Canada + USA · 39 places

Best places to live for a lower cost of living in Canada and the USA

More affordable places in Canada and the USA that still have plenty to do. Compare cost of living and typical home prices.

Order: Lowest cost of living first. Figures are approximate and meant for comparing places, not official statistics.

Best for a lower cost of living in Canada

  1. #1 · New Brunswick, Canada

    Saint John

    Gritty port city on the Bay of Fundy with cheap homes.

    January / July
    -8°C / 17°C
    Sunny days a year
    240
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    40 min / 20 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    C$290,000
    Cost of living
    75 (100 = national average)
    Lower costHikingSmall town
  2. #2 · Québec, Canada

    Sherbrooke

    Affordable university city in the Eastern Townships.

    January / July
    -11°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    260
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    30 min / 30 min / 1h 45m
    Typical home price
    C$380,000
    Cost of living
    78 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingLower costSkiingLake life
  3. #3 · Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

    Corner Brook

    Fjord-side mill town near Marble Mountain and Gros Morne.

    January / July
    -7°C / 16°C
    Sunny days a year
    210
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    10 min / 15 min / 50 min
    Typical home price
    C$270,000
    Cost of living
    80 (100 = national average)
    SkiingHikingLower costRemote-work hubSmall town
  4. #4 · Ontario, Canada

    Thunder Bay

    Lake Superior city facing the Sleeping Giant.

    January / July
    -14°C / 18°C
    Sunny days a year
    290
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    20 min / 5 min / 10 min
    Typical home price
    C$330,000
    Cost of living
    80 (100 = national average)
    Lake lifeHikingLower costSkiingRemote-work hub
  5. #5 · Saskatchewan, Canada

    Regina

    Friendly prairie capital with some of Canada's cheapest homes.

    January / July
    -15°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    320
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 40 min / 10 min
    Typical home price
    C$330,000
    Cost of living
    82 (100 = national average)
    Lower costGolfLake life
  6. #6 · New Brunswick, Canada

    Fredericton

    Quiet riverside capital with low prices and trails.

    January / July
    -10°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    280
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    50 min / 25 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    C$330,000
    Cost of living
    82 (100 = national average)
    Lower costSmall townHikingLake life
  7. #7 · New Brunswick, Canada

    Moncton

    Bilingual hub near warm Northumberland Strait beaches.

    January / July
    -9°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    275
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 40m / 25 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    C$360,000
    Cost of living
    82 (100 = national average)
    Lower costBeachFrench-speaking
  8. #8 · Québec, Canada

    Québec City

    Historic walled French city with ski hills nearby.

    January / July
    -12°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    290
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    30 min / 20 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    C$410,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFrench-speakingSkiingFood sceneLower cost
  9. #9 · Manitoba, Canada

    Winnipeg

    Affordable prairie city with arts, sun and cold winters.

    January / July
    -16°C / 20°C
    Sunny days a year
    316
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 50m / 1h 5m / 15 min
    Typical home price
    C$380,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costLake lifeFood scene
  10. #10 · Saskatchewan, Canada

    Saskatoon

    Bridge city on the river with sunny skies and low costs.

    January / July
    -15°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    320
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 30 min / 10 min
    Typical home price
    C$390,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Lower costGolfLake life
  11. #11 · Alberta, Canada

    Lethbridge

    Sunny, windy coulee city with low home prices.

    January / July
    -6°C / 18°C
    Sunny days a year
    320
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 45m / 20 min / 2h
    Typical home price
    C$410,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Lower costGolfSmall town
  12. #12 · Ontario, Canada

    Sudbury

    Mining city of 300 lakes with affordable homes.

    January / July
    -13°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    280
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    15 min / 5 min / 3h+
    Typical home price
    C$420,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Lake lifeLower costHikingSkiing
  13. #13 · Alberta, Canada

    Edmonton

    River valley capital with big festivals and cheap homes.

