How much does it cost to live in each Canadian province? This guide compares housing, taxes, childcare, and overall cost of living to help you decide where to live — or see how your province stacks up.
Cost of living index by province
This index compares the overall cost of living in each province relative to the Canadian national average (100). A score of 110 means 10% more expensive than average.
| Province | Cost of Living Index | Rank (1 = Cheapest) |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 88 | 1 |
| New Brunswick | 91 | 2 |
| Manitoba | 92 | 3 |
| Nova Scotia | 93 | 4 |
| Saskatchewan | 95 | 5 |
| Prince Edward Island | 96 | 6 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 97 | 7 |
| Alberta | 98 | 8 |
| Ontario | 108 | 9 |
| British Columbia | 118 | 10 |
Index based on housing costs, taxes, childcare, groceries, transportation, and utilities weighted by typical household spending.
Housing costs by province
Housing is the largest expense for most Canadians and varies dramatically by province. This comparison uses average home prices and average rents for a 2-bedroom apartment.
| Province | Avg Home Price | Avg Rent (2BR) | Home Price Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $989,000 | $2,450 | 10 (most expensive) |
| Ontario | $878,000 | $2,200 | 9 |
| Alberta | $498,000 | $1,650 | 8 |
| Quebec | $485,000 | $1,350 | 7 |
| Prince Edward Island | $395,000 | $1,400 | 6 |
| Nova Scotia | $420,000 | $1,550 | 5 |
| Manitoba | $365,000 | $1,350 | 4 |
| Saskatchewan | $335,000 | $1,250 | 3 |
| New Brunswick | $325,000 | $1,300 | 2 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $295,000 | $1,100 | 1 (cheapest) |
To afford these homes: With a 20% down payment at 5% interest over 25 years, here’s the approximate household income needed:
| Province | Income Needed to Afford Avg Home |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | $195,000 |
| Ontario | $175,000 |
| Alberta | $105,000 |
| Quebec | $100,000 |
| Atlantic Provinces | $75,000 - $90,000 |
| Prairies (MB, SK) | $75,000 - $85,000 |
Taxes by province
Your tax burden varies significantly by province. This table compares total tax paid on a $100,000 salary (2026 rates).
| Province | Income Tax on $100K | Sales Tax | Total Tax Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $23,300 | 5% GST | 1 (lowest) |
| Saskatchewan | $24,100 | 11% PST+GST | 2 |
| Ontario | $24,800 | 13% HST | 3 |
| British Columbia | $25,200 | 12% PST+GST | 4 |
| Manitoba | $27,100 | 12% PST+GST | 5 |
| New Brunswick | $27,500 | 15% HST | 6 |
| Nova Scotia | $28,200 | 15% HST | 7 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $28,900 | 15% HST | 8 |
| Prince Edward Island | $29,100 | 15% HST | 9 |
| Quebec | $29,800 | 14.975% QST+GST | 10 (highest) |
Important: Quebec’s high income taxes are partially offset by lower costs in other areas (childcare, housing, auto insurance, hydro).
Childcare costs by province
Childcare costs can make or break a family budget. Quebec’s subsidized system is an outlier.
| Province | Avg Monthly Childcare (Infant) | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $190 | $2,280 | Subsidized $8.70/day |
| All other provinces | $1,200 - $2,000 | $14,400 - $24,000 | Federal $10/day rollout ongoing |
Quebec advantage: A family with two kids saves approximately $25,000-$40,000 per year in childcare costs alone compared to Ontario or BC.
The federal $10/day childcare program is being phased in across other provinces but is not yet fully available everywhere (target: 2026).
Groceries and household expenses
| Province | Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) | Grocery Index |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $1,050 | 95 |
| Ontario | $1,150 | 104 |
| Alberta | $1,100 | 100 |
| British Columbia | $1,200 | 109 |
| Manitoba | $1,080 | 98 |
| Saskatchewan | $1,070 | 97 |
| Atlantic Provinces | $1,120 | 101 |
Grocery costs are relatively similar across provinces, with BC being most expensive and Quebec/Prairies being cheapest.
