The Most Affordable Cities to Live in Canada in 2026

To help you factor affordability into your decision making, we’ve put together this list of the most affordable cities to live in each province in Canada in 2025.

To create our rankings, we only considered cities with populations above 50,000. We included one listing from each of Canada’s 10 provinces (excluding the northern territories). For data, we combined information from two main sources: Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index and the Globe & Mail’s annual ranking of Most Livable Cities in Canada.

Numbeo is a global website comparing cost of living in cities around the world. The website uses local data to compare various aspects of living expenses including rent, groceries, dining, transportation, and utilities. Data from Numbeo is updated on a rolling basis, we cited data from May 2025.

The Globe & Mail’s Most Livable Cities ranking goes beyond affordability to include a range of other factors including access to healthcare, education, climate, walkability, amenities, and more. We used data from the 2024 edition, published in December 2024.

Ready to find your new, affordable city? Let’s get into it.

The Most Affordable Cities in Canada in 2025

#10 – Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is a gorgeous, seaside city, nestled against the Atlantic Ocean. It represents Nova Scotia on our list, taking the #10 spot due to a lack of affordable housing. In recent years, the city’s population has exploded, creating a lack of housing and pushing up rental costs.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is $2,050/month while a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre averages $1,670/month. The Globe & Mail notes that the median household income is $87,000/year with 22% of households spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

Outside of housing, monthly food costs average $1,139 with monthly transportation costs at $1,203. As of December 2024, unemployment rate is 9.4%.

Halifax does have some advantages. 83% of residents have a regular health care provider and 69% feel a strong sense of belonging to a local community.

#9 – Cornwall, Ontario

Cornwall, which is located about 5 hours east of Toronto, beat out all the cities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to earn Ontario’s spot on this list. While housing costs have skyrocketed in the GTA, Cornwall’s housing prices have remained more affordable over recent years. The city has an industrial economy and is known for its scenic landscape overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Cornwall will set you back an average of $1,475/month, while a 1-bedroom apartment outside the downtown will cost you an average of $1,300/month. Median household income in Cornwall is just above $65,000/year with 22% of households spending more than 30% of income on housing.

Food costs in Cornwall average $946/month with transportation costs averaging $915/month. It’s likely that you’ll need a car to get around with a walkability score 52% lower than the Canadian average.

Cornwall scores high for healthcare with 90% of residents having regular access to a health care provider.

#8 – St. John’s, Newfoundland

St. John’s is the eastern-most city in Canada. Located on the eastern tip of Newfoundland & Labrador, St. John’s is known for its wild weather and friendly residents. This city boasts affordable rental prices and vibrant local culture.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown St. John’s costs an average of $1,270/month, while a 1-bedroom apartment outside the downtown core averages $1,000/month. The Globe & Mail notes that the median household income is $87,000/year with 22% of households spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

In St. John’s, monthly food costs average at $1,194 with monthly transportation costs at $1,344. As of December 2024, the unemployment rate is 9.4%.

St. John’s receives a low walkability score – 48% less walkable than the Canadian average. In terms of healthcare access, 85% of residents have a regular health care provider.

#7 – Charlottetown, PEI

Charlottetown is a charming island city located on Prince Edward Island. With a bustling arts scene and strong summer tourism industry, the city is perfect for those who enjoy a coastal lifestyle. In recent years, rental costs have been climbing in Charlottetown, lowering its affordability ranking.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Charlottetown averages $1,500/month while outside the downtown core the same apartment averages $1,200/month. The median household income is $77,700/year with 24% of households spending more than 30% of their annual income on housing—the highest on our list. The ciy’s unemployment rate is 8.4% as of December 2024.

In Charlottetown, monthly food costs average $1,066 with monthly transportation costs clocking in at $1,044. The city is 46% less walkable than the average Canadian city, meaning you’re going to want a car to get around.

80% of Charlottetown residents have access to a regular health care provider. Although the city has a few affordability challenges, it’s our recommended option for those seeking an affordable place to live in Prince Edward Island.

#6 – Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina is the capital of the prairie province of Saskatchewan, known for its wide-open skies and strong ties to agriculture. The city has affordable rental prices and bustling local economy.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Regina averages $1,300/month, while the same apartment outside the city centre costs $1,140/month. The Globe & Mail notes that the median household income is $106,500/year with 19% of households spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The unemployment rate is 7.7%.

Food costs in Regina average at $1,365/month with transportation costing an average of $1,255/month. For those who want to cut back on transportation costs, Regina is relatively walkable, clocking in just 6% less walkable than the Canadian average.

