Most Affordable Cities In Canada For Living And Travel
Canada finds itself within the top spots on all sorts of rankings the fifth most expensive country in the world, one of the most-loved countries in the world, as well as offering some of the top universities around the globe and the highest life expectancy rate. In other words, Canada is the dream country for a lot of people and for a lot of good reasons: bacon, maple syrup, breathtaking natural scenery, over-the-top-politeness, hockey, and great healthcare. But if you want to move there, youre probably looking for the most affordable cities in Canada, eh?
While you wont find the cheapest rent in Canada in, say, Toronto, with a bit of research and some basic budgeting skills, we dare say that living in Canada can be a lot more affordable than living in cities like New York, Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles.
When To Book A Hotel In Canada
Check out the information below to find the best deal on a hotel room in Canada
Low Season |
most expensive time to stay |
14% |
is the most expensive day of the week to book | |
Cheapest day of week | is the cheapest day of the week to book |
$165 | is the average per night cost for a hotel on this day |
$141 | is the average per night cost for a hotel on this day |
Best Overall Hostels In Canada Hi Vancouver Central
- $$
- 24 Hour Security
- Free Breakfast
So if you were looking for one of the best overall hostels in Canada, here it is. HI Vancouver Central. And it IS central. Youll find it in the middle of Granville Street, close to all the action nearby so youll never get bored.
The vibe at this Vancouver backpackers hostel is a mix of fun and chill balance is key, right? There are a load of different rooms on offer here and the staff actually listen to what travellers want. We likey.
We also like the FREE all-you-can-eat breakfast each morning. Very good value. On top of that, cleanliness is a priority here.
- 24 Hour Reception
- Outdoor Terrace
This place seriously, this place Its very cool, very stylish, massive and has basically everything you need to make your stay in Montreal the best possible.
Thanks to the design hostel vibes here were gonna say its not only the coolest hostel in Montreal, but in all Canada. The dorms alone are proper cool.
So, yeah, looks-wise alone were saying this is EASILY one of the best overall hostels in Canada. EASILY. Plus its super close to the metro and historic areas of the city. They also have events going all the time, like happy hours and live music. Top notch stuff going on here.
- Luggage Storage
- Cafe
- 24 Hour Reception
- Bar
- Bicycle Hire
- Luggage Storage
Easily among the best of the best overall hostels in Canada, there are bikes you can hire to go explore different neighbourhoods on your doorstep.
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The 10 Best Cheap Hotels In Canada
- What is the price for cheap hotels in Canada?Over the last 30 days, cheap hotels in Canada have been available starting from $57, though prices have typically been closer to $85.Price estimates were calculated on October 17, 2020. See the latest prices.Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
- Do any cheap hotels in Canada have a pool?Popular cheap hotels in Canada that have a pool include:
- What are the best cheap hotels in Canada?Some of the best cheap hotels in Canada are:Elizabeth Lake Lodge – Traveler rating: 5.0/5
- What is the price for cheap hotels in Canada this weekend?Nightly rates for cheap hotels in Canada are starting from $64 this weekend.Price estimates were calculated on October 17, 2020. See the latest prices.Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
- Which cheap hotels in Canada have rooms with great views?These cheap hotels in Canada have great views and are well-liked by travelers:
Prince George British Columbia

One of the most affordable places to live in British Columbia is Prince George. According to MSN Money, Prince George is the largest city in northern British Columbia. Employment opportunities are diverse in this city, and the average monthly salary is $3,633.50. The average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is around $878 a month, while basic utilities will cost a further $195 monthly. The median cost to purchase a property is just over $289 thousand.
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How Much Do Hotels In Banff Really Cost
Accommodation in Banff is brutal. I mean BRUTAL on your budget. Whether yourelooking on Booking.com or Airbnb, a full apartment or hotel room costs prettymuch the same when booking for two people. A typical hotel costs between $120-$200 per night.
Who knew that getting in touch with nature would cost so much green?
The reason is simple: Banffs resident areas are extremely small, and has a near zero vacancy rate with loads of restrictions on new development. Now imagine millions oftourists visiting every year, and youll understand how they can charge so much!
That is why the most important piece of advice I can give you is this:
BOOK IN ADVANCE. Im not just talking about 2 or 3 months in advance. Im talking 6+ monthsin advance. Its February 2020, and the majority of Banff accomodation is already filling up,and some of the most desirable places are full. Im not trying to be dramatic,Im trying to help you save money!
