Cost of Living in Canada by Province
Rents differ widely between cities. CMHC's 2025 average rent for a one-bedroom was $1,807 a month in Vancouver and $1,761 in Toronto, against $1,131 in Montréal and $1,232 in Winnipeg. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, and its $15.00 minimum wage is the lowest of the provinces. British Columbia's $18.25 is the highest.
What does rent cost in each city?
Cost of living in Canada varies widely by province and city, with no single national figure.
Figures are CMHC average rents from the 2025 Rental Market Survey, for purpose-built rentals in row and apartment structures of three units or more, as published by Statistics Canada (table 34-10-0133-01). Averages include units already rented, so rents for new listings are often higher.
| City | Province | 1-bedroom (CMHC average, 2025) | 2-bedroom (CMHC average, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Ontario | $1,761 | $2,045 |
| Vancouver | BC | $1,807 | $2,364 |
| Victoria | BC | $1,624 | $2,121 |
| Ottawa (Ontario part) | Ontario | $1,593 | $1,916 |
| Montréal | Quebec | $1,131 | $1,346 |
| Calgary | Alberta | $1,581 | $1,908 |
| Edmonton | Alberta | $1,301 | $1,598 |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | $1,232 | $1,570 |
The other two of the ten cities compared here: Halifax (Nova Scotia), $1,539 for a 1-bedroom and $1,828 for a 2-bedroom. Saskatoon (Saskatchewan), $1,281 for a 1-bedroom and $1,559 for a 2-bedroom.
What is the minimum wage in each province?
Minimum wage in Canada is set by each province and territory and changes on dates each province sets. The figures below are the rates in force on November 12, 2026. Ontario's increases are tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index.
| Province | Minimum wage (November 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $18.25/hr | Effective June 1, 2026 (highest province) |
| Alberta | $15.00/hr | General minimum wage (lowest province) |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70/hr | Effective Oct 1, 2026 |
| Manitoba | $16.40/hr | Effective Oct 1, 2026 |
| Ontario | $17.95/hr | Effective Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027 |
| Quebec | $16.60/hr | General rate |
| New Brunswick | $15.90/hr | Effective Apr 1, 2026 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00/hr | Effective Oct 1, 2026 |
PEI pays $17.30/hr, effective Oct 1, 2026, and rises to $17.60 on Apr 1, 2027. Newfoundland & Labrador pays $16.35/hr, effective Apr 1, 2026. The federal rate for regulated industries (banking, telecommunications, international and interprovincial transportation) is $18.15/hr, effective Apr 1, 2026.
The rule
The federal minimum wage applies to federally regulated industries (banking, telecommunications, international and interprovincial transportation); for those workers, employers must pay the higher of the federal rate or the local provincial/territorial rate.
What do groceries, transit, utilities and child care cost?
Groceries, transit and utilities vary by city and household, so this guide gives no figures for them. Grocery costs vary by city and by diet.
Most major Canadian cities have public transit. Fares and passes vary by city: check the local transit authority's website. Utility costs vary by province, climate, and whether they are included in rent, so check what the rent includes before you sign.
Under the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, the federal government reduced fees for regulated child care by at least 50% on average by the end of 2022. It is working towards fees of $10 a day on average.
- Average fees of $10 a day or less
- Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- Average fee reductions of 50% or more
- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
- Quebec
- Average fees under $10 a day, reached before the Canada-wide system was created
Which are the most affordable provinces for newcomers?
