When discussing provinces to live in Canada, Nova Scotia will most likely be in the middle. It’s not as popular as British Columbia or Ontario, but it has its charm too, and the lower cost of living is one of those charms. So, if you’re thinking of moving to Nova Scotia, you’ll want to know the cost of living here. So, how much does it cost to live comfortably in Nova Scotia?
A single person living in Nova Scotia will spend about $2,700 monthly, while a family of 4 will require around $6,700. Of course, this is for Halifax, which means it’ll be lower in other parts. The average livable wage in the province is between $18.45 and $22.05, but the minimum wage is $12.95.
Even though the cost might seem a bit high, Nova Scotia is still one of the inexpensive provinces in the country, and the cost of most expenses here are lower than the national average. This article discusses how much you need to comfortably live in Nova Scotia and the expenses.
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What does it mean to live comfortably?
In Canada, living comfortably means that your income after tax is enough to get all the necessities of life, buy leisure experiences and hobbies, and have enough left to save in case of emergencies. Thus, someone can be said to be living comfortably when they’re earning within this range.
Livable Wage in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a fun place to live. It’s one of the Maritimes provinces, which means the cost of living is far lower than what you’ll get compared to other provinces. But this doesn’t mean it’s cheap. To live comfortably here, you need to earn a living hourly wage of between $18.45 – $22.05, depending on which part of the province you decide to live in. As of 2020, the average living wage for Halifax was $21.80. unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, this is below the current minimum wage in the country. Halifax is the capital city of nova scotia, and it has the highest cost of living in the province. To live comfortably in Halifax, it’s best to be earning at least $22.05 per hour. That’s about $10 higher than the actual minimum wage in the province. The minimum wage is $12.95 per hour and will become $13.35 in April. The province plans to increase it to $13.60 by October, and based on the roadmap; it’ll reach $15 in 2024. Even then, it’ll still be below the present livable wage
Factors Determining Livable Wage in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a pretty cheap place to live compared to several other parts of Canada. Halifax is the most expensive city in the province, but if you feel like you can’t afford to stay here, there are still other wonderful cities and towns that you can check out. In order to determine the cost of living in the province, we must examine the necessities for comfortable living and their cost. Halifax’s average monthly living cost is $4,331 for a family of 4 and $1,204 for a single person. These costs exclude rents which means a family for four will need about $6,700 to live comfortably in Halifax, while a single person will need around $2,700. It’s cheaper in other parts of the province.
1. Accommodation
Shelter is the necessity that most Canadians spend their income on. Whether renting or buying, the average cost of accommodation in Canada has increased significantly in the past few years. Fortunately, Nova Scotia is still one of the places where you can get homes below $500,000. The average cost of a home in Nova Scotia as of January 2022 was $392,828. Of course, homes in Halifax will be more expensive compared to other parts of the province.
In terms of rents, too, the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Halifax is $1,475, and a 3-bed apartment costs $2,400 on average. In other parts of the province, you’ll get a good place for less, and it’s even possible to find cheaper rents in Halifax, especially if you’re not looking for a place in the city center.
2. Transit
Getting around is an unavoidable cost. Even if you’re working from home, you still need to go out to get the things you need. There are public transportation options in major cities. The average cost of a monthly pass in Halifax is $82.50. Taxis are a bit more expensive and may cost you about $1.71 per kilometre apart from the base price of $3.25. Of course, another option is to own your car. That’ll likely be the case if you stay in smaller cities. A litre of gasoline costs $1.33 on average in Halifax. It’s noteworthy to point out that some of the costs would likely be lower in other parts of the province.
3. Utilities
You can expect to spend about $162.86 on utilities such as electricity, water, garbage, and cooling for an average-sized two-bedroom apartment per month. So, the cost of utilities in the province is quite low. But monthly internet can cost you around $94. So, don’t be surprised if you spend close to $300 on utilities.
4. Food
How much you spend on food monthly in Nova Scotia will depend on your diet and whether you’re eating out or cooking. But food prices in most parts of the province, especially Halifax, are higher than what you’ll find in other parts of the country. Meat, eggs, fish, dairy products, etc., cost more in Halifax than in other parts of the country. The same for groceries, with Halifax having the 5th most expensive lettuce per head in the world.
5. Hobbies and Entertainment
If you’re an outgoing person, Nova Scotia’s entertainment isn’t expensive. Meals at cheap restaurants will cost you around $17, but you’ll have to spend about $77.50 for a meal for two at mid-range restaurants. Cinema tickets cost $15, and if you’re a fan of sports and fitness, you’ll have to spend over $50 monthly to join fitness clubs.
In Conclusion
Nova Scotia is a fantastic place to live. With over 7000 kilometres of coastline, the province is naturally beautiful, with lakes, sea, and lush forests all around it. The cost of living is also moderate. So, it’s worth considering when thinking of a place to live in Canada.