
• St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Bécancour, Quebec
• Saint John, New Brunswick
• Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• Trois-Rivières, Québec
• Kitchener, Ontario
• Kelowna, British Columbia
• Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
• Montreal, Quebec

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Note: The data provided in this article are estimated and thus not 100% accurate. Inflation and economic changes are factors that contribute to the cost of living in an area. This article is meant to provide you with an idea of how much it’ll cost you to live in the cities listed below. Not all expenses relate to you as some expenses are strictly for single persons while others are for people with children.

1. Sherbrooke, Quebec

Sherbrooke is a city in southern Quebec, Canada with a population of 176,222 people. It’s an educational powerhouse in the region, and the University of Sherbrooke is the largest employer in the city. It’s very well located and ideally connected by major railways and highways. It is the cheapest city to live in. The rent is 45.27% lower than in Montreal, according to Numbeo.

Cost of Living in Sherbrooke, Quebec

Quick Note: Accommodation in the tables is for a 1 bedroom apartment, Feeding above is the Average Cost of a Meal for 2 People, Transportation is the price of a Monthly ticket for public transport, Utility Bills are the estimated Monthly Expenses for a Single Person (without rent), Childcare is the cost of International Primary School for 1 Child.

2. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country’s Atlantic region. St. John’s is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The St. John’s metropolitan area is the most populous census metropolitan area (CMA) in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. With a population of 212,579 in the 2021 Canadian Census.

Cost of Living in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

The overall estimated monthly costs for a single person in the city of St. John Newfoundland and Labrador is C$1,349.2 (without rent)

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3. Bécancour, Quebec

Bécancour is a city in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec, Canada; it is the seat of the Bécancour Regional County Municipality. It is located on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River at the confluence of the Bécancour River, opposite Trois-Rivières.

Schools (Universities and colleges) in this location include McGill University, Bishop’s University, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Concordia University, and many more.

Cost of Living in Bécancour, Quebec

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4. Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John has a population of 69,895 and is the oldest incorporated city in the country. The economy traditionally relied quite heavily on the shipbuilding industry, one of the world’s largest (and oldest). House rent in Saint John is 60.32% lower than in Toronto. It’s one of the cheapest places to live in Canada.

Cost of Living in Saint John, New Brunswick

5. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Moose Jaw isn’t just one of the cheapest places to live. It is a city located on the Bay of Fundy, which has the fastest tide change in the world. The current population of Moose Jaw is 36,000 residents. Moose Jaw is located in Southern Saskatchewan. it’s also one of Canada’s most notorious cities.

The key economic sectors are agriculture, potash mining, NATO Flying Training, transportation, tourism, and healthcare. There are two potash solution mines located close to Moose Jaw. The downtown area features tunnels, numerous coffee shops, and many unique shops. Moose Jaw is said to be number three on a list of “10 Coolest Downtowns in Canada,” and is one of Canada’s cheapest places to live.

Cost of Living in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

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6. Trois-Rivières, Québec

Trois-Rivières is a city in the Mauricie administrative region of Quebec, Canada. It is one of the cheapest cities in Canada to live in, with low living costs. Trois-Rivières currently has a growing population of over 140,000 residents. There are lots of local art museums in the city Centre that feature Québecois art. This city is a great place for young artists, remote workers, and those who are looking for a perfect environment to thrive.

Cost of Living in Trois-Rivières, Québec

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7. Kitchener, Ontario

Kitchener is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario, about 100 km (62 mi) west of Toronto. It is one of three cities that make up the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and is the regional seat. Kitchener is the twin city of Waterloo and home to 233,222 people.

It has the eighth-best university in the country (University of Waterloo). Kitchener also hosts the largest music event in Ontario, the KOI music festival. Major employers in the city include Toyota Manufacturing, Manulife, and Sunlife Financial.

Cost of Living in Kitchener, Ontario

The overall estimated monthly cost for a single person in the city of Kitchener is 1,239.5C$ (without rent).

8. Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. It’s the third-largest metropolitan area in the region, with a population of 153,148, which is rapidly growing. The service industry is the largest employer in the city. The city is known to have a relatively high crime rate.

It is always visited by tourists who come for boating, golf, hiking, and biking in summer, and winter, It’s also famous for its vineyards. Average salaries in the city are on par with large metropolitans like Toronto, but the cost of living is significantly cheaper.

Cost of Living in Kelowna, British Columbia

The overall estimated monthly cost for a single person in the city of Kelowna is C$1,217.0 (without rent).

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9. Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

Lloydminster is a border town that sits on the edge of Saskatchewan and Alberta. It’s a rural area and doesn’t feature a large city center, shopping malls, or other attractions that you’ll find in some of Canada’s larger cities. Lloydminster provides post-secondary education through Lakeland College, offering one and two-year certificate and diploma programs. Given the rural location of Lloydminster, though, it’s a great place to save money on the cost of living.

Lloydminster is a popular retirement destination. It has a slightly older population compared to other Saskatchewan towns. It’s a very safe town to live in.

Cost of Living in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan

10. Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and is home to nearly half of the province of Quebec’s population. The city of Montreal is the second largest city in Canada. It is a center of commerce, finance, industry, technology, culture, and world affairs and is the headquarters of the Montreal Exchange.

The University of Montreal is located in this city and the school is ranked the fifth-best University in Canada, five big banks have their corporate headquarters located in this city. It is no doubt one of the best places to live in Canada. Montreal is approximately 7.61% cheaper than Toronto in the cost of living.

Cost of Living in Montreal, Quebec

The overall estimated monthly cost for a single person in the city of Montreal is C$1,190.1 (without rent).

A clear understanding of how much it will cost you to live in a certain city will give you a better idea of places to live. Above all, It’s also important to live somewhere with several job opportunities. Do contact us for more information.