Key Takeaways
- Some of the cheapest places to live in New Brunswick include Miramichi, Bathurst, Edmundston, Dieppe, Moncton, Fredericton, Rothesay, and Quispamsis.
- Officially, New Brunswick is a bilingual province, but about a third of its inhabitants are francophones.
- Living in New Brunswick comes with several advantages, such as welcoming locals, striking landscapes, and low cost of housing.
New Brunswick is an attractive immigration destination for individuals who want to downsize — those who want to live a simpler, no-frills lifestyle.
It’s one of Canada’s smallest provinces and is home to some of the biggest French-speaking communities.
If you’re planning to move to New Brunswick but still don’t know where this article is for you. We’ve listed ten of the best places to live in New Brunswick, along with the pros and cons of living in New Brunswick, to help you make the right decision.
Top 10 Places to Live in New Brunswick
| City / Town | Livability Score | Average Cost of Buying a Home | Average Cost of Renting a 1-Bedroom Apartment |
| Saint John | 86 | $289,000 | $975 |
| Riverview | 73 | $363,950 | $1,150 |
| Edmundston | 74 | $263,873 | $486 |
| Dieppe | 80 | $385,436 | $1,155 |
| Quispamsis | 65 | $299,200 | $1,052 |
| Moncton | 76 | $323,700 | $1,200 |
| Fredericton | 84 | $281,600 | $1,250 |
| Bathurst | 56 | $292,450 | $614 |
| Rothesay | 60 | $437,000 | Data not found |
| Miramichi | 59 | $232,450 | $650 |
Best Places to Live In New Brunswick
1. Dieppe
Dieppe, New Brunswick, tops the list of the best places in New Brunswick because of its low cost of living, exponential population growth, and bilingual workforce.
Dieppe has implemented initiatives for renewable energy, water management, and air quality, making it an eco-friendly city.
| City | Dieppe |
| Population | 28,114 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $385,436 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,155 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,252 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% |
2. Moncton
Moncton has gained a reputation for being one of the best cities in New Brunswick because it’s the number one city in Canada for labour market performance.
Everything in Moncton is close by, as you can get around on foot, using a bike, or by public transportation. Plus, you can get to enjoy countless events in the city all year round!
| City | Moncton |
| Population | 79,470 |
| Average Cost of Living (one person, without rent) | $,320.60 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $323,700 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,200 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,257 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.1% |
3. Fredericton
Aside from being cheaper than other urban cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, Fredericton offers high-quality education. It’s one of the most scenic cities in the province, as it has several trails and parks ideal for running, walking, and biking.
And thanks to the number of pubs and restaurants around the city, you’ll always have something to do here.
| City | Fredericton |
| Population | 63,116 |
| Average Cost of Living (one person, without rent) | $1,262.60 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $281,600 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,250 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 4,761 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% |
4. Saint John
Saint John is one of the cheapest places to live in New Brunswick. In fact, Saint John was named the 6th most affordable city in the world for middle-income earners.
The city operates the most extensive transportation system in the province and has become more accessible to immigrants through the Saint John International Airport.
| City | Saint John |
| Population | $69,895 |
| Average Cost of Living (one person, without rent) | $1,390 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $289,000 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $975 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,835 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% |
5. Edmundston
The economy of Edmunston is centred on the paper industry, with the Saint John River providing water for paper manufacturers. Edmundston is home to the regional hospital for the area and is one of the safest cities in New Brunswick.
The city is 95% francophone, making it the largest predominantly francophone city in the province.
| City | Edmundston |
| Population | 16,437 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $263,873 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $486 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,781 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% |
Related: Best Places To Visit in New Brunswick.
Best Small Towns in New Brunswick
6. Riverview
Riverview is a friendly town and encourages residents to be closer to nature as it’s located between Fundy Biosphere and the Petitcodiac River.
Here, you can live, work, and raise a family. Settling in Riverview will be easy because of its friendly neighbours and low crime rates.
| Town | Riverview |
| Population | 20,584 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $363,950 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,150 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,528 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% |
7. Quispamsis
Quispamsis is one of the best small towns in New Brunswick due to its safety and quality of life. It’s a progressive and vibrant community that offers several residential opportunities for different family units.
This town is home to some of the best recreational areas, schools, and places of worship. It’s an excellent town for older residents as it hosts a number of community programs and implements wellness initiatives.
| Town | Quispamsis |
| Population | 18,768 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $299,200 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,052 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 2,374 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% |
8. Bathurst
Bathurst is one of RATESDOTCA’s Top 10 Places to Call Home for 2021. It has stunning scenery and a long list of outdoor activities on land and water.
