Leslie Massey
New Brunswick, Canada, is a beautiful province full of natural wonders, from its rivers, forests and mountains to the world-famous Bay of Fundy. It offers an appealing lifestyle, attracting individuals, young professionals and families alike. The province has affordable cities to live in, with the cost of housing being relatively low compared to other Canadian provinces. New Brunswick also boasts one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 cases in the country, universal government-funded healthcare and an excellent education system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% (August 2023) |
| Median cost of buying a property | $293,800 (August 2023) |
| Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Fredericton | $1,250 (October 2023) |
| Predominant languages | English and French |
| Main airport | Greater Moncton International Airport |
| Ferry services | 9 different services across the province |
| Public transport | Affordable and easy |
| Weather | Coldest month: January (-13°C on average); Warmest month: July (25°C on average) |
| Population | Less than 800,000 people |
| Main industries | Fishing and agriculture |
What You'll Learn
Cost of living
New Brunswick has one of the lowest costs of living in Canada. The cost of living in New Brunswick is $1550, which is 1.19 times less expensive than the Canadian average. New Brunswick is ranked 10th most expensive and 9th best state to live in Canada. The average salary after taxes in New Brunswick is $2414, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.6 months.
Housing
The average house price in New Brunswick is around $155,000, though some sources state the median cost of buying a property is $293,800. In May 2020, the average house price was $192,000. In Fredericton, the average price of a home in October 2023 was $216,000, while in Saint John, it was $187,000. In Moncton, a one-bedroom apartment costs $698 per month, while in Fredericton, it costs $747, and in Saint John, it costs $648.
Utilities
The average monthly cost of utilities in Fredericton is $145.
Food
The average person in Fredericton spends $460 on groceries per month. A meal and a non-alcoholic drink in a restaurant costs $15 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants cost around $50-$80.
Transport
The average monthly cost of public transport in Fredericton is $290. The average monthly cost for a driver is $638.
Leisure and Entertainment
The average person in Fredericton spends $159 on leisure and entertainment per month. The average person spends $34 on clothing per month. The average spend on restaurants is $280 per month. The average monthly cost of internet is $60.
Healthcare
New Brunswick has basic, universal, government-funded healthcare. To be eligible for healthcare, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
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Transport options
New Brunswick has a well-developed transportation system, with a network of well-maintained highways, convenient air connections, and rail and sea connections.
Air Travel
New Brunswick is connected to the rest of North America and Europe by major airlines, including Air Canada Jazz, Westjet, Continental Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. The province has three national airports with scheduled services in Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John. The Bathurst airport also offers scheduled services, and there are regional airports at St. Léonard and Charlo.
Road Travel
New Brunswick has over 18,000 kilometres of highways and secondary roads crossing the province. The Trans-Canada Highway, Route 2, as well as Routes 1, 7, and 15, are all major routes with many kilometres of four-lane expressways. The speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour, with most major highways having a limit of 100 km/h (62 mph) and four-lane sections at 110 km/h (68 mph). Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers, and radar detectors are prohibited in vehicles. Driving is on the right, and passing on the left, as in all Canadian provinces and territories.
Rail Travel
Round-trip passenger rail service is provided three days a week by VIA Rail on the Ocean, a full-service train with stops in Moncton, Miramichi, Bathurst, Campbellton, and several smaller centres. Freight services are provided by CN Rail, with intermodal services at the Moncton yard. Two short-line railways, the New Brunswick Southern Railway and the New Brunswick East Coast Railway, also provide freight services.
Sea Travel
The province is served by an extensive network of ferries, both large and small, operated by the Department of Transportation and private companies. Ferry services are available year-round, with some operating only during the warmer summer months.
Public Transport
Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John offer comprehensive urban transit systems, including bus services. Intercity bus services are also available between many New Brunswick communities and connections to the rest of Canada and the United States. The largest service provider is Maritime Bus.
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Healthcare
The New Brunswick Department of Health oversees and administers healthcare programs and initiatives in the province. The province is divided into two healthcare regions: Vitalité Health Network and Horizon Health Network. Your region of service will be determined by where you settle.
To obtain healthcare services, you will need a New Brunswick Medicare card. This card is a key piece of identification, and Medicare covers most medically required services. There are, however, certain exceptions to Medicare coverage, including cosmetic procedures, dental care, eyeglasses, and alternative health services.
