Canada Real Estate Comparison 2025

Cheapest Province to Buy a Home in Canada 2025

Complete comparison of average home prices AND land transfer taxes across all Canadian provinces — so you can see the true total cost of buying in each province, not just the sticker price.

Quick Verdict — Cheapest Provinces by Total Cost

Cheapest Overall

New Brunswick — lowest prices AND simple 1% deed transfer tax

NB

Lowest Transfer Cost

Newfoundland — near-zero land recording fee ($236 on $340K)

NL

Best Urban Value

Winnipeg, MB — major city, under $400K average, no municipal LTT

MB

Most Expensive

British Columbia — $900K+ average, 3% LTT on homes over $3M

BC

All Provinces Compared — Prices & Land Transfer Taxes (2025)

Province Avg. Home Price Transfer Tax Type Transfer Tax on Avg. Home Total Transfer Cost
🥇New Brunswick~$320,0001% flat deed transfer$3,200~$320K + $3,200
🥈Newfoundland & Labrador~$340,000Land recording fee only~$236~$340K + $236
Manitoba~$380,000Graduated 0–2%~$5,250~$380K + $5,250
Saskatchewan~$320,000Title transfer fee (minimal)~$350~$320K + $350
PEI~$410,0001% RTT (above $30K)~$3,800~$410K + $3,800
Nova Scotia~$480,000Municipal ~1–1.5% (no provincial)~$4,800–$7,200~$480K + $4,800–7,200
Alberta~$510,000Title transfer fee (minimal)~$500~$510K + $500
Quebec~$490,000Welcome tax (graduated)~$6,800~$490K + $6,800
Ontario~$830,000Provincial LTT (graduated)~$13,975~$830K + $13,975+
British Columbia~$900,000Provincial PTT (graduated 1–5%)~$16,000~$900K + $16,000+

Note: Prices are provincial averages across all property types. Toronto buyers add a second municipal LTT equal to the provincial amount. All figures approximate.

Save Smarter Wherever You Buy

KOHO earns $100 bonus + 5% grocery cashback — code 45ET55JSYA

Get $100 Bonus →

New Brunswick — The Overall Winner for Affordability

New Brunswick combines the lowest average home prices in eastern Canada (~$320,000) with a simple and affordable 1% flat deed transfer tax. Moncton's rapid growth makes NB's real estate market both accessible and potentially appreciating.

For someone relocating from Ontario or BC, buying in New Brunswick can mean paying 60–70% less for a home — freeing up hundreds of thousands of dollars for retirement savings, business investment, or simply better quality of life.

Newfoundland — Lowest Transfer Costs

NL's near-zero land recording fee (~$236 on a $340K home) makes it the clear winner for minimal closing costs. Saskatchewan and Alberta also have minimal transfer fees — but NL home prices are generally lower than Alberta's rapidly appreciating market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which province has the cheapest homes in Canada?
By average home price, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland typically compete for the lowest averages. NB and SK consistently sit around $300K–$340K average, though NB's Moncton market has been appreciating faster than SK cities in recent years.
Which province has no land transfer tax?
Alberta and Saskatchewan have no true land transfer tax — only minimal title transfer/registration fees (typically under $500). Newfoundland's Land Recording Fee (~$236 on a $340K home) is also effectively negligible. New Brunswick's 1% and PEI's 1% are the next lowest in eastern Canada.
Is it worth moving to Atlantic Canada to save on housing costs?
Many Canadians have made this calculation and concluded yes. A Toronto or Vancouver household that sells a $1M+ property and relocates to Atlantic Canada can often buy outright, eliminate their mortgage, and significantly improve their financial position — especially with remote work making location-flexible careers more common.
How do land transfer taxes compare on a $500,000 home across provinces?
On a $500,000 home: NL ~$300, SK ~$400, AB ~$400, NB $5,000, PEI $4,700, NS ~$5,000–7,500, MB ~$8,300, QC ~$7,000, ON ~$6,475, Toronto (ON+municipal) ~$12,950, BC ~$8,000. Ontario and BC are the most expensive, especially in their major cities.