Utilities and energy costs
| Province | Avg Monthly Electricity | Avg Monthly Natural Gas | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $85 | N/A | Cheapest hydro in North America |
| Manitoba | $95 | $65 | Manitoba Hydro rates low |
| British Columbia | $110 | $75 | BC Hydro rates rising |
| Ontario | $140 | $90 | Time-of-use rates |
| Alberta | $145 | $110 | Deregulated market, variable |
| Atlantic Provinces | $150+ | $100+ | Higher rates |
Quebec and Manitoba benefit from abundant hydroelectric power, keeping electricity costs 40-50% lower than other provinces.
Transportation costs
| Province | Avg Auto Insurance | Avg Gas Price (per L) | Public Transit Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $720/year | $1.55 | Montreal, Quebec City |
| Ontario | $1,900/year | $1.60 | Toronto, Ottawa |
| Alberta | $1,450/year | $1.45 | Calgary, Edmonton |
| British Columbia | $1,800/year | $1.80 | Vancouver |
| Manitoba | $1,350/year | $1.50 | Winnipeg |
| Saskatchewan | $1,200/year | $1.48 | Limited |
| Atlantic Provinces | $950/year | $1.65 | Limited |
Quebec’s auto insurance is dramatically lower due to the public no-fault insurance system (SAAQ).
Monthly budget comparison: family of 4
What does it actually cost to live in each province? This table compares a middle-class family of 4 (two working adults, two kids, homeowners with mortgage).
| Expense | BC (Vancouver) | Ontario (Toronto) | Alberta (Calgary) | Quebec (Montreal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (mortgage) | $4,200 | $3,800 | $2,400 | $2,200 |
| Childcare | $2,000 | $1,800 | $1,500 | $400 |
| Groceries | $1,200 | $1,150 | $1,100 | $1,050 |
| Transportation | $1,200 | $1,100 | $950 | $700 |
| Utilities | $250 | $280 | $300 | $180 |
| Insurance (home/auto) | $450 | $400 | $350 | $230 |
| Other | $800 | $750 | $650 | $600 |
| Total Monthly | $10,100 | $9,280 | $7,250 | $5,360 |
| Annual Cost | $121,200 | $111,360 | $87,000 | $64,320 |
Quebec is ~$47,000/year cheaper than BC and ~$57,000/year cheaper than Ontario for a typical family, primarily due to childcare and housing.
Best provinces for different situations
Best for young families
- Quebec — $8.70/day childcare, low housing, QPIP parental leave
- Alberta — Low taxes, affordable housing, strong job market
- Manitoba — Very affordable, good family services
Best for retirees
- Nova Scotia — Low housing, slower pace, healthcare improving
- British Columbia (interior) — Mild climate, outdoor lifestyle
- Quebec — Very affordable, cultural amenities
Best for high earners
- Alberta — No PST, low income tax, affordable housing
- Ontario (outside GTA) — Job opportunities, moderate costs
- Saskatchewan — Low taxes, very affordable
Best for remote workers
- New Brunswick — Low cost, improving internet, Atlantic lifestyle
- Nova Scotia — Affordable, quality of life
- Quebec (outside Montreal) — Extremely affordable
Provincial comparison summary
| Province | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Climate, natural beauty, strong economy | Extremely expensive housing, high gas prices |
| Alberta | Lowest taxes, affordable housing, high wages | Cold winters, economic volatility, car-dependent |
| Saskatchewan | Very affordable, low taxes | Cold, limited amenities, distant from major cities |
| Manitoba | Affordable, low utilities | Cold winters, mosquitoes, limited job market |
| Ontario | Jobs, diversity, amenities | Expensive housing (GTA), high taxes |
| Quebec | Cheapest childcare, low housing, culture | French required for many jobs, high income tax |
| New Brunswick | Very affordable, bilingual | Limited job market, lower wages |
| Nova Scotia | Affordable, ocean lifestyle | Lower wages, limited healthcare access |
| PEI | Beautiful, affordable, friendly | Very small, limited jobs |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Cheapest housing, unique culture | Remote, limited jobs, weather |