The town’s population barely exceeds 30,000, making it a calm place to live and settle. It’s a hidden gem as it offers various recreational possibilities supporting healthier lifestyles.
| Town | Bathurst |
| Population | 12,157 |
| Average Cost of Living (one person, with rent) | $1,366 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $292,450 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $614 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 6,622 |
| Unemployment Rate | 12.1% |
9. Rothesay
Rothesay is perfect for families because it has something to offer to children and adults of all ages. This town is ideal for starting and raising a family, as it was awarded as one of the safest places in Canada in 2018.
The residents of this small town also have access to beach sites, local park areas, hiking trails, wharves, and playground areas for children.
| Town | Rothesay |
| Population | 11,977 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $437,000 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $1,026 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 3,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7% |
10. Miramichi
There are plenty of reasons to live in Miramichi. For starters, this town is known to have the friendliest and most welcoming neighbours. It houses countless restaurants, meaning you’ll always have access to great food.
The economy of Miramichi is primarily focused on fishing, forestry, and mining but also offers job opportunities in the service sector.
| Town | Miramichi |
| Population | 17,692 |
| Average Cost of Buying a Home | $232,450 |
| Average Cost of Renting a One-bedroom Apartment | $650 |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 people) | 5,756 |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.1% |
Living in New Brunswick: Pros and Cons
Pros
Cost of Housing
Compared to other Canadian provinces, the cost of buying a house in New Brunswick is cheaper. Prices for renting a house are also more affordable here.
Of course, the price you’ll pay will depend on the location. But if you choose to live outside of major cities, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for less than $500.
Houses in rural areas are also cheaper — you can own a small house for $40,000.
Welcoming Locals
New Brunswick is known to have warm and welcoming residents. According to Statista, there are 812,061 people living in the province, giving residents the opportunity to create and maintain close-knit communities.
Nature
New Brunswick is the place to be for people who love to spend time outdoors and with nature. It offers pristine wilderness just waiting for you to kayak, camp, and hike your way through. This province has a lot in store — whether you’re looking for adventures in the woods, on the water, or up in the air.
Cons
Low-Quality Public Services
The downside of affordable housing and low taxes in New Brunswick is low-quality public services, such as transit, education, and healthcare. In fact, living in remote or rural areas in the province means limited access to garbage collection services, the internet, and other amenities.
How to Choose the Best Places to Live in New Brunswick
You need to consider several factors when choosing the best place to live in New Brunswick. Ideally, you should look into the following:
- Your housing budget
- Cost of living
- Job opportunities
- Culture and entertainment
- Climate
- Crime rates
- Education system
- Public transportation
For example, if your housing budget is limited, consider Moncton and Fredericton. The average price for renting a one-bedroom apartment in Moncton is $889, and $945 in Fredericton.
It’s also important to check if your skill sets match the job opportunities available in the place you’re eyeing to move to.
For instance, if you’re a civil engineer, working in one of the province’s largest cities, like Saint John, lets you earn up to $143,957 a year.
By using these factors to narrow down your options, you can avoid ending up in one of the worst places to live in New Brunswick, Canada.
Top 5 Best Places to Live in New Brunswick: Comparison
| City / Town | Livability Score | Average Cost of Buying a Home | Average Cost of Renting a 1-Bedroom Apartment |
| Saint John | 81 | $198,400 | $849 |
| Riverview | 81 | $222,600 | $1,040 |
| Edmundston | 80 | $170,000 | $681 |
| Dieppe | 80 | $273,600 | $1,155 |
| Quispamsis | 80 | $299,200 | $1,052 |
Ranking Methodology
To come up with this list, we’ve examined countless places around the province through the lens of these factors: affordability, population, crime rates, unemployment rates, and the overall well-being of the residents, which includes looking at the entertainment, health, and outdoor opportunities present.
We used a livability score to determine the top five places from the list. The livability score, as shown in the table above, helps you quickly evaluate the quality of an area. The score consists of several categories: amenities, cost of living, safety, job opportunities, and housing costs.
Related: Best places to live in Canada for families.
References
Knowledge is Power
Use the information presented here to compare options and determine where in New Brunswick you should live.
Choosing the best place in New Brunswick will become a breeze if you’re equipped with information about the province’s cities and towns.
FAQs
Saint Andrews, or St Andrews by-the-sea is New Brunswick’s prettiest vacation town. This place captures the glamour of the seaside resort life.
Moncton is the best place to retire in New Brunswick, as it has become a hub for healthcare, culture, shopping, and education. The city also offers affordable real estate, allows seniors to enjoy short commutes, and has a welcoming community.
Moncton is better as the city has more to offer, is more modern, and is fun to explore. Moncton is also Canada’s only official bilingual city and is committed to advancing the bilingual experience by providing services in French and English.
As of November 2022, the average price of homes sold in New Brunswick, Canada, was $265,250.
Moncton is the fastest-growing urban city in New Brunswick. The city added 7,600 to its population between 2016 and 2021, a growth rate of 10.5%, which is an all-time record. The city also continues to attract more people (migrants and immigrants) than 90% of Canada’s urban 100+ centers.
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