Canada has a lot of beautiful cities to live in for individuals and families. Have you ever wondered how frugal your city is or if you can actually live frugally in another city and still have a great quality of life?
Statistics Canada data shows more Canadians are leaving the big cities after the pandemic in search of affordable housing options and lower costs of living. So whether you make money through trading crypto, delivering packages or from the Canada Pension Plan, knowing where you can keep your costs low is valuable knowledge to have.
Study Methodology
We rounded up a list of 30 cities with the lowest cost of living and affordable property and scored them on the following 4 criteria:
- Median Household Income After Taxes
- Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4)
- Average Home Price (3-Bedroom)
- Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent
To back our research, we used Statistics Canada, CREA, Wowa, and each city's official website. We also gathered the average property value in each city to give a better idea of housing prices. According to CREA, the average home price in Canada has actually decreased 9.9% from 2021 to 2022.
Cost of Living covers rent, utilities, food, transportation, and miscellaneous goods and services.
Let’s have a look at the 30 most frugal cities in Canada:
1. Edmonton, Alberta
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $93,748 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,326 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $462,858 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,550 |
Highlights:
- Festival city of Canada – hosts a year-round slate of festivals
- Home of The University of Alberta Plenty of opportunities in oil and gas
- The largest Northernmost metropolis in North America and the ultimate gateway to Canada's wild, adventurous boreal landscapes
One of the great things about living in a low-cost city like Edmonton is that you can splurge more on the things that matter to you. For example, many Canadians are turning to the American Express Platinum Card to take their travels to the next level, an expense they can afford due to their lower cost of living.
2. Red Deer, Alberta
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $81,021 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,431 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $314,700 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,395 |
Highlights:
- Known for being one of Canada's most entrepreneurial cities
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, Bower Ponds, Red Deer College
- Known for its industries in health care, construction, oil & gas extraction, mining, and manufacturing
- Centrally located in Western Canada, just over 1,000 km east of Vancouver, and 400 km north of the Carway border crossing to the United States
3. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $71,709 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,648 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $349,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,029 |
Highlights:
- The city has the nickname ”Hub City”
- The world leader in agriculture
- The fifth-largest oil producer in North America
- Saskatoon boasts the largest indoor entertainment venue in Saskatchewan – SaskTel Centre that has a hosting capacity for up to 15,000 people
- Diverse culinary scene
4. Regina, Saskatchewan
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $72,200 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,355 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $304,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,000 |
Highlights:
- Considered a tax haven because it has low-income taxes
- Parks, Wascana Lake, Saskatchewan Science Center
- It has cultural exhibits, including The Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the MacKenzie Art Gallery
5. Saint John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $68,026 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,378 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $341,400 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $491 |
Highlights:
- This 500-year-old city is one of the oldest in the “New World” and is the easterly city in North America
- Buying a house in St. John’s is significantly easier compared to other provinces
6. Barrie, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $70,314 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,753 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $429,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,400 |
Highlights:
- A summer and winter resort, with an economy based on services and diversified manufacturing
- The city of Barrie is located on the left side of Lake Simcoe and is renowned for its ski resorts and beaches, including Centennial Park, Johnson's Beach, and Minet's Point.
7. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $54,801 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,503 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $228,000 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,563 |
Highlights:
- Charlottetown is home to Anne of Green Gables, a magical show about a girl growing up simply
- A historic city has a variety of stunning old buildings including Gothic Revival St. Dunstan’s Basilica and greenery
8. Kitchener, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $67,698 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,101 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $349,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,730 |
Highlights:
- Known as a “tech hub”, has one of the strongest job markets in Canada
- University of Waterloo (8th best university in Canada)
- The twin city of Waterloo, and includes major employees like Research In Motion, Toyota Manufacturing, Manulife, and Sunlife Financial.
