The 20 Cheapest Places to Live in Canada
Although people consider many factors when choosing a location in which to live, affordability is often top of their list. They try to find a place that has not only affordable property or rental prices but also a reasonable cost of living. Once they have found places that are within their budget, people can then start to compare each of the locations to find somewhere that offers them the lifestyle they desire. Some factors they may consider are education, employment, commutability, safety, community diversity, and what an area offers in terms of leisure activities and amenities. If you are trying to find somewhere affordable to live in Canada, then here are the 20 cheapest places to live in Canada for you to compare.
20. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
Sitting at the northern tip of Lake Champlain and on the banks of Richelieu River is Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. It is predominantly a French-speaking city that is home to more than 92 thousand people. It is within a commutable distance to Montreal, but most residents work in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. There are multiple employment opportunities in various sectors of the manufacturing industry, including wood products, food, and textiles. The average house price in this city is $315,632, so it just makes it onto the list of the cheapest places to live in Canada.
19. Longueuil, Quebec
The median property price in Longueuil, Quebec, is $315,177. Residents also have a median household income that is above the national average, and many people work in the aerospace industries in the area or at the John H. Chapman Space Centre. As Longueuil is a suburb of Montreal, there are also multiple employment opportunities in Montreal for those who are willing to commute. Although it is Montreal’s second-largest suburb with 240 thousand residents, Longueuil sits on the opposite side of the Saint Lawrence River.
18. Levis, Quebec
Although Quebec City is considered one of the most visually appealing places to live in Canada, living there is expensive. A fantastic compromise is to cross to the other side of the Saint Lawrence River to Levis, where the median house price is $309,397. Levis is a predominantly French-speaking city, as approximately 97 percent of the 144 thousand residents speak French as their first language. There are multiple employment opportunities in various sectors, including major manufacturers, shipbuilding, and a large refinery. Levis is also home to the headquarters of the Desjardins Group.
17. Weyburn, Saskatchewan
Also known as Opportunity City, Weyburn consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada, and the city’s affordability is one reason for this. The median real estate price is a little under $302 thousand. The biggest contributor to the city’s economy is the oil industry, but there are also jobs in many other industries, including gas and grain. Weyburn is the tenth-largest city in Saskatchewan, and it is home to 11 thousand people. It is under an hour from the border with the United States.
16. Brockville, Ontario
Brockville is one of the oldest cities in Canada, and it is also one of the most affordable. It is a popular tourist destination due to its picturesque surroundings, which include sandy beaches. Divers also flock to this location as it is known as one of the best shipwreck diving destinations in the world. Brockville also boasts excellent schools, outstanding restaurants, fantastic shopping opportunities, and beautiful hiking trails. The housing market is diverse, with options ranging from condos to townhouses. No matter which type of property you choose, you will find the prices affordable compared to many other cities in Canada, and the median house value is around $294 thousand.
15. Prince George, British Columbia
One of the most affordable places to live in British Columbia is Prince George. According to MSN Money, Prince George is the largest city in northern British Columbia. Employment opportunities are diverse in this city, and the average monthly salary is $3,633.50. The average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is around $878 a month, while basic utilities will cost a further $195 monthly. The median cost to purchase a property is just over $289 thousand.
14. Sarnia, Ontario
Sarnia sits at the confluence of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River just on the border with the United States. The city is known for its oil industry, as it is in Sarnia, where the Canadian oil industry originates. Other important elements of the economy are agriculture and petrochemicals. It is an affordable option in Ontario, as the median house price is a little over $277 thousand. Sarnia is known for Lakeport State Park, Canatara Beach & Park, and Blue Water Bridge.
13. Val-d’Or, Quebec
Val-d’Or is a predominantly French-speaking city in Quebec with approximately 32 thousand residents. It has an economy based on lithium and gold mining, and it offers some of the highest salaries in Canada, especially for mining engineers and geoscientists. Val-d’Or is also one of the cheapest places to live in Canada, and the median house price is just under $276 thousand. Val-d’Or is home to a large ski resort that is popular with both locals and tourists.
12. Wetaskiwin, Alberta
Wetaskiwin is a small town in Alberta under an hour south of Edmonton that was originally a siding town. Its economy is now based on agriculture, tourism, gas, and oil. Wetaskiwin is the cheapest place to live in Alberta and the 12th cheapest overall. The median cost of property in this town is just under $258 thousand. There are approximately 12,600 people living in this city. However, there is a downside to choosing to live in this cheap location as the Wetaskiwin Times says that Wetaskiwin was ranked as the third most dangerous city in Canada based on crime rates.
