Located on the Atlantic coast, New Brunswick is one of the eastern provinces of Canada that’s known for its natural beauty. The province is home to a diverse population, with both English and French being spoken widely.
Although New Brunswick is already more affordable than most other Canadian provinces, specific places in this province can help you further reduce your cost of living.
Some of the cheaper cities and towns in New Brunswick include Moncton, Fredericton, Sackville, and Saint John, among others.
This article covers the 10 Cheapest Places to Live in New Brunswick, including their average cost of living, typical rent price and range of amenities.
Key Takeaways
- In the cheapest places in New Brunswick, the monthly cost of living ranges from $1,250 to $1,450, and the monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is typically between $720 to $1,250.
- The pros of living in New Brunswick include the province’s affordability, scenic beauty, strong community and bilingualism.
- To choose the cheapest place to live in New Brunswick, consider your budget, research the housing costs, and look for job opportunities in the area.
Top 10 Cheapest Places to Live in New Brunswick
| City | Cost of Living (Monthly) | Average Monthly Rent For 1-bedroom Apartment |
| Moncton | $1,295.4 | $1,150 |
| Fredericton | $1,333.9 | $1,250 |
| Sackville | $1,439 | $742 |
| Saint John | $1,412 | $975 |
| Shediac | $1,275 | $903 |
| Woodstock | $1,245 | $1,200 |
| St. Stephen | $1,425 | $1,050 |
| Miramichi | $1,440 | $1,060 |
| Edmundston | $1,440 | $1,071 |
| Dieppe | $1,334 | $810. |
Cheapest Places to Live in New Brunswick
The overall cost of living in New Brunswick is generally lower than in many other parts of Canada. Housing prices, in particular, tend to be more affordable in New Brunswick, with the average home price coming in far lower than the national average.
1. Moncton
Located in southeastern New Brunswick, Moncton, Canada, boasts the nickname “Hub City” due to its central inland location and its railroad and land transportation history. Moncton has a relatively small population compared to other Canadian cities, making the demand for housing and other goods and services not as high, which can lead to lower prices.
The cost of living before rent in Moncton is generally affordable at $1,295 for a single person – it’s 20% lower than that of Toronto. The average price for a single-family home is $247,000, while the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,150.
2. Fredericton
Fredericton’s cost of living before rent is about $1,340 per month for a single person. Fredericton also has a relatively small population, making the demand for housing and other goods and services not as high, leading to lower prices.
The average price of a home in Fredericton is around $288,621, while the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fredericton is around $1,250.
3. Sackville
Sackville is known as Canada’s university town, therefore offering a lower cost of living to appeal to college students. It comes in at about $1,439 for a single person who rents. The average price for a home in Sackville is $218,986, and the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $742.
4. Saint John
Saint John has the most affordable housing prices in New Brunswick. The cost of living is also one of the lowest in New Brunswick.
The average price for a single-family home is $249,000, and the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $975. The average cost of living for a single person who rents amounts to $1,412 per month.
5. Shediac
A coastal community located on the south shore of the Saint John River, Shediac offers low taxes and high incomes, making it one of Canada’s best places to live in. The average price of a single-family home is $245,000, and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is $903 per month to rent.
For a single person who rents, the cost of living per month in Shediac is about $1,275, which is on the lower side of the average for New Brunswick.
6. Woodstock
On the western border of New Brunswick, Woodstock has gained recognition for having some of the finest restaurants in Canada. The average price of a single-family home is $232,527, while the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,200 a month.
The cost of living in Woodstock before rent for a single person comes to about $1,245 per month, which is about 17% lower than New Brunswick’s average. In other words, Woodstock is an attractively cheap place to live.
7. St. Stephen
A community located west of Saint John, St. Stephen offers a slower way of life with a similar low cost of living. The average single-family home costs about $246,074, while the average price for a one-bedroom apartment is about $1,050 per month.
For a single person, the cost of living is about $1,425 per month before rent.
8. Miramichi
The largest city in northern New Brunswick, Miramichi, also offers a low cost of living. The average single-family home is about $228,000, and the average one-bedroom apartment is about $1,060. The cost of living there before rent is about 4% below New Brunswick’s average, coming in at around $1,440 per month.