New Brunswick also has a Prescription Drug Program to assist residents in purchasing medication and related medical supplies. Under this program, eligible families are only responsible for prescription drug costs up to a calculated ceiling per year, after which the program covers the remaining costs.
Tele-Care 811 is a free, confidential health advice and information line. You can dial 811 toll-free within New Brunswick to speak to a registered nurse about health symptoms, injuries, or illnesses. They will assess your situation and provide information and advice. In an emergency, you can dial 911 or visit the local emergency department.
Finding a family doctor should be a priority when moving to New Brunswick, as they are your first stop for healthcare in Canada. Until you have a family doctor, there are walk-in and after-hours clinics available for care.
Dental care is also important to consider. Many New Brunswickers have a family dentist they see regularly for preventative care. Talk to your medical insurer and employer about how your dental coverage works.
Mental health services are available in New Brunswick as well. If you are feeling upset, depressed, or stressed, you can talk to your doctor, a counsellor at your immigration settlement agency, or a counsellor in your area. There are also community mental health centres, crisis centres, and addiction services throughout the province.
New Brunswick offers a variety of healthcare services and assistance plans, including specialised cancer care, mental health care, palliative care, and workplace injury assistance.
Private Health Insurance in New Brunswick
In addition to the government-funded healthcare system, private health insurance is also available in New Brunswick. This can provide coverage for services that may not be included in the provincial plan, such as vision care, ambulance transportation, registered therapists, home support services, and semi-private or private hospital accommodations.
The healthcare sector in New Brunswick is expected to see significant growth due to the ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare services. This means that there may be job opportunities in the healthcare sector for those moving to the province.
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Employment
New Brunswick is a great place to settle down, with affordable living, universal healthcare, and excellent education. The province has a stable and promising economy, with a healthy balance between transportation and manufacturing costs, taxes, and wages. The average yearly paycheck per person is around $65,000, with the entire province being quite affordable.
Job Market
The New Brunswick Public Service is one of the largest employers in the province. The job market in New Brunswick is diverse, with the following sectors offering the most opportunities:
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Retail and wholesale trade
The healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to see high growth due to the aging population and increasing demand for healthcare services.
Finding a Job
To find a job in New Brunswick, it is recommended to look for employment vacancies online. Websites like NBJobs.ca, Indeed, and LinkedIn are good places to start your search.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in New Brunswick is relatively low compared to other parts of Canada. As of August 2023, the median cost of buying a property was $293,800, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fredericton was $1,250 in October 2023.
Language
English and French are the predominant languages in New Brunswick, with French-speaking communities making up one-third of the population in the northern part of the province. Learning basic French can be helpful, especially if you plan to live in French-speaking cities like Moncton or Edmundston.
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Climate
New Brunswick has a continental climate, which is characterised by an early spring and a short autumn. There are large differences in temperature, both from day to day and between seasons. This type of climate gets more snow, but less precipitation overall.
The climate in New Brunswick is warm and temperate, with considerable rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature is approximately 12.1°C, with the warmest month being July, which has an average maximum temperature of 25°C. The coldest month is January, with an average minimum temperature of -13°C.
The driest month is November, with 75mm of precipitation, while the wettest month is December, with 105mm of rainfall. July sees the most rain days, with an average of 10.8 days of precipitation.
The summer season in New Brunswick is warm, humid, and wet, while the winters are very cold and snowy. The best time to visit New Brunswick for warm-weather activities is from mid-July to late September.
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Frequently asked questions
New Brunswick has a low cost of housing compared to other Canadian provinces. The cost of renting or buying a home is affordable, with one-bedroom apartments available for less than $500 outside cities. The province is also known for its friendly residents and natural beauty, including forests, mountains, and the Bay of Fundy.
The unemployment rate in New Brunswick is relatively high at 8.7%, and many jobs are seasonal. The province also recognises French as one of its official languages, so learning basic French can be helpful for communication.
The median cost of buying a property in New Brunswick is $293,800 as of August 2023. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fredericton, NB is $1,250 as of October 2023.
The province has a variety of climates, with the coldest month being January, averaging -13°C, and the warmest month being July, averaging 25°C. The most rain falls in December, with an average rainfall of 105 mm.
Fredericton, the capital city, is a good choice for those seeking a quieter city with access to modern amenities. Moncton, the largest city in New Brunswick, is officially bilingual, with a French-speaking neighbourhood. Riverview is a quiet town surrounded by natural beauty and ideal for those seeking access to rivers, forests, and hiking trails.
