10 most affordable places to live in Canada in 2025
Housing is one of the biggest costs in Canada, and rents have been climbing steadily. Picking the cheapest cities with low utility bills and fair transit costs helps stretch your income further.
Affordability matters because the cheapest places to live in Canada can save you hundreds every month compared with high-priced metros like Toronto or Vancouver. Smaller cities such as Sherbrooke and Drummondville remain among the most budget-friendly options.
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Core criteria for Canadian city affordability
Affordability is built from real costs you face each month, not a single sticker price. These pillars guide our ranking of the most affordable places to live in Canada and preview the data we apply below.
- Rent is the budget driver: In Q1 2025, Drummondville averaged about $1,200 for a two-bedroom asking rent and Sherbrooke about $1,250, among the least expensive CMAs. If you need a big city, expect higher listing rents and faster price shifts as shown in CMHC’s latest national rental study.
- Paychecks set what is feasible: Average weekly earnings reached $1,302 in June 2025, with Alberta at $1,369 among large provinces. Job demand matters too, and Canada recorded 492,000 vacancies in June 2025.
- Low cost of living: Electricity bills swing widely; Hydro-Québec pegs a 1,000 kWh monthly bill near $80 in Montréal, about $105 in Winnipeg, and roughly $151 in Toronto. Transit adds up as well, with a Winnipeg monthly pass at $115.50, while grocery costs are rising, with a family of four projected to spend about $16,834 in 2025; CPI inflation ran 1.9% year over year in August 2025, all key signals in any low-cost-of-living comparison.
- Quality of life factors: Canada’s Crime Severity Index measured 77.9 in 2024, with Saguenay at 55.1 and Thunder Bay at 107.7. Education outcomes are strong, with PISA 2022 scores above OECD averages at 497 math, 507 reading, and 515 science, while CIHI reports that nine in ten emergency visits ending in admission were completed within 48.5 hours, a useful context when picking an economical place to settle.
- Sales taxes change every day prices: As of April 1, 2025, Nova Scotia’s HST is 14%, Ontario is 13%, and New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are 15%, while non-participating provinces charge 5% GST. Québec adds 9.975% QST on top of the 5% GST, and Alberta’s lack of a provincial sales tax can make it an affordable province for regular spending.
Top 10 cheapest Canadian cities for 2025
Here is a focused snapshot of where your money stretches farthest. It sets up cost signals you’ll see below. This is a practical doorway into affordable cities to live in Canada.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg balances big-city amenities with mid-pack prices. The average net salary is about C$3,578.19, and a family of four runs near C$5,136.90 a month before rent.
Neighborhood choice drives housing costs more than in smaller centres, yet ownership remains accessible through diverse stock. Winters are intense, but transit, groceries, and childcare typically cost less than in Toronto and Vancouver. With steady public-sector and manufacturing roles, it suits families and new grads looking for stability.
Winnipeg also stacks well in cross-city comparisons, showing favorable purchasing power against several western hubs. Long-term renters and first-time buyers can chart predictable budgets here, especially outside the core. Creative, food, and non-profit scenes add lifestyle value that keeps residents planted. Regional moves from pricier cities often free up hundreds monthly.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thunder Bay offers lakefront living, strong hospitals, and a university energy. The average net salary is about C$3,473.66, and it undercuts Vancouver on rents by a wide margin.
- Rent prices in Vancouver are roughly 71.1% higher than in Thunder Bay.
- Good fit for nurses, educators, and outdoor-first professionals.
- Ownership paths are clearer than in southern Ontario hubs.
This northern hub works for families who want space and trails without Toronto prices. For many movers, Thunder Bay hits the best and cheapest place threshold for quality of life against income.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina’s economy spreads across public service, utilities, and agri-food. The average net salary is roughly C$3,669.50, while a family of four budgets about C$5,335.10 before rent. Ownership pressure is moderate, and commutes are short, so time and money both go further. Relative to Calgary or Toronto, maintaining the same standard of living requires notably less income, which appeals to remote workers and new families.
Regina’s rental market stays steady without the spikes seen in larger metros. The city suits public-sector professionals, trades, and healthcare teams who prize predictability. Buyers can find bungalows and townhomes at entry prices that undercut many peers. This is one of the affordable cities to live in Canada for people planning multi-year roots.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon pairs river-valley charm with a diversified economy. Single-person costs are about C$1,572.40 before rent, and the property price to income ratio of ∼4.93 keeps ownership attainable.
- Tech, agriculture, and education roles create steady inflows for renters and buyers.
- Province-level utilities and insurance costs help stabilize monthly budgets.
- Great for remote workers and students seeking mid-market rents.
