Newfoundland and Labrador · Updated June 2026
Cost of living in St. John's
Newfoundland's capital keeps rents low, but groceries and home heating run high — distance from suppliers and a cold, electric-heat climate both add up.
What it costs each month in St. John's
Typical figures for a one-person household. Your own number depends on your housing, habits, and income — that’s what the Cost of Living Score assessment works out.
Rent is the CMHC average in-place one-bedroom rent (what current tenants pay), via Statistics Canada (2025-12). New-lease asking rents typically run higher.
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How St. John's compares
Common questions about living in St. John's
How much does it cost to live in St. John's?
A typical single-person household in St. John's spends about $1,809 per month on the essentials: $1,086 rent, $415 groceries, $78 transit, and $230 utilities.
What is the average rent in St. John's?
The CMHC in-place average for a one-bedroom in St. John's is about $1,086 per month — what current tenants pay, via Statistics Canada. New-lease asking rents typically run higher.
How much are utilities in St. John's?
Hydro, heating, and internet for a one-bedroom in St. John's run about $230 per month.
Is St. John's an affordable place to live?
St. John's scores 69/100 on our Cost of Living Score, where higher means more affordable — that's "Affordable". Its typical monthly essentials run about 15% below the average Canadian city we track.
How this score is calculated
The Cost of Living Score adds up a city’s typical monthly essentials — rent, groceries, transit, and utilities — and compares that total to the average across the Canadian cities we track. A city at the average scores around 50; cheaper cities score higher, pricier ones lower. Higher always means more affordable.
Sources: Rent is the CMHC Rental Market Survey 1-bedroom average (2025, via Statistics Canada) (St. John's CMA); groceries from Canada's Food Price Report 2025, interpolated upward for NL's higher food prices; transit is the Metrobus adult monthly pass; utilities reflect Newfoundland Power electric heat plus CRTC internet pricing. Figures are typical city-level estimates for a one-person household, not a personal budget, and shift over time. Last updated June 2026.