Real 2026 monthly costs for Halifax, Nova Scotia — rent, food, transit, utilities, and childcare. Then a salary affordability table so you can quickly see if your income covers it.
Single adult / month
$3,035
Family of 4 / month
$6,501
Living wage (single)
$22.45/hr
| Category | Single (1BR) | Couple (1BR) | Family of 4 (2BR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,850 | $1,850 | $2,350 |
| Groceries | $415 | $768 | $1,328 |
| Transit | $90 | $180 | $180 |
| Utilities | $195 | $224 | $254 |
| Phone | $55 | $55 | $55 |
| Misc | $430 | $688 | $1,032 |
| Childcare (2 kids) | — | — | $1,302 |
| Total / month | $3,035 | $3,765 | $6,501 |
| Salary | Take-home / month | Single | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,160 | ✅ | ❌ |
| $75,000 | $4,499 | ✅ | ❌ |
| $100,000 | $5,788 | ✅ | ❌ |
| $150,000 | $8,302 | ✅ | ✅ |
"Affords" means take-home covers basic monthly cost — does not include savings, debt, or vacations.
Atlantic Canada's largest city. Rents have risen sharply since 2020. University and ocean industries.
Median household income in Halifax: $70,000 (Statistics Canada). Provincial code: NS (Nova Scotia).
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