Cost signals are calmer than in most big urban centers, and vacancy tends to give renters choice. If you are moving from a larger metro, you will likely see savings that feel cheap compared to West Coast cities.
Moncton, New Brunswick
Moncton blends steady wages with modest day-to-day costs and easy commutes; the average monthly net salary after tax is C$3,485.90. A single person’s typical expenses are about C$1,352.30 before rent, so pay stretches further than in many larger metros.
Rent for a 1-bed averages C$1,426.92 in the center and C$1,136.36 outside, which keeps the city attractive for newcomers. Ownership looks reachable, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.83 and an indicative fixed mortgage rate around 6.08%. Best for remote workers, first-time buyers, and renters seeking value.
Also read. Best places to live in Canada for US expats
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Calm riverfront living with a small town feel and metro-level services.
- Average net salary is C$3,448.82; typical 1-bed rents are about C$860 in the center and C$600 outside.
- Housing pressure is modest, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.64 and an indicative mortgage rate near 5.74%.
- To match C$5,800 of spending power in Trois-Rivières, you would need roughly C$9,155.80 in Vancouver. Best for families and remote workers who want lower fixed costs.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Port economy, short commutes, and friendly neighbourhoods, with an average monthly net salary of C$3,294.23.
- Typical 1-bed rents are about C$1,430 in the center and C$1,225 outside, keeping entry budgets predictable for newcomers.
- Ownership metrics are favourable, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.49 and a mortgage burden of about 37.37% of income.
- Best for retirees, trades, and first-time buyers who want steady costs without sacrificing coastal amenities.
Sherbrooke, Quebec
Sherbrooke’s balance of salaries and prices is friendly for students and professionals; the average monthly net salary is C$3,840.69. A single person spends about C$1,289.80 before rent, which is low for a city with two universities and full services. Typical 1-bed rents run C$1,183.33 in the center and C$838.33 outside.
Buying feels attainable, reflected in a price-to-income ratio of 3.64 and an indicative mortgage rate near 5.74%. Best for students, healthcare workers, and remote teams who want Québec prices with city amenities.
Windsor, Ontario
Cross-border access and auto-sector work meet balanced costs; the average monthly net salary is C$3,875.27.
- A single person’s typical expenses are about C$1,437.90 before rent, and a family of four averages C$5,091.20.
- The price-to-income ratio is 5.08, with an indicative mortgage rate near 6.47%, which helps first-time buyers map a path to ownership.
- Typical 1-bed rents run C$1,693.75 in the center and C$1,757.14 outside; local neighbourhood choice heavily shapes housing spend. Best for commuters, students, and logistics pros who want a full-service city at Ontario prices that feel manageable.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax offers big-city amenities and an average monthly net salary of C$3,751.42. Family-of-four expenses average about C$5,198 before rent, so budgeting matters more than in smaller Atlantic centers. Rents for a 1-bed are around C$2,081.46 in the center and C$1,630.52 outside.
The price-to-income ratio sits near 8.50, which is higher than many peers, making Halifax the best for grads, healthcare talent, and public-sector pros who want a deeper job market.
Comparing Canada's costliest urban hubs
Canada’s largest urban centers carry price tags that outpace smaller markets. Rent in these cities highlights how wide the gap is between high-demand hubs and more affordable cities.
| City | Rent 1-bed city centre (C$) | Property price city centre (C$ per sq ft) | Other living costs, single person excl. rent (C$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 2,410.96 | 1,121.62 | 1,570.30 |
| Vancouver | 2,692.46 | 1,251.38 | 1,467.20 |
| Victoria | 2,183.96 | 857.99 | 1,541.80 |
| Ottawa | 2,018.30 | 643.99 | 1,483.10 |
These numbers from Numbeo September 2025 data show how a single affordable place can cost less than half of a one-bedroom in Vancouver. The gap underscores why choosing a province outside of the top-tier cities can open the door to a truly cheap lifestyle.
Ready to plan your move with expert tax help?
Finding the cheapest places to live in Canada is just the first step for US expats – making sure you stay compliant with IRS rules is equally essential. From reporting your housing costs abroad to handling tricky exchange rates, even small filing errors can erase the savings you gain from an affordable city.
At Taxes for Expats, our specialists provide clear, reliable guidance so you can enjoy your new life while knowing your tax obligations are fully managed.
FAQ
Renting is usually cheaper month to month in big metros, while buying can win in smaller markets if you stay long enough to spread closing costs and rate risk.
Many are, but compare neighborhoods using local crime maps, school ratings, transit access, and amenities to match your family’s needs.
It depends on the city and your tax profile, since healthcare and some services can cost less in Canada, while housing or taxes may be higher in certain provinces.
