13 Cheapest Places to live in Canada in 2025

Canada is a country located in North America whose capital city is Ottawa. The country has ten provinces and three territories extending to the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.

Canada is also known for its education systems, health care system and overall safety. This often attracts visitors from all over the world. You also see a lot of students coming to continue with their studies.

There are several universities to accommodate international students. Since the economy is also on the upside, there are several job opportunities for the youth.

Since a lot of people are relocating, it is important for them to identify areas that are relatively cheap to stay.

For that matter, we shall discuss the cheapest cities to live in Canada. We shall mostly consider the cheap urban areas in Canada.

 

13 Cheapest Places to live in Canada

• Regina
• Moose Jaw
• Quebec City
• Saskatoon
• Montreal
• Abbotsford
• Lethbridge
• Fredericton
• Thetford mines
• Sherbrooke
• Kitchener, Ontario
• Saguenay, Quebec
• Kelowna

13 Cheapest Places to live in Canada

1. Regina

Regina is the capital city of Saskatchewan province, Canada. It is the second largest city in the province behind Saskatoon and is often referred to as the Queen’s City.

Most residents in the city admire its history and relatively low living costs. To put it into perspective, Statistics Canada says that the average household income in Regina is CAD 93,700 per year.

Considering that income, your living expenses inclusive of rent per month are estimated to be around CAD 2,200 for a single person. Even with a family of four, you can spend on average CAD 6,000 including rent per month.

There are several universities for your kids to enjoy the best education Canada has to offer which include University of Regina, Campion College, Eston College and Luther College High School. Since the area is experiencing major growth, there are a lot of opportunities for you to get a well-paying job after coming into the city.

There are also several leisure areas, museums and galleries to check out including Royal Saskatchewan Museum, RCMP Heritage Center, MacKenzie Art Gallery and Mosaic Stadium.

If you are looking for a cheap urban place to settle in Canada, this is your best bet.

 

2. Moose Jaw

This is a small town located in Canada’s Saskatchewan province. The city is primarily known for its military presence that hails from NATO’s world class flight training school.

Having a population of just under 34000, the city is also home to the renown Canadian aerobatic flight squad, The Snowbirds.

The high military presence makes it a safe environment for businesses to boom. There are jobs in several sectors which could help you earn a decent salary to live off.

The average cost of living in Moose Jaw is CAD 1474 without rent. A one-bedroom apartment goes for a measly CAD 989 in the city. For tourists, the best time to come is during the winter for activities like skiing.

However, you can also check out several places like Crescent Park and Garden, Little Chicago Entertainment, Moose Jaw Cultural Centre, Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery and the Buffalo Pound Provincial Park. For education, you are limited to Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

 

3. Quebec City

Quebec City stands as one of the oldest cities in the country. It is located in the French Speaking province of Quebec. The city is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the only walled city in North America.

It has various districts including Upper Town (Old Québec), Montcalm and Saint Roch. Upper Town is riddled with several sites including churches and military sites.

This is the area with the most expensive homes. Montcalm is the art district and is home to several fine arts museums including Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ).

Saint Roch has several restaurants to enjoy both local and international cuisines. It is also the cheapest neighborhood in the city. While in the city, these are the districts that usually catch the eye of residents and visitors alike.

You can also check out the Laurentian Mountains for skiing during winter. The cost of living in the city for a single person with rent are CAD 2,800 and approximately CAD 6,500 for a family of four.

It also has access to the good universities like Laval University, Teluq University and University of Quebec at Rimouski.

 

4. Saskatoon

Saskatoon is another cheap city for you to live in. It is the largest and most populous city located in Saskatchewan province, Canada.

The city is straddled by the South Saskatchewan River. Interestingly, the city is named after a local red berry. The area is filled with several galleries and museums.

The city is often filled with visitors in the winter who come to check out the ski trails. It is also home to several education institutions like University of Saskatchewan, Horizon College and seminary and Saskatoon Teachers’ college.

Being an active urban center, there are several businesses that offer employment and a living wage for its residents. Though it is an urban center, you can get a one-bedroom apartment for as low as CAD 1,260.

