For one person, living costs in Saint John, New Brunswick are estimated at $1,934 a month, including rent and utilities – 15% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about half of the total.
How much you'll spend in Saint John, New Brunswick
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 actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,934 monthly including rent, or $995 excluding housing.
$1,934 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,885 with rent, or $1,704 without housing.
$2,885 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,836 including rent, or $2,413 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KCA$34.4K
$23.6KCA$33.4K
$27.5KCA$38.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.8KCA$26.6K
$18.8KCA$26.6K
$19.1KCA$27.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$120CA$169
$68.8CA$97.2
$206CA$292
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.55CA$58.7
$17.68CA$24.99
$84.9CA$120
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.7CA$91.4
$42.59CA$60.2
$85.2CA$120
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3CA$73.9
$45.32CA$64.1
$59.3CA$83.8
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.03CA$49.52
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.78CA$18.07
$10.65CA$15.06
$17.75CA$25.10
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$378CA$534
$278CA$393
$692CA$978
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KCA$15.7K
$11.1KCA$15.7K
$13.1KCA$18.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.34CA$68.3
$41.43CA$58.6
$89.8CA$127
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.16CA$49.71
$24.62CA$34.80
$70.3CA$99.4
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103CA$145
$70.9CA$100
$142CA$200
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106CA$150
$87.3CA$123
$140CA$197
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$990CA$1,400
$892CA$1,261
$1,284CA$1,816
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$819CA$1,158
$724CA$1,024
$965CA$1,365
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,610CA$2,277
$1,557CA$2,201
$1,770CA$2,502
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,304CA$1,843
$1,217CA$1,721
$1,391CA$1,966
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,018CA$2,854
$1,794CA$2,536
$2,243CA$3,171
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,093CA$2,959
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,402CA$3,396
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.69
4.45
5
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 13, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Saint John, New Brunswick$1,934
Saint John, New Brunswick$3,836
🏠Accommodation & Living
$819 42.4%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$350 18.1%
🍽Eating Out
$257 13.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$226 11.7%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$131 6.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$78 4%
🚌Getting Around
$73 3.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.3K 34%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$812 21.2%
🍽Eating Out
$821 21.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$267 7%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$292 7.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$191 5%
🚌Getting Around
$149 3.9%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $990 for a central one-bedroom, or $819 outside the center. At 41% of the average salary ($2,402), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,402, while typical expenses reach $1,934. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $2,901.
🛒Expect to spend about $350 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $59.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $56.0 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Taxi is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America
⭐Cappuccino is cheaper than 94% of cities in North America
⭐Imported beer is cheaper than 90% of cities in North America
Cost of Living in Saint John, New Brunswick - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint John an affordable choice for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to other Atlantic Canadian cities?
Saint John offers a balanced mix of value and access. You’ll find that everyday essentials, dining, and short-term stays align with a slower pace than major metro centers, yet with reliable services and scenic surroundings. The appeal for travelers, expats, and digital nomads lies in neighborhood variety, seasonal events, and walkable cores without sky-high rents. Consider the Cost of Living in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada when planning your move: you may enjoy comfortable living on a flexible budget by choosing local markets, shared housing, and mid-range rentals in well-connected districts. Tip: explore trial weeks in different neighborhoods to gauge fit.
What does daily life look like in Saint John in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life centers on practical routines. Housing search tends to favor older, well-kept buildings in walkable neighborhoods with solid transit links to the core. You’ll find a mix of small apartments and family homes, with leases that can feel approachable for short stints. Food options range from local markets to cafés with seasonal menus. For transport, walking and biking are feasible in many areas, while buses connect you across the city. Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada living cost considerations show value in choosing a practical apartment and public transit-friendly neighborhoods. Tip: plan your first week around neighborhood exploration.
What quality of life aspects should you prioritize, and how can you budget and choose a neighborhood that fits your pace and the seasons?
Quality of life in Saint John leans on balance: a compact urban core, waterfront scenery, and accessible services. Use a simple budgeting framework: cover housing and utilities first, then groceries and transport, then discretionary spending and experiences. Save by sharing housing, shopping at local markets, and using public transit or bikes. Neighborhood fit depends on your rhythm – historic uptown for walkability, East Side for family-friendly spots, or the south end for a quieter vibe. Plan seasonal activities to align with crowds and weather. Plan short-term stays in two areas before committing. Tip: your next weekend exploration might reveal your best fit.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Saint John, New Brunswick?
With 41% of the average paycheck going to rent, Saint John, New Brunswick is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
What is the average cost of living in Saint John, New Brunswick?
A single person in Saint John, New Brunswick typically spends $1,934 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $995. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
Can you save money on an average salary in Saint John, New Brunswick?
At $2,402 take-home, most residents in Saint John, New Brunswick can cover the $1,934 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,901 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Saint John, New Brunswick?
Where you live in Saint John, New Brunswick makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $990; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $819. Overall, the market runs from $819 to $990 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Saint John, New Brunswick?
A regular gym membership in Saint John, New Brunswick costs around $52.3 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Saint John, New Brunswick?
Expect to spend around $350 per month on groceries in Saint John, New Brunswick. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Saint John, New Brunswick?
Living on $2,000 in Saint John, New Brunswick means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,934. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Saint John, New Brunswick?
Saint John, New Brunswick offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, and at around $1,934 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Saint John, New Brunswick?
Monthly expenses in Saint John, New Brunswick run around $1,934, so putting money aside takes more than $2,901 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Saint John, New Brunswick vs other spots: cost of living compared