Ive shared the best-rated and budget-amenable Banff accommodation below. Ill also share exactly where we stayed during our three days in Banffto bring down the costs for a family of four.
Banff Rocky Mountain Resort
Hidden away in a forest setting at the corner of Banff Avenue and Tunnel Mountain Road, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort offers its guests a ton of amenities at a very affordable price.
This inexpensive Banff hotel has an indoor swimming pool, an indoor & outdoor hot tub, a health and fitness club, squash courts, tennis courts and a basketball court. Theres even a play area for the kids!
With the beautiful setting and the long list of amenities, we wouldnt blame you for spending all your time at this affordable Banff resort hotel. When its time to go into town, the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort offers a free shuttle service to town, or you can drive yourself its only 6-minutes away.
In addition to the standard hotel rooms, guests at this affordable Banff hotel can stay in a loft, or a 1-bedroom apartment or even a 2-bedroom apartment. Many of the rooms feature a full kitchen, enabling you to stretch your Banff travel budget even further by cooking a few meals.
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Montreal One Of The Most Unique Places To Stay In Canada
Montreal is one of the coolest cities in the world and an absolute must-visit in French Canada! This is the largest urban centre in Quebec and is home to a vast and multicultural population that is rivalled only by Toronto. Its no wonder that Montreal is fast becoming one of the most visited cities in North America.
Whilst Quebec City is the official capital of Quebec, Montreal is the cultural heart of the province and where you will find cutting edge entertainment, bustling art galleries and fantastic restaurants! With the Old Port and Central Business District bordering each other, Montreal is a city of contrasts that delicately blend tradition with contemporary style.
Montreal might be the second-largest French-speaking city in the world behind Paris, but most of the population can also speak English making it the most accessible place in the province! The French influence remains apparent around every corner, with some of the most unique architecture in North America.
Median Income By Province
Before we head into the cheapest place to live in Canada discussion, lets see how provinces line up based on the median income. The income below belongs to individuals aged 16 and older. Here is the latest data provided by Stats Canada:
Province |
Related Reading:Net Worth By Age In Canada: How Do You Stack Up?
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More Places To Stay In Canada
Weve only covered a handful of locations and theres a lot more where these come from! After all, Canada is a huge country with a huge variety of places to check out.
Here are some cities and towns that werent able to cover in this guide. Theyre all unique and worth exploring on their own!
How Can I Stay In Banff For Cheap
Banff is one of the most expensive places to travel in Canada. You can stay in Banff for cheap by staying in low season, or by finding an inexpensive hotel or hostel. Affordable accommodations in Banff typically sacrifice a downtown location or expensive amenities like a pool in order to keep costs down for guests. We have listed the best affordable places to stay in Banff within this post.
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What Is The Most Affordable Place To Live In Canada
Of the larger Canadian cities, Montreal remains the most affordable big city in Canada to rent. The average price of a months rent in Canadas second-largest city is still under $1,000, and much less if you are sharing accommodation. This compares favourably with other large Canadian cities. Other cities in Quebec, such as Quebec City and Gatineau, are even more affordable when it comes to rent.
Their data also makes clear that while Ontario is home to Canadas most expensive cities for renting, its also home to some of the most affordable. Newcomers seeking more affordable rentals should look towards smaller cities in Ontario and Quebec.
MoneySense also has a useful study on rent prices in Canada, and their data makes clear that while Ontario is home to Canadas most expensive cities for renting, as outlined above, its also home to some of the cheapest. Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, and Cornwall have good accommodation for rent at a fraction of the cost youd find in Toronto.
Newcomers to Canada seeking more affordable rentals may look towards smaller cities in Ontario and Quebec.
Make the most of your move to Canada
Create a Moving2Canada account to help you settle, and get a copy of our Getting Started Guide!
Can You Visit Banff Now

The entry requirements for Canada state that many tourists can in fact visit Canada again.
Generally speaking, you need to be fully vaccinated and be able to show proof of vaccination. That means either a single dose of J& J or your second dose of Pfizer/Moderna/AstraZeneca at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. You also need to get a pre-entry test, which must be a PCR test and not an antigen test.
Finally, you must use the ArriveCAN app to upload your mandatory information such of proof of vaccination and other travel details. You must do that within 72 hours before your arrival in Canada. You also need to bring your original proof of vaccination with you into the country.