You’d only have to spend CAD 1,285 per month on other essentials and bills. The numbers are similar to a family since you can get a house for as low as CAD 1,500.

The expenditure may vary depending on the location but on average it stands at CAD 4,390. If you ask me, this is a fair deal for a city.

 

5. Montreal

Montreal is mostly known as the largest French speaking Quebec province. It is located on an island in the Saint Lawrence River with several neighborhoods that make it a charming cosmopolitan city.

It attracts a number of tourists that come to experience the French Colonial designed neighborhoods which are the main attraction on the island.

Just like most French towns across the globe, there are several museums and restaurants which remain part of the great French culture.

Some laces to check out include Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal Botanical Garden, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, Montreal Biodome and Parc La Fontaine.

If you are looking to upgrade your education, Montreal has a number of affordable and good universities including McGill University, University of Montreal, Concordia University, Vanier College and Cegep Saint Laurent.

The average rent for a single bedroom apartment in the city center is CAD 1488 while the living expenses for a single person are CAD 1220 per month. Montreal gives you a great city living experience.

 

6. Abbotsford

Abbotsford is a city found in British Columbia, Canada. Adjacent to the Canada-United States Border, it is the second largest municipality in the province.

Living in Abbotsford would cost CAD 1,000 per month exclusive of rent. If you have a small family of about 3 to 4 people, the cost of living can rise to CAD 1,800 for the month.

This includes food, groceries, entertainment and transportation around the city. In terms of rent, you can locate a one-bedroom house or apartment for as low CAD 1,200.

The city is home to Cultus Lake, Maan Farms Market and Estate Winery and The Reach Gallery Museum among other tourist attractions.

Due to its proximity to the Canada-United States border, it is fairly common to run into tourists pouring in from America thus the vibrant tourism industry.

Most people just relocate for the evergreen scenery present in the area. Even when you relocate with your family, there are 40+ education options for parents to explore on behalf of their children.

Plus, there are several job opportunities that you can tap into to make a living. You can also get access to great education at University of the Fraser Valley.

 

7. Lethbridge

Close to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Lethbridge is a city located in Alberta. Until recently, the population was low.

Its growth is attributed to a host of factors including the conducive weather conditions and low costs of living.

Aside from that, the city’s job opportunities have grown massively in sectors including hospitality, education, retail, healthcare, and agriculture.

At the moment, you need just over CAD 2,100 to go through a month in the city. This increases if you have a small family with you.

Depending on your budget, you would need CAD 2,000 to sustain the family minus rent. There are also great education options for your children.

The colleges include Lethbridge College, University of Lethbridge and Reeves College. There are also great options for daycare if your children are still young.

Due to the unlimited access to the Canadian mountains, this is perhaps the cheapest place for nature lovers.

 

8. Fredericton

Fredericton is the capital of New Brunswick province, Canada. It is located in Eastern Canada on St. John River. In the 18th century, Fredericton was home to a British Army base known as Historic Garrison District.

It has since been turned into the venue for a Changing of the Guard Ceremony, studios and an outdoor theatre. Home to a charming artistic enclave, Fredericton hosts the Annual Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival that attracts international guests.

Other places to check out include Boyce Farmers’ Market, Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Odell Park and Fredericton Region Museum.

If you are to move to the city, you should know that the cost of living is estimated to be CAD 2,500 inclusive of rent. For a family of four, you have to spend around CAD 6,500 inclusive of rent per year.

There are several opportunities for you to get employment so that you can supplement your household income.

Life in the city is largely favorable for artists due to the thriving arts community. For education, you can check out University of Fredericton, Yorkville University, Lansbridge University and Maritime College of Forest Technology Main Office.

 

9. Thetford mines

Known for its exports worldwide, Thetford Mines is another cost friendly area to stay at. The city is located in South-Central Québec, a province in Canada.

It is also commonly referred to as the Asbestos capital of Canada because of the discovery of large deposits of asbestos in the late 1800s.

Although there are restrictions on the use of asbestos in Canada, a new market has been found in Asia, the Middle East, South and Central America.

