location_city ON vs location_city BC

Kingston vs Nanaimo Cost of Living (2026)

Nanaimo is about 8% more expensive than Kingston, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,800 a month in Nanaimo vs $1,650 in Kingston.

The Verdict

Living in Nanaimo is 8% more expensive than living in Kingston overall.

Kingston / month

$2,145

Nanaimo / month

$2,310

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Kingston $

Salary in Kingston

$100,000

Take-home $74,206 · $6,184/mo

Needed in Nanaimo

$108,187

Take-home $81,074 · $6,756/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Nanaimo you'd need $8,187 more a year (+8%).

Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.

real_estate_agent

1-Bed City Center

Kingston

$1,650

9% more expensive

Nanaimo

$1,800

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Kingston

$410

2% more expensive

Nanaimo

$420

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Monthly Transit Pass

Kingston

$85

6% more expensive

Nanaimo

$90

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