Thankfully, the Canadian government has been able to lift its mandatory 2-week quarantine for vaccinated foreign nationals. Residents of the United States have been able to visit again as of August 9th, and the ban on flights from India ended on September 26th. The entire country of Canada is almost 74% vaccinated as of early November.
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Doors Open Ontario Getaways
Explore great architecture, museums and go on walking tours all for free across Ontario throughout summer during Doors Open Ontario Days. Plan a home stay, where you can get accommodations for ~ 50 dollars and you are all set!
Similar to Doors Open, Culture Days weekend , is a great time to visit Ontarios Big Cities. There will be plenty of free activities , performances and more across the province .
Dont Forget To Check Groupon For Niagara Falls Hotel Deals
One great way to save on Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada hotel accommodations is to peruse Groupon, the money-saving website that features local discounts in 150 cities.
Visit the Niagara Falls Hotels Groupon page and youll find savings of up to 50% on places to stay.
The Groupon Niagara Falls Hotels page is a smart place to start when youre first planning your trip and even when youre in the middle of your Niagara Falls visit because new deals get added weekly and even daily many times.
Be thrifty and practical! This information was accurate when published, but can change without notice. We recommend you confirm all details with the provider in question before planning your excursion.
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Quick Answers: Where Is The Best Place To Stay In Canada
- Overall Best Place to Stay in Canada Toronto
- Best Place to Stay in Canada For Families Niagara Falls
- Most Romantic Place to Stay in Canada for Couples Vancouver Island
- Coolest Place to Stay in Canada Vancouver
- Where to Stay in Canada on a Budget Quebec City
- One of the Most Unique Places to Stay in Canada Montreal
- Where to Stay in Canada for Adventure Calgary and Banff
- Where to Stay in Canada Off the Beaten Path Whitehorse
Best Hostel In Canada M Montreal Montreal
As the winner of Best Hostel in Canada in 2020, M Montreal, of course, had to take our top spot for backpacker accommodation in the country! This huge hostel has everything you could possibly want with vast social areas, a spacious roof terrace with views of the city and even jacuzzi baths. Whats more they also have complimentary city tours and a free breakfast every morning.
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Cheapest Places To Live In Canada
There are a lot of variables that may go into deciding what the cheapest cities to live in Canada are. The cost and considerations might also be different for individuals and families.
For this list, we have decided upon two comprehensive variables: Monthly cost of living for a single individual and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. These two variables encompass the total cost of living for a particular place. The data is gathered from Numbeo and Wikipedia.
When Is Low Season In Banff
Staying during low season in Banff is an excellent way to find a cheap place to stay in Banff National Park. Banff has two low seasons:
1) From late March to June, the ski season winds down and the snow starts to melt. You can enjoy some beautiful spring weather during this time, yet the mountains will still look incredible with snow-capped peaks.
2) A visit to Banff in the fall is an excellent time to visit the national park. The crowds are mostly gone, but the warm weather can still linger. Be aware that for 2 weeks every fall, Alberta goes crazy for the larch trees and prices of hotels spike.
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Best Hostels In Canada For Digital Nomads Ywca Hotel
- $$$
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
True to its name, this youth hostel in Vancouver is kinda like a hotel. But thats a good thing. Especially if youre a digital nomad. You can get yourself a private room for a good nights sleep then head to the lobby to work on your laptop, or just work in your room.
Yep. Theres a coffee bar in the lobby which is decent. One of the best hostels in Canada for digital nomads, its also just a couple of blocks from the Skytrain meaning you can explore the city pretty easily when youve had enough typing for the day.
- Laundry Facilities
- Outdoor Terrace
Despite probably having THE most basic name weve ever seen we love this place. Its in Cabbagetown, which is the place for you if you like row upon row of cute 19th-century buildings, cafes, bars and all sorts of other stuff.
The hostel has nice places to work, so nice that we reckon its one of the best hostels in Canada for digital nomads. And if you dont fancy chilling in the hostel lounge or whatever, just head out and find some wi-fi in one of the many establishments around these parts. Easy.
- 24 Hour Security
- Book Exchange
Looking for one of the best hostels in Canada for digital nomads? Here it is, and its in Banff. One of the things that makes this such a decent place to stay is the staff: theyre super friendly. It might not be the coolest hostel in Banff, in fact, its pretty old.
- Free Breakfast
- 24 Hour Reception
- Free Breakfast
- Luggage Storage