    January / July
    -10°C / 17°C
    Sunny days a year
    325
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    20 min / 1h / 35 min
    Typical home price
    C$430,000
    Cost of living
    90 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costGolfLive music
  14. #14 · Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

    St. John's

    Colourful, foggy port city with pubs and coastal trails.

    January / July
    -5°C / 16°C
    Sunny days a year
    200
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    2h / 15 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    C$360,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    HikingLive musicFood sceneLower cost
  15. #15 · Québec, Canada

    Montréal

    Festivals, food and French culture at big-city value.

    January / July
    -9°C / 21°C
    Sunny days a year
    200
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 30 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    C$600,000
    Cost of living
    95 (100 = national average)
    French-speakingBig cityNightlifeFood sceneLive musicLower cost
  16. #16 · Nova Scotia, Canada

    Halifax

    An ocean city with a friendly, small-town feel.

    January / July
    -4°C / 19°C
    Sunny days a year
    180
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 20 min / 35 min
    Typical home price
    C$550,000
    Cost of living
    95 (100 = national average)
    BeachLower costFood sceneSmall town

Best for a lower cost of living in the USA

  1. #1 · Oklahoma, USA

    Oklahoma City

    Low-cost living, revitalised districts and wide open skies.

    January / July
    3°C / 28°C
    Sunny days a year
    234
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 20 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$230,000
    Cost of living
    83 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costLake life
  2. #2 · Tennessee, USA

    Memphis

    Blues, barbecue and some of the cheapest big-city homes.

    January / July
    5°C / 28°C
    Sunny days a year
    220
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 1h / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$220,000
    Cost of living
    84 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLive musicFood sceneLower cost
  3. #3 · Alabama, USA

    Birmingham

    Affordable Southern city with great restaurants and wooded hills.

    January / July
    7°C / 27°C
    Sunny days a year
    212
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 40 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$250,000
    Cost of living
    85 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costFood sceneGolfLake life
  4. #4 · Arkansas, USA

    Little Rock

    Affordable capital with river trails and Ozark lakes nearby.

    January / July
    5°C / 28°C
    Sunny days a year
    215
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 30 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$230,000
    Cost of living
    86 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costHikingLake lifeGolf
  5. #5 · Ohio, USA

    Cleveland

    Affordable Lake Erie city with great museums and orchestra.

    January / July
    -3°C / 23°C
    Sunny days a year
    166
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    40 min / 10 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$120,000
    Cost of living
    87 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLake lifeLive musicLower cost
  6. #6 · Kentucky, USA

    Louisville

    Bourbon country, the Derby and an affordable river city.

    January / July
    1°C / 26°C
    Sunny days a year
    190
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 40 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$260,000
    Cost of living
    88 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFood sceneLower costGolf
  7. #7 · Mississippi, USA

    Ocean Springs

    Artsy Gulf Coast town with oak-lined streets and low costs.

    January / July
    11°C / 28°C
    Sunny days a year
    220
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 5 min / 30 min
    Typical home price
    US$280,000
    Cost of living
    88 (100 = national average)
    Warm wintersBeachSmall townLower costFood scene
  8. #8 · Michigan, USA

    Detroit

    Rebounding Motor City with cheap homes and a riverfront.

    January / July
    -4°C / 23°C
    Sunny days a year
    183
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    45 min / 30 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    US$95,000
    Cost of living
    88 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLive musicLower costFood scene
  9. #9 · Missouri, USA

    St. Louis

    Gateway Arch city with cheap historic homes and free museums.

    January / July
    0°C / 27°C
    Sunny days a year
    205
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    45 min / 1h / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$200,000
    Cost of living
    89 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLive musicFood sceneLower cost
  10. #10 · Texas, USA

    San Antonio

    River Walk charm, Tex-Mex and affordable big-city living.

    January / July
    11°C / 30°C
    Sunny days a year
    220
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 45 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$290,000
    Cost of living
    90 (100 = national average)
    Warm wintersBig cityFood sceneGolfLower cost
  11. #11 · Tennessee, USA

    Knoxville

    Gateway to the Smokies with lakes and an affordable vibe.

