A new ranking has listed the cheapest provinces to live in that also offer the best quality of life in Canada in 2025.
MovingWaldo, a moving company based in Montreal, has compiled the list based on factors such as the safety of neighbourhoods, housing prices, rental costs, and the overall average cost of living.
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Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living and average housing prices, as compiled by MovingWaldo.
| Province | Average monthly cost of living | Average 1-bedroom apartment monthly rent | Average property buying cost |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $2,411.87 | $845 | $297,000 |
| New Brunswick | $2,341.21 | $1,274 | $308,800 |
| Saskatchewan | $2,531.25 | $1,228 | $344,800 |
| Manitoba | $2,696.7 | $1,381 | $376,770 |
| Prince Edward Island | $2,718.14 | $850 | $365,600 |
| Quebec | $2,665.56 | $1,776 | $525,732 |
| Nova Scotia | $3,101.53 | $2,100 | $564,000 |
Details about the top-ranking affordable cities in Canada offering a great standard of living, as reported by MovingWaldo, are listed below, along with information on immigration pathways for each of the provinces listed.
Foreign nationals who wish to settle in provinces other than Quebec can pursue permanent residence through Canada’s federal Express Entry system, and can settle in any province.
For foreign nationals who wish to settle in particular provinces, the provinces’ Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can sometimes provide an easier route to permanent residence for foreign nationals with lower scores in Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada’s easternmost province came up top due to a number of factors.
The cost of living – which includes housing prices and rent – ranked as cheapest in the country.
The province’s mix of urban and rural life, strong facilities, and vibrant culture—set against stunning nature—helped it top the list. Booming industries like mining, hydro power, and fishing, plus low tuition fees, added to its appeal.
Immigration Pathways:
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) is the province’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
It has one enhanced category, the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category. The other categories are base categories.
Those wishing to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador can look into the following options:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker.
- Skilled Worker Category.
- International Graduate Category.
- International Entrepreneur Category.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
Those looking to immigrate to Newfoundland and Labrador can also apply under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), if they are eligible. This gives skilled workers and international graduates the chance to gain permanent residence in Canada’s Atlantic provinces through a job offer from a designated employer.
The NLPNP recently re-negotiated its provincial immigration allocation from the federal government, receiving about double the number of immigration spots as the federal government had originally given the province. Newfoundland received these additional spots in exchange for agreeing to accept 290 refugees over the next three years.
Note: An enhanced category is one that is aligned with the federal Express Entry system. A base category is one that is not aligned with the Express Entry system.
New Brunswick
The largest of the Maritime provinces, New Brunswick also features an extremely low cost of living, fuelled by the low cost of housing and renting.
MovingWaldo also points out its cost-effective essential services (like water, gas, and electricity) which are notably cheaper than the national average as a big perk.
On the flip side, it does state that the low cost of housing is a direct result of less employment.
Immigration pathways
Those who wish to immigrate to New Brunswick can apply through the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP).
It features five immigration streams:
- Express Entry Stream.
- Skilled Workers Stream.
- Business Immigration Stream.
- Strategic Initiative Stream.
- Critical Worker Pilot.
Those interested can also look at the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan also features a relatively low cost of living, and affordable housing options.
Apart from that, a highlight is that it happens to be Canada’s “sunniest” province, allowing for more time outdoors for residents.
Immigration pathways
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is the province’s official Provincial Nominee Program. It includes four streams:
- International Skilled Worker Category.
- Saskatchewan Experience Category.
- Entrepreneur and Farm Category.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
The International Skilled Worker Category includes the Saskatchewan Express Entry, an enhanced sub-category.
Manitoba
Some perks of living in Manitoba include incredibly low hydroelectricity rates and unique festivals during the summer months.
Manitoba is known for its chilly winters, so those planning to move there might want to brace themselves for the winter months.
Immigration pathways
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is the province’s PNP. It encompasses a number of PR pathways within three streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream.
- International Education Stream (IES).
- Business Investor.
Of these, the Skilled Worker Stream features two pathways: Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM), and Skilled Worker Overseas (SWO). The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream includes the Manitoba Express Entry Pathway, an Express Entry aligned pathway (for those who have an active Express Entry profile).
Prince Edward Island
Canada’s smallest Canadian province features in the fifth place, thanks to its affordable housing.
As the list points out, the province also has plenty of beauty natural beauty, opportunities for outdoor activities such as cycling and swimming, and delectable local cuisine (including its lobsters).
Immigration pathways
Those interested in the province can look into Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). It has the following pathways:
- PEI PNP Express Entry Category (an enhanced category for those with Express Entry profiles).
- Labour Impact Category.
- Business Impact Category.
Foreign workers can also consider the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) for immigration to this province (if they have a valid job offer from a designated employer).
Quebec
Although the cost of housing in Quebec may be significantly higher than in other provinces featured on this list, housing in Quebec is still much cheaper than housing in Ontario and British Columbia.
Moreover, the cost of living itself – taking into consideration groceries, transportation and utilities – makes Quebec a good contender for this list.
Immigration pathways
Quebec is unique because it has its own immigration system. Quebec exerts more control over its yearly selection of skilled workers and immigrants, and focuses on French speaking candidates.
The most popular options for those interested in immigrating to Quebec are as follows:
- Quebec Skilled Worker Program: For people who wish to immigrate to Quebec as a skilled worker whether they are abroad or in the province. This pathway is currently on pause until June 20, 2025.
- Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): For temporary foreign workers or foreign students who have graduated in Quebec. It has two streams:
(a) Temporary foreign workers; and
(b) Quebec graduates (this stream is also pause until June 30, 2025).
Quebec applicants must first get a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before applying for PR with the federal government.
Nova Scotia
Finally, this list is rounded off by Nova Scotia.
While Nova Scotia still features a fairly expensive cost of housing – especially compared to others on the list – it is still generally more affordable than in Ontario and British Columbia.
Other perks include a vibrant culture, scenic trails, and beautiful beaches for those who love the outdoors.
Immigration pathways:
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is a provincial immigration program for those who want to settle in Nova Scotia. It offers a number of enhanced and base streams.
Enhanced streams:
- Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities.
- Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities for Physicians.
Base streams:
- Occupations in Demand.
- Critical Construction Worker Pilot.
- International Graduates in Demand.
- International Graduate Entrepreneur.
- Entrepreneur.
- Physician.
- Healthcare Professionals Immigration Pilot (Letter of Interest).
Nova Scotia also welcomes immigrants under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).
Methodology:
MovingWaldo has analyzed property prices based on the Canadian Real Estate Association’s average buying cost and Zumper’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Cost of living data was derived from Numbeo, based on the most populous city of each province.
The company also factored in feedback from people in their database who moved to these areas, specifically on aspects such as job opportunities, quality of education, quality of healthcare, feelings of safety, public transportation, the environment, and the availability of recreational facilities and parks.
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