Cost of Living in Nova Scotia: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Key Summary

• Nova Scotia offers a student-friendly lifestyle with affordable living costs, quality education, and welcoming communities.

• With reasonable tuition fees and a good quality of life, Nova Scotia is an attractive destination for international students.

• Monthly expenses mainly include accommodation, utilities, groceries, transport, and dining, with overall costs lower than many Canadian provinces.

Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s ten provinces, located on the east coast of the country. It offers a unique blend of academic excellence, diverse cultural experiences, and scenic beauty. This region is known for its friendly communities, strong educational institutions, and affordable cost of living in Nova Scotia, making it an attractive destination for international students.

The cost of living in Nova Scotia is more affordable than in other cities in Canada because it ranked 4th in the most expensive province and 3rd best province to live in the country. Due to this, students in Nova Scotia enjoy the benefit of a high quality of life and excellent educational opportunities. If you are relocating here for higher studies and want to learn more about the average cost of living in Nova Scotia, this blog is perfect for you. Please continue reading to know more. 

Cost of Living in Nova Scotia Overview

The average cost of living in Nova Scotia for an individual including accommodation rent according to the livingcost is nearly CAD 2860. If we segregate further and consider the one-room apartment rent it is around CAD 1428 to CAD 1752. However, the living expenditures in Nova Scotia depend on the standard of living, area, and preference of things.

The cost of living in Nova Scotia includes a few costs such as utility bills, housing rent, transportation costs, entertainment costs, food costs, groceries costs, and a few costs. Here, we have given the average cost of living in Nova Scotia with diverse categories for someones looking to live here. Please take a glance at the overview:

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Costs of Accommodation in Nova Scotia

Accommodation is a significant factor in the cost of living in Nova Scotia and constitutes a major portion of its living expenses. When calculating your overall budget, it’s important to account for this cost. Compared to other Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia generally offers affordable housing. The cost varies based on location, size, and type of room or apartment. For instance, a bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs around CAD 1752.

While living in Nova Scotia is generally affordable, it’s essential to carefully research and compare different areas and apartment amenities to ensure they meet your needs and budget. For your convenience, we have compiled data on the average cost of housing for various flats located both inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 1,752
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 3,182
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 1428
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 2,577

Cost of a Utility in Nova Scotia 

Utilities in Nova Scotia encompass a range of essential services that contribute to the quality of life for residents. These include electricity, water, heating, internet, and waste management. Understanding the cost and availability of these utilities can help residents manage their household expenses effectively.

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Nova Scotia could be around CAD 148. However, the cost of utility bills in Nova Scotia depends on the use and size of the apartment. When planning your monthly cost of living in Nova Scotia, budgeting for utility expenses is crucial as they represent a significant portion of your overall costs. The table below provides an overview of the average utility bills in Nova Scotia:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, etc	CAD 148
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	CAD 104

Cost of Grocery in Nova Scotia

The cost of groceries in Nova Scotia is similar to that of Canada and can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Nova Scotia. It is a daily expense to prepare food at your place, and your meal preferences are factors that can affect the price of groceries in Nova Scotia.

Moreover, grocery prices vary based on where you shop and the quality of the products. To ensure you get the best value for your money, it’s important to compare prices across different stores. In the table below, we have provided a summary of average grocery expenses in Nova Scotia:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	CAD 2.87
1kg white Rice	CAD 6.12
500g Bread (White)	CAD 3.65
1kg Banana	CAD 2.22
1kg Oranges	CAD 5.41
1kg Apples	CAD 6.74
1kg Onion	CAD 3.24
1kg Tomato	CAD 6.27
12 Eggs	CAD 5.11
1kg Potato	CAD 3.26
1 litre Water bottle	CAD 1.59

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Restaurant Food Costs in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences, making dining out an exciting experience for residents, visitors and students alike. Although the cost of eating out in Nova Scotia is affordable and delightful, it can vary depending on the type of restaurant, the cuisine, and its location. Eating out in Nova Scotia can be more expensive than cooking in your place and can affect your average cost of living in Nova Scotia. Here’s an approximate estimate of the moderate cost of a meal at restaurants in Nova Scotia:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Lunch Menu	CAD 22.8
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person	CAD 98.6
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	CAD  12.8
Cappuccino	CAD 5.07

Transportation Costs in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia boasts an extensive public transportation network that includes various modes such as city ferries, trams, taxis, shuttles, buses, metro services, and cycling routes. The province is well-equipped with a reliable public bus system, with numerous stops strategically spread throughout urban and suburban areas, ensuring convenient access for residents and visitors alike.

It is important to evaluate transportation costs in Nova Scotia because you will have to commute to and from college while attending college, and transportation costs can have a significant impact on the total cost of living in Nova Scotia. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Nova Scotia area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	CAD 82.4
Ticket for Local Public transport	CAD 2.71
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 8 km	CAD 19.1
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	CAD 1.72

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Miscellaneous Costs in Nova Scotia

In addition to basic living expenses like housing, utilities, and groceries, there are various miscellaneous costs such as a gym subscription, movie tickets pair of dresses, small doctor’s appointments, etc that residents of Nova Scotia should consider when managing their budgets.

These expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyles and preferences but are important factors to account for in overall financial planning and you may need them in your ideal time after settling in Nova Scotia properly. These costs fall under miscellaneous costs. Please see the table below for a list of the miscellaneous charges we offer.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	CAD 13.8
Brand Jeans	CAD 84.9
Fitness Club	CAD 64.3
Brand Sneakers	CAD 140
Doctor’s visit	CAD 99.9

Cost of Living in Nova Scotia Compared to Other Cities

Nova Scotia is generally considered a moderately inexpensive place to live in comparison to some states in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in Nova Scotia to other cities, several factors come into the picture, like housing, transportation, dining, entertainment, etc. For those seeking a balanced lifestyle with lower living expenses, Nova Scotia remains an attractive option within Canada.

