A recent report has unveiled Canada’s top provinces for affordability and exceptional living in 2025. Let us discuss all about those provinces in detail.
Well, below is a breakdown of the cost of living, along with average housing prices. Take a look!
| Province | Average Monthly Cost Of Living | Average One-Bedroom Apartment Monthly Rent | Average Property Buying Cost |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $2,411.87 | $845 | $297,000 |
| New Brunswick | $2,341.21 | $1,274 | $308,000 |
| 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 |
Foreign nationals who want to permanently settle in provinces apart from Quebec can pursue permanent residence via Canada’s federal Express Entry system and can settle in any province.
For foreign nationals who wish to settle in certain provinces, the province’s Provincial Nominee Programs can sometimes offer an easier route to permanent residence for foreign nationals with lower scores in Express Entry’s CRS, i.e., Comprehensive Ranking System.
Newfoundland And Labrador
The first province under the list of Canada’s top provinces for affordability and exceptional living is Newfoundland and Labrador.
Well, Canada’s easternmost province came up top because of a variety of factors.
The cost of living – which includes housing prices and rent – ranked as the cheapest in the nation.
The province’s mix of urban as well as rural life, strong facilities, and vibrant culture – set against stunning nature – helped it top the list. Booming industries such as mining, hydropower, and fishing, along with low tuition fees have added to its appeal.
Immigration Pathways
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program is the province’s official Provincial Nominee Program.
It has one enhanced category, the NL Express Entry Skilled Worker category. The other categories are base categories.
Those wishing to immigrate to the province 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 seeking to immigrate to the province can also apply under the Atlantic Immigration Program if they are eligible. This provides skilled workers and international graduates the chance to gain permanent residence in Canada’s Atlantic provinces through an employment letter from a designated employer.
The NLPNP recently re-negotiated its provincial immigration allocation from the federal government, obtaining double the number of immigration spots the federal government initially gave the province. Newfoundland received these extra spots in exchange for agreeing to accept around 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 the 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.
The report 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 emphasize on the fact that a low cost of housing is a direct result of less employment.
Immigration Pathways
Those who want 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
- Critical Worker Pilot
- Strategic Initiative Stream
- Business Immigration Stream
Those interested can also look at the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Saskatchewan
Another one of Canada’s top provinces for affordability and exceptional living is Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan also features a relatively low cost of living as well as affordable housing options.
Apart from that, a highlight is that it happens to be Canada’s ‘sunniest’ province, thus allowing for more time outdoors for residents.
Immigration Pathways
The Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program is the province’s official Provincial Nominee Program. It has 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 advantages of living in Manitoba include low hydroelectricity rates, along with unique festivals during the summer months.
Manitoba is known for its chilly winters. Therefore, those planning to move there might want to brace themselves for the winter months.
Immigration Pathways
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is the province’s official PNP. It encompasses a variety of PR pathways within three streams:
- Skilled Worker Stream
- International Education Stream
- Business Investor
Of these, the Skilled Worker Stream features two pathways, i.e., Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas. The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream includes the Manitoba Express Entry pathways, an Express Entry aligned pathway.
Prince Edward Island
This smallest province features in the fifth place for Canada’s top provinces for affordability and exceptional living for its affordable housing.
As the list points out, the province also has plenty of natural beauty, along with opportunities for outdoor activities like cycling, swimming, and having delectable local cuisine.
Immigration Pathways
Those interested in the province can look into Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program. It has the following pathways:
- PEI PNP Express Entry Category
- Labor Impact Category
- Business Impact Category
Foreign workers can also consider the Atlantic Immigration Program for immigrating to the province.
Quebec
Although the cost of housing in Quebec might be significantly higher than in other provinces, 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.
Immigration Pathways
Quebec is unique because it has its own immigration system. The province 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: This is for people who want 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): This is for temporary foreign workers or foreign students who have graduated in Quebec. It has two streams:
– Temporary foreign workers
– Quebec graduates
Quebec candidates must first obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before applying for PR with the federal government.
Nova Scotia
Finally, the list of Canada’s top provinces for affordability and exceptional living ends with Nova Scotia.
While Nova Scotia still features a relatively expensive cost of housing – especially compared to others – it is still more affordable than in Ontario and British Columbia.
Other advantages include a vibrant culture, scenic trails, and beautiful beaches for those who love the outdoors.
Immigration Pathways
The Nova Scotia Nominee Program is a provincial immigration program for those who wish to settle in the province. It offers a number of enhanced as well as 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).
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