Fredericton is New Brunswick’s provincial capital, a bilingual university city of 65,000 people with a growing tech economy. A single person needs $2,100–$3,000/month — one of the lowest cost bases of any Canadian provincial capital.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,700 |
| Utilities (incl. heating) | $160 | $200 | $260 |
| Groceries | $330 | $430 | $540 |
| Transportation | $71 | $180 | $450 |
| Phone/internet | $85 | $115 | $155 |
| Health/gym | $40 | $70 | $150 |
| Entertainment | $70 | $180 | $380 |
| Dining out | $70 | $180 | $400 |
| Personal | $65 | $120 | $240 |
| Monthly Total | $2,041 | $2,875 | $4,275 |
| Annual Total | $24,492 | $34,500 | $51,300 |
Heating costs: New Brunswick winters are cold with significant heating demand. Natural gas and oil heat are common; expect $150–$300/month in peak winter months (January–March).
Housing Costs in Fredericton
| Type | Downtown/UNB Area | Northside | Southside/Suburbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,000 | $950 | $950 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,250 | $1,200 | $1,150 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,600 | $1,500 | $1,450 |
| 3-bedroom house | $2,100 | $1,900 | $1,850 |
Average home purchase price (2026): ~$330,000 detached; ~$220,000 condo.
Fredericton’s home prices are among the lowest of any Canadian provincial capital.
New Brunswick HST Considerations
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| HST (combined federal + provincial) | 15% |
| Provincial income tax effective (on $48K) | ~13.2% effective |
New Brunswick uses a 15% blended HST. Provincial income tax rates are moderate — the NB government has made rate reductions a priority in recent years.
Take-home pay on $48,000 salary in New Brunswick: ~$36,400/year ($3,033/month)
Transportation in Fredericton
| Option | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Fredericton Transit monthly pass | $71 |
| Car (insurance + gas + financing) | $550–$850 |
Transit service is limited to core routes. A car is near-essential for most residents. New Brunswick has some of Canada’s lowest car insurance costs.
Salary Needed to Live in Fredericton
| Lifestyle | Monthly Cost | Annual Need | Gross Salary Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,041 | $24,492 | ~$33,000 |
| Comfortable | $2,875 | $34,500 | ~$47,000 |
| Premium | $4,275 | $51,300 | ~$71,000 |
Major Employers in Fredericton
- Government: Province of New Brunswick (largest employer), City of Fredericton, Federal agencies
- Education: University of New Brunswick (UNB), St. Thomas University, New Brunswick Community College
- Healthcare: Horizon Health Network (Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital)
- Technology: Caris Life Sciences, Spielo (gaming tech), various startups
- Defence: Canadian Armed Forces Base Gagetown (one of Canada’s largest military bases, 40 min from downtown)
Fredericton vs Other Atlantic Cities
| City | Avg 1BR Rent | Monthly Budget (Comfortable) | vs Fredericton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | $1,900 | $3,500 | +22% |
| Moncton | $1,400 | $2,900 | +1% |
| Fredericton | $1,400 | $2,875 | — |
| St. John’s | $1,500 | $3,135 | +9% |
| Charlottetown | $1,600 | $3,200 | +11% |
Is Fredericton Worth It?
Pros:
- One of Canada’s most affordable provincial capitals
- Beautiful river valley, Kings Landing, outdoor recreation
- Strong government and university job stability
- Growing IT sector (Planet Hatch ecosystem, UNB computing)
- Bilingual city (English/French) — career advantage
Cons:
- Small city (65,000) — limited entertainment and nightlife
- Car-dependent
- 15% HST (one of Canada’s highest)
- Cold, icy winters
- Limited private-sector jobs outside government/tech
Related Guides
- Cost of living in Moncton
- Cost of living in Halifax
- Cost of living in St. John’s
- Cost of living in Canada
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