Looking for some of the most affordable cities in Canada? Well, many factors that go into determining if a place is affordable. Many people check the cost of rent or consider the prices of new homes. Other factors that make a place expensive or cheap include health services, taxes, food, transportation, etc. With these in mind, let’s explore some cheap places to live in Canada.
1. Ajax, Ontario
If you’re relocating to Southern Ontario, Ajax is a good place to live. It’s situated in the Durham Region. You’re just 43.8 km away from Toronto by road. Without a car, there are other travel options available, for instance, taking the bus starting at $5 or train at $5 to $8.
The average price of homes in Ajax is placed at about $680,000 according to MLS® stats but it fluctuates based on the value of properties currently in the market.
The type of house you’re looking to get will determine what you pay with townhouses and condos being relatively cheaper. The area is also fast growing with many young people purported to relocate here. On this website, you can find out more about Ajax and all about new homes for sale.
2. Quesnel, British Columbia
Quesnel has affordable transport and health care. Many entrepreneurs have been drawn to this city of about 23,000 thanks to the low business start-up costs. The main driver of the city tends to be tourism, but it was long known for its ideal location on the gold mining trail.
Driving from Vancouver to Quesnel will take you about 7 hours,15 minutes. On searching for the cheapest listing, there was a condo going for $59,000 with two beds and one bath.
3. Lachute, Quebec
Situated in Southwest Quebec, Lachute is a relatively cheap place to live in Canada. It is only 62 km from Montreal with a commute time of about 59 minutes. Without a car, you have to take the bus with costs ranging from $11 to $28 and cheap tickets at $7. Taxes remain relatively low but they did go up in 2017 by 2.2% followed by an increase in property taxes by 3.3% in 2020.
4. Moncton, New Brunswick
It’s one of the major centers in New Brunswick and has been recognized in the past as one of the best cities in Canada. It had a relatively small population of about 85,000 in 2017. New Brunswick is associated with a low cost of living, and it’s the same case in Moncton. For instance, based on estimates by Numbeo, it’s about 31% cheaper to live in Moncton than Toronto.
5.Sept-Îles, Quebec
The city lies in eastern Quebec and had a population of about 28,500 in 2016. Many cruise ships dock at Sept-Îles where a CAD20 million wharf was recently constructed. With the Boreal Forest nearby, tourists get the chance to engage in sight-seeing. There boat rides to nearby islands, and more. The city is also big on the iron and aluminum industry. With many jobs in the service and industrial sector, housing remains relatively cheap with the median price of real estate properties placed at about $229,000. Rent for some apartments can go for as low as $500.
6. Abbotsford, British Columbia
Looking for one of the top affordable cities in Canada? Well, Abbotsford has an affordable housing market with a two-bedroom going for about $950. Students searching for one-bedroom apartments can expect to pay about $600 to $800.
It’s quite a picturesque city to live in and one of the most diverse. They are about 125,000 inhabitants with a total visible minority population of 46,000.
Young families have plenty of housing choices particularly in the Mill Lake area home to new condos (averaging $300,000) and single-family houses (averaging $800,000).
7.Fredericton, New Brunswick
As with most cities in the province, Fredericton is known for its affordability with its cost of living index placed at 69.79. Excluding rent, one person might only need $859.07 to survive.
Housing prices are also low, which is favorable for families looking forward to relocating. In some areas, you can find a condo or townhouse for less than $100,000. The city also plays an important role since it’s New Brunswick’s capital.
8. Cornwall, Ontario
With a population of about 46,000, Cornwall is one of the most affordable cities in Canada owing to its relatively cheap housing market, which has been growing as new homes are added. The average price for a house was $249,489 in September 2019. Many young families and first-time buyers can look forward to well-priced single-family houses. Retirees looking forward to downsizing have also flocked the area.
9. Montreal, Quebec
Montreal might be more expensive than the smaller cities on this list. But it happens to be the most affordable major city in Canada and the US, and also beats many top European cities. For instance, compared with New York, it’s about 31.4% cheaper. What’s more, it’s reputation has been bolstered by a high earning potential, which has surpassed that of Tokyo, Paris, and London. Things attributed to the low cost of renting in Montreal include the low population growth, high student population, good renting practices, and stricter rent control.
10. Sherbrooke, Quebec
Located in Southern Quebec and 156 km from Montreal, Sherbrooke is the cheapest place to live in Canada based on the cost of renting an 800ft Apartment. The region is pretty serene owing to its proximity to mountains, lakes, etc. The population in 2017 was at 167,162 with quite a high concentration of students. There are about 10.32 students for 100 residents. The crime level is also very low.
Other cities to check out
More affordable cities in Canada include Laval (Quebec), Medicine Hat (Alberta), Red Deer (Alberta), Rimouski (Quebec), Edmonton (Alberta), and London (Ontario).