These provinces have cities with lower average rents than Toronto and Vancouver. They are listed by CMHC's 2025 average one-bedroom rent in the named city, lowest first.
| Province (city) | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec (Montréal) | Montréal has the lowest average one-bedroom rent of the ten cities compared here ($1,131, CMHC 2025). Quebec's average fees for regulated child care are under $10 a day. Quebec runs its own selection of immigrants. | A distinct immigration process, run by Quebec's Ministère de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration (MII). |
| Manitoba (Winnipeg) | Average one-bedroom rent of $1,232 (CMHC 2025), the second lowest of the ten cities. Average fees for regulated child care of $10 a day or less. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program has newcomer pathways. | Minimum wage of $16.40, below Ontario's $17.95 and British Columbia's $18.25. |
| Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) | Average one-bedroom rent of $1,281 (CMHC 2025), the third lowest of the ten cities. Average fees for regulated child care of $10 a day or less. Saskatchewan PNP has newcomer pathways. | Minimum wage of $15.70, the second lowest of the provinces after Alberta. |
| Alberta (Edmonton) | No provincial sales tax (PST): most purchases carry only the 5% GST. Edmonton's average one-bedroom rent ($1,301) is below Calgary's ($1,581) (CMHC 2025). The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has newcomer pathways. | The lowest provincial minimum wage, $15.00 an hour. |
| Atlantic Canada (Halifax) | The Atlantic Immigration Program is for newcomers with a job offer from a designated employer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. Halifax's average one-bedroom rent ($1,539, CMHC 2025) is below Toronto's ($1,761) and Vancouver's ($1,807). Average fees for regulated child care are $10 a day or less in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island. | Halifax's average rent is higher than Montréal's, Winnipeg's, Saskatoon's and Edmonton's. |
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What do people ask?
Which province has the lowest cost of living in Canada?
On rent, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan: CMHC's 2025 average one-bedroom rent was $1,131 a month in Montréal, $1,232 in Winnipeg and $1,281 in Saskatoon, the lowest of the ten cities compared here. Other costs point elsewhere. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, and average regulated child care fees are $10 a day or less in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the territories. The Most Affordable Provinces section above weighs the trade-offs.
Which province has the highest cost of living in Canada?
British Columbia and Ontario, driven by rent in Vancouver and Toronto. CMHC's 2025 average one-bedroom rent was $1,807 a month in Vancouver and $1,761 in Toronto, against $1,232 in Winnipeg. Victoria follows at $1,624. BC has the highest provincial minimum wage, $18.25 an hour. The Housing and Rental for Newcomers guide explains renting in these markets.
What does housing cost by city in Canada?
CMHC's 2025 average rent for a one-bedroom was $1,761 a month in Toronto, $1,807 in Vancouver, $1,593 in Ottawa (Ontario part), $1,581 in Calgary, $1,131 in Montréal, $1,539 in Halifax and $1,232 in Winnipeg, for purpose-built rentals of three units or more. Averages include units already rented, so new listings often cost more. The Housing and Rental for Newcomers guide covers the search.
How much does it cost to live in Canada per month for a single person?
It depends mostly on the city. CMHC's 2025 average one-bedroom rent ran from $1,131 a month in Montréal to $1,807 in Vancouver among the ten cities compared here. Groceries, transit, utilities, phone and internet come on top and vary by city and household. The Student Budget and Cost of Living guide builds a monthly budget.
What is the minimum wage by province in 2026?
It ranges from $15.00 an hour in Alberta to $18.25 in British Columbia since June 1, 2026. Since October 1, 2026, Ontario pays $17.95, Nova Scotia $17.00, Manitoba $16.40 and Saskatchewan $15.70. Quebec pays $16.60. The federal rate of $18.15 covers federally regulated jobs such as banking. Rates change often, so check your province.
Is it cheaper to live in Alberta because there is no sales tax?
Partly. Alberta has no provincial sales tax, so most purchases carry only the 5% GST, against 13% HST in Ontario and 14% in Nova Scotia, for example. Sales tax is only one piece, though: provincial income tax, rent, utilities and car insurance all count, and Alberta's minimum wage is the lowest of the provinces at $15.00. The Most Affordable Provinces section above compares the full picture.
How much money should I bring to Canada as a newcomer?
If you immigrate as a Federal Skilled Worker, IRCC sets a minimum: CAD 15,263 for one person as of July 7, 2025, rising with family size. Your first rent payments, any deposit your province allows and setup costs come on top. Canadian Experience Class applicants do not need to show funds. The Cost to Move to Canada guide builds a full budget.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.