How does the cost of living compare across Canadian provinces? Housing, groceries, transportation, and taxes all vary significantly. Here’s the full breakdown.
Table of Contents
Cost of Living Index by Province
Indexed against the national average (100):
| Province | Overall Index | Housing | Groceries | Transportation | Utilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 121 | 145 | 108 | 112 | 102 |
| Ontario | 115 | 135 | 105 | 108 | 110 |
| Alberta | 98 | 90 | 105 | 95 | 105 |
| Quebec | 90 | 82 | 102 | 98 | 78 |
| Manitoba | 87 | 72 | 103 | 95 | 88 |
| Saskatchewan | 86 | 68 | 104 | 92 | 94 |
| New Brunswick | 88 | 70 | 106 | 98 | 95 |
| Nova Scotia | 92 | 80 | 108 | 100 | 98 |
| Prince Edward Island | 90 | 75 | 110 | 98 | 92 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 88 | 58 | 112 | 102 | 100 |
Key insight: Housing is the primary driver of cost-of-living differences between provinces.
Monthly Budget Breakdown by Province
Estimated monthly costs for a single person:
| Category | BC (Vancouver) | ON (Toronto) | AB (Calgary) | QC (Montreal) | MB (Winnipeg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-BR) | $2,650 | $2,480 | $1,680 | $1,550 | $1,220 |
| Groceries | $450 | $430 | $420 | $400 | $400 |
| Transportation | $150 | $160 | $130 | $100 | $120 |
| Utilities | $130 | $160 | $180 | $100 | $140 |
| Phone/Internet | $120 | $115 | $110 | $95 | $105 |
| Health (non-provincial) | $80 | $80 | $80 | $50 | $60 |
| Entertainment | $200 | $200 | $180 | $170 | $150 |
| Total | $3,780 | $3,625 | $2,780 | $2,465 | $2,195 |
For a Family of Four
| Category | BC (Vancouver) | ON (Toronto) | AB (Calgary) | QC (Montreal) | SK (Saskatoon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent/Mortgage (3-BR) | $4,200 | $3,800 | $2,400 | $2,200 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $1,200 | $1,150 | $1,100 | $1,050 | $1,050 |
| Childcare (1 child) | $1,200 | $1,300 | $900 | $200* | $800 |
| Transportation | $650 | $600 | $500 | $450 | $400 |
| Utilities | $250 | $290 | $310 | $180 | $260 |
| Phone/Internet | $180 | $175 | $170 | $150 | $160 |
| Insurance (auto + home) | $350 | $380 | $280 | $250 | $240 |
| Total | $8,030 | $7,695 | $5,660 | $4,480 | $4,510 |
*Quebec has subsidized daycare at approximately $9/day.
Housing Costs by Province
Housing is by far the biggest cost-of-living variable:
| Province | Avg. Rent (2-BR) | Avg. Home Price | Mortgage Payment (20% down) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $2,575 | $958,000 | $4,459 |
| Ontario | $2,435 | $868,000 | $4,040 |
| Alberta | $1,780 | $485,000 | $2,258 |
| Quebec | $1,530 | $518,000 | $2,411 |
| Manitoba | $1,380 | $362,000 | $1,685 |
| Saskatchewan | $1,270 | $325,000 | $1,513 |
| Nova Scotia | $1,620 | $395,000 | $1,838 |
| New Brunswick | $1,340 | $318,000 | $1,480 |
For personalized housing costs, see our mortgage payment calculator and average home prices by province.
Grocery Costs by Province
Average monthly grocery costs for common items:
| Item | BC | ON | AB | QC | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (4L) | $6.85 | $6.49 | $6.29 | $6.95 | $6.59 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.89 | $3.49 | $3.59 | $3.79 | $3.65 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $4.89 | $4.49 | $4.19 | $4.59 | $4.49 |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $14.99 | $13.99 | $12.99 | $14.49 | $13.99 |
| Ground beef (1kg) | $12.49 | $11.99 | $10.99 | $11.99 | $11.79 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | $5.49 | $4.99 | $4.79 | $5.29 | $5.09 |
| Rice (2kg) | $6.99 | $6.49 | $5.99 | $6.49 | $6.39 |
Remote provinces (Newfoundland, PEI, Territories) pay 10-15% more for groceries due to transportation costs.
Tax Burden by Province
Provincial taxes significantly affect take-home pay:
| Province | Top Marginal Rate | Sales Tax (GST+PST) | No Health Premium? |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 53.5% | 12% (GST+PST) | Yes |
| Ontario | 53.53% | 13% (HST) | Ontario Health Premium |
| Alberta | 48% | 5% (GST only) | Yes |
| Quebec | 53.31% | 14.975% (GST+QST) | Yes |
| Manitoba | 50.4% | 12% (GST+PST) | Yes |
| Saskatchewan | 47.5% | 11% (GST+PST) | Yes |
| New Brunswick | 52.5% | 15% (HST) | Yes |
| Nova Scotia | 54% | 15% (HST) | Yes |
| PEI | 51.37% | 15% (HST) | Yes |
| Newfoundland | 54.8% | 15% (HST) | Yes |
Alberta stands out with the lowest top marginal rate and no provincial sales tax.
For detailed tax calculations, see our provincial tax brackets pages.
Most Affordable Cities in Canada
Ranked by overall affordability (housing costs + other expenses relative to local median income):
| Rank | City | Avg. 2-BR Rent | Avg. Home Price | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regina | $1,320 | $318,000 | $72,000 |
| 2 | Saskatoon | $1,380 | $340,000 | $70,000 |
| 3 | Winnipeg | $1,480 | $365,000 | $65,000 |
| 4 | Edmonton | $1,720 | $395,000 | $80,000 |
| 5 | St. John’s | $1,280 | $290,000 | $58,000 |
| 6 | Fredericton | $1,350 | $305,000 | $56,000 |
| 7 | Calgary | $2,050 | $565,000 | $88,000 |
| 8 | Quebec City | $1,250 | $350,000 | $60,000 |
Key Takeaways
- BC and Ontario are the most expensive provinces — driven almost entirely by housing costs
- Alberta offers the best overall value for higher earners — low taxes, no PST, moderate housing
- Quebec has the lowest childcare costs thanks to $9/day subsidized daycare — a major advantage for families
- Prairie provinces (SK, MB) offer the most affordable housing but have higher utility costs and limited urban amenities
- Groceries and transportation vary less between provinces — housing and taxes create the biggest gaps