76% of Regina residents have regular access to a health care provider. For those afraid of harsh winters, Regina averages 70 days each year with temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius.

#5 – Lethbridge, Alberta

Located two hours south of Calgary, the city of Lethbridge is known for a vibrant local arts scene and a strong connection to agriculture. With its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge is a popular destination for nature lovers.

Numbeo calculates that a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Lethbridge averages $1,300/month while outside the downtown, the same apartment averages $1,075/month. Median household income in Lethbridge is $76,000/year, though Alberta has lower income taxes than all other provinces, meaning that residents take home more of their total income. 20% of households spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

Residents of Lethbridge, spend an average of $1,073 on food costs and another $843 on transportation. The city is 36% less walkable than the Canadian average, meaning that you may want a car if you’re living there.

In Lethbridge 83% of residents have access to a regular health care provider.

#4 – Prince George, BC

As with Ontario, our selection for British Columbia—Prince George—is located far from the major city—in this case, Vancouver—where rental costs have skyrocketed in recent decades. Prince George is a northern hub known for its forestry industry and access to outdoor adventure. Wilderness lovers can find an affordable place to live in Prince George.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in Prince George’s city centre averages $1,320/month. Outside the city centre, a similar apartment averages $1,260/month. The Globe & Mail states that the median household income in Prince George is $100,000/year with 16% of households spending more than 30% of their annual income on housing.

Located in the north, food and transportation costs are more expensive than Canadian averages, with monthly food expenditures averaging $1,294 and transportation expenditures averaging $1,399. The city is 39% less walkable than the Canadian average, meaning you’re likely going to want a car if you choose Prince George.

Prince George has a relatively high unemployment rate of 10.2%. Nearly 80% of residents have access to a regular health care provider.

#3 – Moncton, New Brunswick

For those seeking an affordable city in Atlantic Canada, Moncton is our top option. Located in New Brunswick, Moncton has a dynamic arts scene and offers a fusion of French and English culture. Nicknamed the “Hub City”, Moncton is an important hub transportation hub for the Atlantic region.

According to Numbeo, a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Moncton averages $1,395/month, while outside the downtown core this apartment averages $1,125/month. The Globe & Mail states that the median household income is $75,600/year with 19% of households spending more than 30% of the income on housing. The city has an unemployment rate of 7.1%.

Monthly food costs in Moncton average $1,022 while transportation costs average $1,167 per month. The city ranks as 46% less walkable than the Canadian average meaning you’ll likely want a car if you choose Moncton.

Finally, a whopping 91% of residents have access to a regular healthcare provider—the highest number on our list.

#2 – Brandon, Manitoba

Brandon, Manitoba, is a Prairie City sometimes referred to as the “Wheat City” due to its strong historic ties to agriculture. Located two hours west of Winnipeg, Brandon offers an affordable lifestyle to those looking for a quieter city.

Numbeo states that the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in downtown Brandon is only $1,100/month, dropping to only $800/month for similar apartments outside the downtown core. According to the Globe & Mail, the median household income is $84,700/year with only 16% of households spending more than 30% of income on housing. The unemployment rate is 7.5%.

Monthly food costs in Brandon average $1,082 with transportation costs averaging $1,103. Brandon ranks 13% less walkable than the average Canadian city—making it one of the most walkable cities on this list.

In Brandon, 75% of residents have access to a regular health care provider.

With low cost of housing and relatively high median income, Brandon offers one of the most competitive options on our list.

#1 – Trois-Rivières, Québec

The most affordable city on our list is Trois-Rivières, Québec! Located two hours east of Montreal, Trois-Rivières is a small city with deep historic roots. One of the oldest cities in North America, the city has a rich French Canadian heritage and boasts a variety of museums and festivals.

Before we get into our analysis, we want to note that Trois-Rivières is a predominantly French-speaking city. Without French-language competency, it may be difficult to find employment and enjoy the rich culture of the city. Thankfully, the government of Quebec offers free French courses to new residents.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre of Trois-Rivières averages only $860/month. Outside the city centre, this drops to only $600/month. The median household income in Trois-Rivières is $70,000/year with only 13% of households spending more than 30% of income on housing. The unemployment rate is 6.4%.

Food costs in Trois-Rivières average $943/month with transportation costs averaging $1,018 per month. The city is 35% less walkable than the Canadian average.

82% of residents have access to a regular health care provider.

Notably, Trois-Rivières experiences relatively harsh winters with 49 days per year receiving temperatures below 49 degrees Celsius.

For those willing to take on the adventure of living in a French city, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, is one of the most affordable locations in Canada and offers a wealth of culture!