- German Heritage
- KOI Festival
9. Trois-Rivières, Quebec
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $45,916 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $3,388 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $169,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $641 |
Highlights:
- The major cultural center of the Mauricie region
- They have theatres, art galleries, a cultural center, a municipal library, a branch of the Archives nationales du Québec, and several museums
- Rich in history, Trois-Rivières’ architecture and monuments related to its history
10. Abbotsford, British Columbia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $64,993 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,006 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $499,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,275 |
Highlights:
- Operates and maintains 72 playgrounds
- It's famous for its farm country, the Abbotsford Airshow, and cheap gas
- Close to the US border
11. Winnipeg, Manitoba
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $60,874 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,834 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $377,165 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,675 |
Highlights:
- More than 1,000 Winnipeg parks for you to explore and festivals to enjoy in the summer
- The home of the Winnipeg Jets, the city's NHL team
- Outstanding arts and cultural scene
- The Historic intersection of the Red and Assiniboine rivers
- Longest skating rink in the world
12. Kingston, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $62,741 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,007 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $568,300 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,463 |
Highlights:
- Located on Lake Ontario’s foreshore, has been repeatedly named the best place to retire in Canada
- It offers an excellent quality of life, with a cool climate but sunshine about 45 percent of the year
- Limestone city and military history
- They have quality healthcare solutions
13. Sherbrooke, Quebec
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $47,553 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $3,776 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $249,000 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,125 |
Highlights:
- It is home to the university's cultural center, a symphony orchestra, and several theatre groups.
- They have Musée des beaux-arts, Sherbrooke Museum of Nature and Science and the Centre d'interprétation de l'histoire de Sherbrooke
14. Moncton, New Brunswick
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $55,057 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,407 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $295,208 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,675 |
Highlights:
- Maritime city close to the Atlantic Ocean
- Nicknamed “Hub City” because of its central inland location in the region and its history as a railway and land transportation hub for the Maritimes
- Best Parks, Trails, and Places In Moncton: Magnetic Hill, Mapletown Park, Irishtown Nature Park, Riverfront Park, Hopewell Rocks, and Centennial Park
- Other Tourist Spots: Bay of Fundy Tidal Bore, and the RCMP Memorial
15. Quebec City, Quebec
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $52,200 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,218 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $459,955 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,825 |
Highlights:
- Gorgeous scenery composed of old European architecture and greenery with the towering Château Frontenac Hotel and imposing Citadelle of Québec at the center of the old city
- Fort City built in 1608 on the Saint Lawrence River
- UNESCO world heritage sites
16. Thunder Bay, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $60,855 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,943 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $264,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,600 |
Highlights:
- Thunder Bay has plenty of lakefronts and many outdoor attractions including Lake Superior, historic Mount McKay, and the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
- Home to the World's 2nd largest curling rock outside the Fort William Gardens.
- An important transportation hub with its port forming an important link in the shipping of grain and other products from western Canada, through the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway, to the east coast
17. Saint John, New Brunswick
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $56,179 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,578 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $266,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,362 |
Highlights:
- It is a city located on the Bay of Fundy – the fastest tide change in the world
- Reversing Falls Rapids; 100 billion tons of water collide with the Saint John River at high tide, causing it to flow backward twice daily
- There’s a lot of history with a heritage building
- For a century different French forts were built in the area including Fort Howe, a fort constructed to defend during the American Revolution in 1733 and it still stands today.
18. Brampton, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $77,658 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $6,386 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $509,450 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,825 |
Highlights:
- Home to more than 75,000 businesses, the city's major business clusters include manufacturing, retail, and wholesale trade.