They are also known as the largest producers of maple syrup in Canada. This offers a number of job opportunities to the residents in the area.

People are often attracted to the city because of its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains which facilitates a number of games during the winter. They include skiing and snowmobiling.

When it comes to rent, a one-bedroom apartment costs as low as CAD 500 per month while the living expenses can be as low as CAD 900 per month.

This is manageable compared to other cities in Québec and Canada overall.

 

10. Sherbrooke

Another cheap city to live in is Sherbrooke. Located in Quebec Province, the city is surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers. Sherbrooke’s cost of living is approximately 21% lower than that of Toronto.

It also serves as a prominent manufacturing and service sector in the region. Just like most areas in Québec, the city is filled with a lot of French speaking people.

This means that moving to this area is highly favorable to French speakers or you can opt to learn the language.

That aside, Sherbrooke has several national parks, museums and galleries that keep its residents and visitors occupied. If you are coming in with a family, the city has several universities including Université de Sherbrooke and Bishop’s College.

This means that you have plenty of education options for your kids. You can go through a month with CAD 920 to cover food, utilities and transport with a house going for an extra CAD 1,000 per month.

 

11. Kitchener, Ontario

Kitchener is commonly known as the twin city of Waterloo. It is famous for being home to prestigious universities namely University of Waterloo and Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology.

Kitchener has a strong German heritage and holds the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside Germany. The city is a destination for those looking to get into the tech industry.

The average monthly expenses without rent for a single person are CAD 850 and a single bedroom apartment in the city center costs CAD 1650.

Basic utilities can take up CAD 200 a month. Most residents are employed in the manufacturing sector. Major employers include Research in Motion and Toyota.

Tourists come to the city for the music festivals like Kitchener Blues Festival and the Kultrun World Music Festival.

You can also check out Victoria Park, Huron Natural Park, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Doon Heritage Village, Center in the Square, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and Chicopee Tube Park.

In the winter, you can also check out the Chicopee Ski resort for the best skiing experience in the region.

 

12. Saguenay, Quebec

Saguenay, formerly known as Chicoutimi, is a city located in the Southern Quebec province in Canada. It is bordered by the Saguenay River.

The river supports the extensive hydroelectric development that provides huge power for a huge smelting plant in the surrounding areas.

Due to its relatively small population, most of the businesses are family owned with limited tourists coming in to the city. Saguenay is a good place for young professionals and families as it was ranked amongst the safest cities in Canada.

The average monthly expenses without rent are CAD 760 and the average monthly rent per month is CAD 600 for single bedroom in the city center.

There are several places you can check out like Parc dela Riviere-du-Moulin, Musee du Fjord, Air Defense Museum, Alpaga Bersi, Place du Royaume, Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park, Saguenay Fjord National Park and Zone Portuaire de Chicoutimi.

You can also pursue education at College Multihexa, The Universite du Quebec a Chicoutimi and College Mulihexa.

 

13. Kelowna

This is a city located in the province of British Columbia. Serving as the main city, it is found on the shores of Lake Okanagan surrounded by pine forests.

According to locals, the name ‘Kelowna’ was derived from the word meaning ‘Grizzly bear’ in Okanagan.

The city has a relatively small population slightly below 150,000. Residents mostly find work in the service industry.

Despite being a small city, Kelowna residents earn salaries similar to those in big cities like Toronto despite having a lower standard of living.

You can also start a business to tap into the seasonal tourists who come for various activities including skiing and visiting the vineyards.

The average cost of living in the city minus rent is CAD 856 per month. Rent for a single bedroom apartment in the city is CAD 1732 while the cost of utilities is CAD 130.

That aside, you can also access great education for your kids using several universities and colleges surrounding the city.

They include Okanagan College, Focus College, Centre for Arts and Technology.

The cities mentioned above are the cheapest urban cities you can relocate to. For a new place, more consideration is put into the quality of life, crime rate, employment, education and general cost of living.

The cities in the list give you a slice of all these factors.

Make a choice and start your life afresh in the most affordable Canadian Cities.