9. Edmundston
At the Westernmost end of New Brunswick, Edmunston offers a low cost of living and is also easily accessible to Quebec and Maine, USA. The average cost of a single-family home is $231,112, and the average price of a one-bedroom apartment is $1,071.00. The cost of living in Edmundston before rent is similar to that in Miramichi, around $1,440 per month.
10. Dieppe
Dieppe has slightly higher housing costs than some of the other cities we’ve mentioned in New Brunswick, but it is still an affordable option. The average cost of a single-family home is $399,950, and the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment is $810.
The cost of living there and the cheap amenities make up for this price difference. A single person who rents can expect to spend about $1,334 per month to live in Dieppe.
Living in New Brunswick: Pros and Cons
Naturally, there are both benefits and drawbacks when it comes to living in New Brunswick. In this section, we’ll explore both sides of what New Brunswick has to offer.
Pros
- Affordability: New Brunswick is known for its low cost of living compared to other Canadian provinces. The cost of housing, food, and transportation is generally lower than in other provinces, making it an attractive destination for those looking for a more affordable place to live.
- Scenic Beauty: New Brunswick has a beautiful natural landscape, with numerous parks, forests, and lakes that are perfect for outdoor activities. The province is also home to the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world, making it a popular tourist destination.
- Strong Community: New Brunswick is known for its friendly and welcoming community. It is a place where people come together to help one another and where people value relationships and connections.
- Bilingualism: New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province in Canada, with both French and English being widely spoken. This can be an advantage for those who want to learn a new language or for those who want to work in a bilingual environment.
Cons
- Limited Job Opportunities: New Brunswick has a relatively small population, so job opportunities can be limited, especially in certain industries. This can make it difficult for those looking for a specific type of job.
- Harsh Winters: New Brunswick has long and harsh winters, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures. This can be a challenge for those who are not used to the climate.
- Rural Areas: While New Brunswick has some larger cities, much of the province is rural. This can be a disadvantage for those who prefer to live in urban areas with more amenities and services.
- Limited Entertainment Options: New Brunswick has fewer entertainment options compared with provinces that are home to larger Canadian cities. This can be a disadvantage for those who enjoy vibrant nightlife or who want access to a wider range of cultural events.
How to Choose the Cheapest Place to Live in New Brunswick
Choosing the cheapest place to live in New Brunswick will depend on several factors, including your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. Here are some tips to help you choose the most affordable place to live in New Brunswick:
- Consider your budget: Consider your income, expenses, and any debts you may have. This will help you determine how much you can afford to spend on housing, food, and other expenses.
- Research housing costs: Research the cost of renting or buying a home in different areas of the province to find the most affordable option.
- Look for areas with lower living costs: Certain areas of New Brunswick may have lower living costs than others. For example, rural areas may have lower housing costs and lower taxes than urban areas.
- Look for job opportunities: If you are looking for a job, consider the availability of jobs in different areas of New Brunswick. Areas with a higher demand for workers may offer better job opportunities and higher wages.
- Research local taxes: Different municipalities in New Brunswick may have different tax rates. Research the tax rates in different areas to find the most affordable option.
Choosing the cheapest place to live in New Brunswick will require research and consideration of various factors, including housing costs, transportation costs, job opportunities, and local taxes.
By considering these factors, you can find the most affordable place to live that meets budget constraints.
Ranking Methodology
To come up with this list of New Brunswick’s top 10 cheapest cities to live in, we analyzed the costs of housing and the costs of living in many of its top destinations. We prioritized this factor because it’s a main concern for many individuals.
In fact, the largest factor that people consider when thinking about relocating is the cost of living. The cost of living encompasses rent or mortgage payments, grocery and food costs, and other costs that are considered essential.
Rent or mortgage payments specifically take up a large portion of an individual’s or family’s budget, and the cost of living very accurately indicates expenses that one might expect to pay in New Brunswick.
Sources
FAQs
Dieppe, New Brunswick, often tops the list of best places to live in the region. The best area to live in for you, however, will depend on your budget, lifestyle, and preferences.
New Brunswick is an affordable province to live in. In fact, New Brunswick is the cheapest region in Atlantic Canada.
In order to live in New Brunswick, it’s good to make at least the province’s average salary – $59,725 per year, which equates to an hourly rate of about $29. The average cost of living per person per month is $1,275.
Jobs in the service industries are in high demand. Also in demand are human resources professionals, healthcare managers, and executive assistants. Senior-level jobs are less in demand in the province.