- Offering more than 9,000 acres of parkland, Brampton is a green city providing access to more than 850 parks, many recreational amenities, open spaces, and trails
19. Lethbridge, Alberta
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $65,351 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,377 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $342,250 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,507 |
Highlights:
- Known for its bright sunshine (more than 320 days per year), warm summers, and mild winters
- There is a lot of green space with over 130 parks
- Lethbridge Viaduct, the longest and highest steel trestle bridge in North America
20. Kelowna, British Columbia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $62,462 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,611 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $579,450 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,498 |
Highlights:
- Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland and several sandy beaches which provide wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing, and fishing
- Known for its internationally recognized and award-winning vineyards and wineries
- Offers great weather (2,000 hours of sunshine per year), stunning landscapes & outdoor spaces
21. Surrey, British Columbia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $68,060 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $6,162 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $650,000 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $3,245 |
Highlights:
- BC Vintage Truck Museum Cloverdale
- Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society Cloverdale
- Historic Stewart Farm South Surrey
- Museum of Surrey Cloverdale
- They have more than 800 parks—200 with amenities for people and 600 more to protect natural areas, open space, and biodiversity.
22. Hamilton, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $66,103 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $6,034 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $790,130 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,397 |
Highlights:
- Known for its industrial heritage
- Hamilton has a unique urban feel, art scenes, and a buzzing downtown
- Located between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment
- Hamilton offers access to nature trails, parks, waterfalls, and a lot more
- It's popular for those who are looking for a cheaper alternative to Toronto (70km by car)
23. Prince George, British Columbia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $67,537 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $6,172 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $279,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $1,795 |
Highlights:
- They have art galleries, more than 120 parks including Eskers Provincial Park, Fort George Canyon Provincial Park, and 1,600 nearby lakes and rivers
- The University of Northern British Columbia is located here and is another one of the cheapest cities for international students in Canada
24. St. Catharines, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $56,729 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,278 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $439,600 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,199 |
Highlights:
- Known as the “Garden City” for its gardens, parks, and vast hiking trails
- Niagara Region, the sixth-largest urban area in Ontario
- You may hike through Decew Falls, a winding path on the Bruce Trail that leads through narrow creeks, and a 22-meter waterfall
- Enjoy a sandy beach and harborfront surroundings in St. Catharines’ north end, known as Port Dalhousie
25. Windsor, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $58,780 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,502 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $139,900 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,100 |
Highlights:
- The Automotive Capital of Canada – famous for its connection to the original Ford Motor Factory
- Low cost of living with the affordable rental market and inexpensive food and transport
- Windsor enjoys the warmest climate of any of Ontario's cities
26. London, Ontario
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $57,607 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,494 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $683,509 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,500 |
Highlights:
- Known as the “Forest City” because of its trees and green space
- It has museums, parks, and the Thames River
- Close to the US border
- Home to the University of Western Ontario
27. Halifax, Nova Scotia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $59,166 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,940 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $484,800 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,575 |
Highlights:
- Major economic center in eastern Canada
- Home of Dalhousie University (11th best university in Canada)
28. Laval, Quebec
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $42,879 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $4,618 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $471,968 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,520 |
Highlights:
- Part of the Greater Montreal Area is set on Île Jésus on the Prairies River. There are waterfront trails and a Nature Center with gardens, ponds, and farm animals.
- Laval has the infrastructure for sports
- You may attend Laval Rocket games as well as concerts and shows. For amateur or elite swimmers, Laval residents will welcome the new aquatic complex in 2024 which will accommodate 875 swimmers and 600 spectators.
29. Montréal, Quebec
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $53,721 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $5,763 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $557,009 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,500 |
Highlights:
- The cultural hub in French Canada with plenty of entertainment venues, art, and culture
- European feel, the largest underground complex in the world, street performers at Place-Jacques Cartier, Inuit art at Galerie d'art Images Boréales, sunning at the Clock Tower Beach, or the Gothic Revival church Notre-Dame Basilica
- The second-largest economy in Canada
- It has the fifth-best University, the University of Montreal
30. Nanaimo, British Columbia
| Median Household Income After Taxes | $55,838 |
| Total Monthly Living Cost (Family of 4) | $6,109 |
| Average Home Price (3-Bedroom) | $842,500 |
| Average 3-bedroom apartment monthly rent | $2,640 |
Highlights:
- Nanaimo's most noted annual event is the “bathtub weekend” (during its Marine Festival) when “tubbers” from around the world race in motor-powered bathtubs from Nanaimo Harbor
- One of the cheaper cities for international students in Canada
- Common favorites in Nanaimo are the tidal lagoon at Pipers Park, sandstone rock formations at Malaspina Galleries, the Abyss fault line, and Ammonite Falls.
