location_city BC vs location_city ON

Nanaimo vs Sudbury Cost of Living (2026)

Nanaimo is about 18% more expensive than Sudbury, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,800 a month in Nanaimo vs $1,500 in Sudbury.

The Verdict

Living in Sudbury is 15% cheaper than living in Nanaimo overall.

Nanaimo / month

$2,310

Sudbury / month

$1,988

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Your salary in Nanaimo $

Salary in Nanaimo

$100,000

Take-home $75,373 · $6,281/mo

Needed in Sudbury

$85,019

Take-home $63,693 · $5,308/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Sudbury you'd need $14,981 less a year (−15%).

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

Nanaimo

$1,800

17% cheaper

Sudbury

$1,500

shopping_cart

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Nanaimo

$420

5% cheaper

Sudbury

$400

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Monthly Transit Pass

Nanaimo

$90

2% cheaper

Sudbury

$88

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