    January / July
    4°C / 26°C
    Sunny days a year
    205
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 25 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$340,000
    Cost of living
    90 (100 = national average)
    HikingLake lifeLower costFood scene
  12. #12 · Indiana, USA

    Indianapolis

    Easygoing, affordable capital with sports and racing.

    January / July
    -2°C / 24°C
    Sunny days a year
    187
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    2h / 45 min / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$245,000
    Cost of living
    91 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costGolf
  13. #13 · Tennessee, USA

    Chattanooga

    Outdoor town with climbing, river paddling and fast internet.

    January / July
    5°C / 27°C
    Sunny days a year
    205
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    3h+ / 10 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$320,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    HikingLake lifeLower costFood scene
  14. #14 · Ohio, USA

    Cincinnati

    Hilly river city with historic neighborhoods and breweries.

    January / July
    -1°C / 25°C
    Sunny days a year
    182
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    45 min / 1h / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$250,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFood sceneLower cost
  15. #15 · Missouri, USA

    Kansas City

    Barbecue and jazz capital with low costs and big skies.

    January / July
    -1°C / 26°C
    Sunny days a year
    215
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    40 min / 45 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    US$250,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLive musicFood sceneLower cost
  16. #16 · New York, USA

    Buffalo

    Snowy, affordable lake city near Niagara Falls.

    January / July
    -4°C / 22°C
    Sunny days a year
    155
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    50 min / 15 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$260,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLake lifeFood sceneLower cost
  17. #17 · Nebraska, USA

    Omaha

    Friendly, affordable Plains city with a strong job market.

    January / July
    -4°C / 25°C
    Sunny days a year
    215
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    30 min / 30 min / 10 min
    Typical home price
    US$290,000
    Cost of living
    92 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLower costFood scene
  18. #18 · New Mexico, USA

    Albuquerque

    High desert city with balloons and green chile.

    January / July
    2°C / 27°C
    Sunny days a year
    280
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    40 min / 3h+ / 10 min
    Typical home price
    US$340,000
    Cost of living
    93 (100 = national average)
    Big cityDesertHikingSkiingLower cost
  19. #19 · Wisconsin, USA

    Milwaukee

    Lake Michigan city of festivals, beer and affordable homes.

    January / July
    -5°C / 22°C
    Sunny days a year
    189
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    50 min / 5 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$220,000
    Cost of living
    93 (100 = national average)
    Big cityLake lifeLive musicLower cost
  20. #20 · Pennsylvania, USA

    Pittsburgh

    Hilly river city with strong hospitals, tech and low prices.

    January / July
    -2°C / 23°C
    Sunny days a year
    160
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 15m / 1h / 25 min
    Typical home price
    US$230,000
    Cost of living
    93 (100 = national average)
    Big cityHikingFood sceneLower cost
  21. #21 · Ohio, USA

    Columbus

    Young, growing capital with a big university and tech scene.

    January / July
    -2°C / 24°C
    Sunny days a year
    178
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 30 min / 15 min
    Typical home price
    US$285,000
    Cost of living
    94 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFood sceneLower cost
  22. #22 · North Carolina, USA

    Asheville

    A creative mountain town in the Blue Ridge.

    January / July
    3°C / 24°C
    Sunny days a year
    210
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h / 30 min / 25 min
    Typical home price
    US$450,000
    Cost of living
    95 (100 = national average)
    HikingLive musicFood sceneLower costSmall townRemote-work hub
  23. #23 · Maryland, USA

    Baltimore

    Harbor city with rowhouses, crabs and low home prices.

    January / July
    1°C / 26°C
    Sunny days a year
    213
    Drive to ski hill / water / airport
    1h 15m / 1h / 20 min
    Typical home price
    US$190,000
    Cost of living
    100 (100 = national average)
    Big cityFood sceneLive musicLower cost
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Best places to live for a lower cost of living in Canada and the USA · Pinned