- Vancouver Island University campus
Sources:
- Household Income – Average and Median
- Rentals.ca November 2022 Rent Report
- National Price Map
- Prince George house sale price
- Average Prince George home price
- Lakes & Trails Circle Route | Super, Natural BC
- Housing challenges remain for vulnerable populations in 2021
- Cost of Living in Canada
- Average Rent in Prince George, BC and Cost Information
- Housing Markets of Major Cities in British Columbia
- Average Rent in Surrey, BC and Cost Information
- Winnipeg Housing Market
- Winnipeg, MB Rent Prices
- Ontario — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in London, ON and Cost Information
- London Housing Market Report
- Quebec — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Québec, QC and Cost Information
- Canadian House Prices – Living in Canada
- St. John's — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in St. John's, NL and Cost Information
- Median Price – Newfoundland and Labrador – CREA stats
- Montréal — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Montréal, QC and Cost Information – Zumper
- Montreal Housing Market Report
- Average Rent in Hamilton, ON and Cost Information
- Hamilton Housing Market Report
- Edmonton — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Edmonton, AB and Cost Information
- Edmonton Housing Market Report
- Nova Scotia — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Halifax, NS and Cost Information
- Average House Price in Halifax
- Alberta — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Red Deer, AB and Cost Information
- Alberta Housing Market Report
- Saskatchewan — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Regina, SK and Cost Information
- Regina Real Estate Statistics
- Market Report for Burnaby British Columbia
- Average Rent in Burnaby, BC and Cost Information
- Top Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Windsor, Ontario
- Average Rent in Windsor, ON and Cost Information
- Household Income – Average and Median
- Toronto — Household Income – Average and Median
- Brampton Housing Market Report
- Average Rent in Brampton, ON and Cost Information
- Kingston and Area Real Estate Association | CREA Statistics
- Average Rent in Kingston, ON and Cost Information – Zumper
- Saskatoon, SK – Canadian Real Estate Wealth
- Average Rent in Saskatoon, SK and Cost Information
- Top Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Kitchener, Ontario
- Average Rent in Kitchener, ON and Cost Information
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Kitchener Ontario
- Average Rent in Saint John, NB and Cost Information
- Saint John Real Estate Board | CREA Statistics
- Quebec — Household Income – Average and Median
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Trois-Rivières Quebec
- Average Rent in Trois-Rivières Centre Ville
- Average Rent in Sherbrooke, QC and Cost Information
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Sherbrooke Quebec
- Average Rent in Laval, QC and Cost Information
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Laval Quebec
- Lethbridge – Median Family Income
- Lethbridge Median Price | CREA Statistics
- Average Rent in Lethbridge, AB and Cost Information
- Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Abbotsford, BC and Cost Information
- Abbotsford, BC – Canadian Real Estate Wealth
- Average Rent in Nanaimo, BC and Cost Information
- Market Report for Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
- Average Rent in Charlottetown, PE and Cost Information
- Moncton — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in Moncton, NB and Cost Information – Zumper
- New Brunswick Real Estate Association
- Niagara — Household Income – Average and Median
- Average Rent in St. Catharines, ON and Cost Information
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Niagara Falls Ontario
- Average Rent in Niagara Falls, ON and Cost Information
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Thunder Bay Ontario
- Average Rent in Thunder Bay, ON and Cost Information
- Census Profile, 2016 Census – Weyburn … – Statistics Canada
- Top-Neighbourhoods | Market Report for Barrie Ontario
- Average Rent in Barrie, ON and Cost Information