So, to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Nova Scotia compares to other cities like Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, USA, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Canada. We’ve given the cost of living in other cities. Please have a look:

Comparison with the Cost of Living in Nova Scotia	Cost of Living City-wise	Comparison with Cost of Living in Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in Ontario	CAD 3072 (including rent)	Higher than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in Alberta	CAD 2592 (including rent)	Lower than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in Quebec	CAD 2356 (including rent)	Lower than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in the USA	CAD 3315 (including rent)	Higher than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in British Columbia	CAD 3096 (including rent)	Higher than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in Saskatchewan	CAD 2306 (including rent)	Lower than Nova Scotia
Cost of Living in Canada	CAD 2782 (including rent)	Lower than Nova Scotia

Average Tuition Fees in Nova Scotia

Tuition fees in Nova Scotia vary widely depending on the institution, program, and level of study. While some universities offer lower tuition rates, others, particularly for specialised or graduate programs, may have higher fees. Prospective students should consider their educational goals, financial resources, and available scholarships or financial aid when planning their studies in Nova Scotia. The university fees can impact the overall cost of living in Nova Scotia. 

Careful financial planning can help students make the most of the high-quality education opportunities available in Nova Scotia. Please note that tuition fees depend on the university you select, the level of study and the field of study. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Nova Scotia universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
Dalhousie University	CAD 4050 – CAD 57410
St. Francis Xavier University	CAD 16960 -CAD  21860
Cape Breton University	CAD 15050 – CAD 20500
Acadia University	CAD 14750 – CAD 20950
Mount Saint Vincent University	CAD 8060 – CAD 20040
Saint Mary’s University	CAD 21150 – CAD 46500
Nova Scotia Community College	CAD 11690

Students can plan their finances more effectively by understanding the average tuition fees at universities in Nova Scotia. Although tuition fees in Nova Scotia are generally lower compared to other cities’ universities.

Conclusion: Having a clear picture of all the above costs allows students to budget wisely and make informed decisions about their education and living expenses. Moreover, it allows students to better manage their average tuition fees, the cost of living and miscellaneous costs while maintaining a comfortable standard of living in Nova Scotia. Proper financial planning ensures that students can take full advantage of the high-quality education available in the province.

How to Plan & Budget Before Moving (Pre-Arrival Checklist)

Proper financial and lifestyle planning before moving to Nova Scotia can help international students avoid last-minute stress and unexpected expenses. Here is a complete pre-arrival checklist to help you budget smartly and settle in smoothly.

1. Estimate Your First-Month Expenses

The first month is usually more expensive than regular months due to setup costs. Students should budget for:

• First month’s rent
• Security deposit
• Temporary accommodation (if permanent housing is not ready)
• Basic furniture, bedding, utensils
• Local SIM card and internet setup
• Initial grocery shopping
• Public transport pass

Having extra savings for the first month ensures you stay financially comfortable during the transition.

2. Arrange Accommodation in Advance

Housing is the biggest expense in Nova Scotia. Try to finalize your accommodation before arrival by:

• Checking university housing portals
• Exploring verified off-campus rental platforms
• Connecting with student groups and alumni

Also, confirm whether utilities are included in the rent to avoid budgeting errors.

3. Prepare Education-Related Costs

Apart from tuition fees, students should budget for:

• Books and study materials
• Stationery and printing
• Laptop or software expenses
• Lab or fieldwork charges (if applicable)

These academic expenses often get ignored during financial planning.

4. Secure Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for international students in Canada. Depending on your institution:

• Some universities automatically enroll students in insurance plans
• Others require students to purchase their own coverage

Always budget for medical insurance and emergency healthcare expenses before traveling.

5. Open an International Bank Account or Forex Card

To avoid high currency conversion charges:

• Carry a forex card for the initial months
• Open a Canadian bank account soon after arrival
• Set up online banking and mobile alerts

This ensures smooth payments for rent, fees, and daily expenses.

6. Plan Transportation Costs in Advance

Before you arrive:

• Check if your university offers discounted student transit passes
• Understand bus routes and monthly transport passes
• Budget for daily commute between home and campus

Transportation is a fixed monthly expense and should be planned in advance.

7. Budget for Seasonal Clothing & Winter Essentials

Nova Scotia experiences cold winters, and many students underestimate winter expenses. Keep a budget for:

• Winter jackets and boots
• Thermal wear
• Gloves, scarves, and snow accessories
• Heating costs during colder months

Buying these after arrival is often better than carrying them from home.

8. Plan Emergency & Backup Funds

Always keep an emergency fund for:

• Medical needs
• Unexpected travel
• Academic emergencies
• Job delays or income gaps

Financial experts recommend saving at least two to three months of living expenses as backup.

9. Research Part-Time Work Opportunities

Before moving:

• Check student work permit rules
• Research part-time job pay rates in Nova Scotia
• Understand the minimum wage and weekly work limits

Knowing earning potential helps balance your monthly budget better.

10. Create a Monthly Budget Tracker

Using a simple budget tracker helps students:

• Monitor spending habits
• Control food, transport, and entertainment expenses
• Avoid overspending during the initial months

You can use mobile budgeting apps or simple spreadsheets for expense tracking.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Nova Scotia

So, this was all about the cost of living in Nova Scotia. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.