Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Saint John, New Brunswick and New York, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Saint John, New Brunswick: $1,934 a month against $4,950 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $36,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Saint John, New Brunswick
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,934
/mo nomad
New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,950
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Saint John, New Brunswick and in New York, NY

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Saint John, New Brunswick and in New York, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,934 per month in Saint John, New Brunswick vs $4,950 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Saint John, New Brunswick $1,934
  • New York, NY $4,950

A couple spends around $2,885 per month in Saint John, New Brunswick vs $7,265 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Saint John, New Brunswick $2,885
  • New York, NY $7,265

A family of three spends $3,836 per month in Saint John, New Brunswick vs $9,581 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Saint John, New Brunswick $3,836
  • New York, NY $9,581

Saint John, New Brunswick is about 61% cheaper than New York, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Saint John, New Brunswick and New York, NY sit above the global median – Saint John, New Brunswick by 43%, New York, NY by 267%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.31 CA$25.89
$24.65 $24.65
-25.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.0 CA$83.5
$122 $122
-51.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.43 CA$14.75
$13.91 $13.91
-25.02%
Cappuccino
$3.00 CA$4.25
$6.59 $6.59
-54.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 CA$2.39
$3.84 $3.84
-55.99%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 CA$1.50
$2.87 $2.87
-63.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.43 CA$6.26
$7.79 $7.79
-43.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.01 CA$7.08
$9.85 $9.85
-49.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 CA$3.07
$1.38 $1.38
57.25%
White Bread (500g)
$2.67 CA$3.77
$4.68 $4.68
-42.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.12 CA$4.41
$7.54 $7.54
-58.62%
Eggs
$3.45 CA$4.88
$5.93 $5.93
-41.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.17 CA$18.61
$18.83 $18.83
-30.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.72 CA$16.56
$17.36 $17.36
-32.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.78 CA$18.06
$18.51 $18.51
-30.96%
Apples (1kg)
$4.79 CA$6.77
$6.74 $6.74
-28.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 CA$2.08
$2.09 $2.09
-29.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.18 CA$5.91
$6.07 $6.07
-31.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.90 CA$5.51
$6.74 $6.74
-42.14%
Potato (1kg)
$2.00 CA$2.83
$4.05 $4.05
-50.62%
Onion (1kg)
$2.20 CA$3.11
$4.37 $4.37
-49.66%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.47 CA$3.49
$2.89 $2.89
-14.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.41 CA$1.99
$2.60 $2.60
-45.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.92 CA$19.67
$18.72 $18.72
-25.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.90 CA$13.99
$20.06 $20.06
-50.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 CA$2.53
$3.25 $3.25
-44.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 CA$3.00
$3.73 $3.73
-43.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.06 CA$2.92
$3.06 $3.06
-32.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$56.0 CA$79.2
$140 $140
-60.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.92 CA$4.13
$3.04 $3.04
-3.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.06 CA$1.50
$2.15 $2.15
-50.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.34 CA$24.52
$41.82 $41.82
-58.54%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 CA$1.76
$1.12 $1.12
11.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K CA$34.4K
$35.5K $35.5K
-31.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.8K CA$26.6K
$26.0K $26.0K
-27.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 CA$169
$219 $219
-45.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.55 CA$58.7
$73.2 $73.2
-43.23%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.7 CA$91.4
$72.0 $72.0
-10.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.3 CA$73.9
$123 $123
-57.38%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.03 CA$49.52
$67.7 $67.7
-48.23%
Cinema Ticket
$12.78 CA$18.07
$22.85 $22.85
-44.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$378 CA$534
$3,333 $3,333
-88.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.1K CA$15.7K
$60.0K $60.0K
-81.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.34 CA$68.3
$75.2 $75.2
-35.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.16 CA$49.71
$52.4 $52.4
-32.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 CA$145
$122 $122
-15.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 CA$150
$133 $133
-20.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$990 CA$1,400
$4,389 $4,389
-77.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$819 CA$1,158
$3,130 $3,130
-73.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,610 CA$2,277
$8,918 $8,918
-81.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,304 CA$1,843
$5,354 $5,354
-75.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,018 CA$2,854
$19.4K $19.4K
-89.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,093 CA$2,959
$6,806 $6,806
-69.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Saint John, New Brunswick
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,402 CA$3,396
$5,343 $5,343
-55.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.69
6.82
-31.23%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Saint John, New Brunswick: October 13, 2026

Last update for New York, NY: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Saint John, New Brunswick
$819
New York, NY
$3.1K 282% $2.3K
Groceries & Markets
Saint John, New Brunswick
$350
New York, NY
$545 55.6% $195
Eating Out
Saint John, New Brunswick
$257
New York, NY
$404 57% $147
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saint John, New Brunswick
$226
New York, NY
$364 61.3% $138
Clothing & Footwear
Saint John, New Brunswick
$131
New York, NY
$172 30.9% $41
Sport & Entertainment
Saint John, New Brunswick
$78
New York, NY
$168 116% $91
Getting Around
Saint John, New Brunswick
$73
New York, NY
$167 130% $94

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $990 in Saint John, New Brunswick versus $4,389 in New York, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 122% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $59.0 in Saint John, New Brunswick versus $122 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $350 vs $545 – making Saint John, New Brunswick the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Saint John, New Brunswick
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🕒 Local time
16:55 4:55 PM
15:55 3:55 PM
1 h behind Saint John, New Brunswick
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
70,063
8,804,190
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Saint John, New Brunswick New York, NY 840 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Saint John, New Brunswick
  • New York, NY

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Saint John, New Brunswick vs New York, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Saint John, New Brunswick or New York, NY?
New York, NY costs about 156% more than Saint John, New Brunswick, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Saint John, New Brunswick and in New York, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,901 per month in Saint John, New Brunswick and $7,424 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Saint John, New Brunswick or New York, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Saint John, New Brunswick, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Saint John, New Brunswick and in New York, NY?
Kindergarten costs $378 per month in Saint John, New Brunswick and $3,333 in New York, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Saint John, New Brunswick or in New York, NY?
Groceries cost about 56% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Saint John, New Brunswick or in New York, NY?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Saint John, New Brunswick, where all-in costs run around $1,934, than in New York, NY at $4,950. In Saint John, New Brunswick it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Saint John, New Brunswick or New York, NY?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Saint John, New Brunswick costs $1,934 versus $4,950 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Saint John, New Brunswick or to New York, NY?
If budget matters most, go with Saint John, New Brunswick. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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