11. Drummondville, Quebec
Drummondville in Quebec was originally founded by British soldiers in 1812. Despite its British links, approximately 96 percent of the city’s 68 thousand residents speak French as their first language. The median property price in Drummondville is around $250 thousand. This city is northeast of Montreal and just south of Trois-Rivieres. One of the most popular attractions in this city is the Village Quebecois d’Antan, where visitors can learn about life in Quebec during the 19th-century. Drummondville is also the host of the poutine festival, which takes place annually.
10. Sainte-Marie, Quebec
With a median property price of under $244 thousand, Sainte-Marie in Quebec makes it into the top ten cheapest places to live in Canada. Around 99 percent of the city’s population speaks French as their first language, and it is home to under 13 thousand residents. Some of the most popular activities in the area include golfing and skiing, says Tourism Outaouais.
9. Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
Rouyn-Noranda sits on the border between Quebec and Ontario. It is on the shore of the Osisko Lake, and it is home to more than 42 thousand residents, 95 percent of whom are French-speaking. As the median property price in this location is around $240 thousand, it is considered an affordable place to live. Rouyn-Noranda has been given the nickname of the National Copper Capital as copper mining is at the center of the local economy.
8. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Fund My Travel names Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario is one of the cheapest places to live in Canada. They say that while Ontario is home to some of the most expensive cities in Canada, there are also some examples of cheap places to live. It is the district’s third-largest city, and there are employment opportunities across many sectors. There is also high-quality education and beautiful surroundings. It is a fantastic place to live for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, especially winter sports. The average monthly cost for renting in this city is $1,000, while the average cost of buying a property is just over $238 thousand.
7. Rimouski, Quebec
Rimouski sits on the shores of the largest estuary in the world, and it has been voted one of the happiest places to live in Canada. The natural environment provides the perfect playground for various leisure activities, including hiking, sea kayaking, and bird watching. One reason for this is the residents are not worried about their finances, as it is one of the country’s most affordable cities. The median price for renting a property is around the $800 mark, while the median property price is a little under $228 thousand. Rimouski is home to around 49 thousand people.
6. Saint-Georges, Quebec
The largest city in southern Quebec, Saint-Georges, is home to around 31 thousand people. One aspect of life in this city that residents enjoy is its affordability. The general cost of living is below the national average, and the median real estate price is under $220 thousand. Many people who live in this city work in manufacturing, as this is where most of the employment opportunities lie. Saint-Georges is home to the headquarters of Manac, a semi-trailer manufacturer.
5. Timmins, Ontario
Timmins is a popular place to live for nature lovers due to the stunning surroundings and the opportunities to enjoy outdoor pursuits. Within the city, there is a great vibe, so residents get the best of both worlds. Jobs are available in a diverse range of sectors, including foresting, mining, engineering, communications, IT, and retail. Primary real estate in this city has a median price of just under $214 thousand. An interesting fact about this location is that it is the hometown of country singer Shania Twain.
4. Cornwall, Ontario
Cornwall is the most affordable city in Ontario and the fourth most affordable city in Canada overall. The median property price in Cornwall is around $212 thousand. Cornwall is home to approximately 47 thousand people, and the economy is diverse, with multiple employment opportunities in various industries. This city is close to the border with the United States, and it sits on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River.
3. Quesnel, British Columbia
If British Columbia is your chosen location, then the most affordable city in this part of Canada is Quesnel. It is one of the smallest cities in Canada, and it is surrounded by a stunning landscape. Quesnel is in the North Cariboo region of the province. The residents of Quesnel enjoy a quiet lifestyle and enjoy feeling close to nature. An interesting fact is that Quesnel has the lowest tax rate in Canada. The property prices are also low, with a median price of under $210 thousand. In addition to the affordability of this city, other advantages, including excellent schools and thriving industries that offer job opportunities.
2. Becancour, Quebec
The two factors that draw people to Becancour in Quebec are the employment opportunities and the affordability of the area. It is an industrial city that is home to some major plants in the refractory metals, industrial parts, and petroleum products sectors. There are also opportunities in the aeronautics industry. The residential areas of the city house 12,500 residents, and many residents commute to the other side of the Saint Lawrence River to work in Trois-Rivieres. It is an affordable place to live because the average price of real estate is less than $207 thousand, and the general cost of living is lower than the country’s average. It is also worth noting that the average salaries in this area are above the national average.
Sept-Iles, Quebec
According to Slice Canada, the cheapest place to live in Canada is Sept-Iles, Quebec, as the median house price is $204 thousand. It is a city in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec that sits on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Sept-Isles is a major cruise port, so there are many jobs in the tourism and services sectors. However, aluminum and iron also play an important part in the city’s economy. It is home to 28,500 people, most of whom are French-speaking.
