location_city BC vs location_city NL

Nanaimo vs St. John's Cost of Living (2026)

Nanaimo is about 23% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,800 a month in Nanaimo vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in St. John's is 18% cheaper than living in Nanaimo overall.

Nanaimo / month

$2,310

St. John's / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Your salary in Nanaimo $

Salary in Nanaimo

$100,000

Take-home $75,373 · $6,281/mo

Needed in St. John's

$81,513

Take-home $58,801 · $4,900/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in St. John's you'd need $18,487 less a year (−18%).

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.

Expense Breakdown

real_estate_agent

Average Rent

1-Bed City Center

Nanaimo

$1,800

22% cheaper

St. John's

$1,400

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Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Nanaimo

$420

7% more expensive

St. John's

$450

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Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

Nanaimo

$90

11% cheaper

St. John's

$80

Keep going

Plan your move

Nanaimo Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for Nanaimo workers St. John's Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for St. John's workers Rent vs BuyRent or buy after moving to St. John's?

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