5 Cheapest Cities in Canada For Indian Immigrants

 Are you looking to move to Canada this year?

Canada has become a top choice for Indians. However, the cost of living in Canada’s immigrant hubs such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal can be quite high - making it a bit challenging for newcomers. Fortunately, many cities in Canada offer a more affordable lifestyle with the same quality. 

If you are immigrating to Canada from India this year, and looking for an affordable place to settle, here are the top 5 cheapest cities you must check out! 

Top 5 Cheapest Cities to Live in Canada

1. Windsor, Ontario

Located at the southern border of Ontario, Windsor is a combination of affordability and quality of life. With a lower cost of living as compared to larger cities like Toronto and Montreal, Windsor in Ontario has quickly become a popular choice for Indian immigrants seeking affordable housing and amenities. 

Category	Description	Average monthly costs (in CAD)
Rent	Average monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment	$900 to $1100
Groceries	Average monthly grocery bill for a family of four	$400 to $500
Utilities	Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	$150 to $200
Transportation	Transit Windsor monthly pass	$80 to $100

2. Moncton, New Brunswick

Nestled in the maritime province of New Brunswick, Moncton is renowned for its low cost of living, vibrant cultural scenes, and welcoming community. Indian immigrants moving to Moncton can find a wide variety of affordable housing options to suit their needs. 

Category	Description	Average monthly costs (in CAD)
Rent	Average monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment	$800 to $1000
Groceries	Average monthly grocery bill for a family of four	$350 to $450
Utilities	Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	$120 to $150
Transportation	Codiac Transpo monthly pass	$60 to $80

3. Trois-Rivières, Quebec

Situated in the middle of Montreal and Quebec City, Trois-Rivières offers Indians an affordable alternative to the skyrocketing cost of living in the metropolises of Quebec. Combining rich history, jaw-dropping architecture, and picturesque landscape - Trois-Rivières is an excellent choice for Indians moving to Canada.

Category	Description	Average monthly costs (in CAD)
Rent	Average monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment	$600 to $800
Groceries	Average monthly grocery bill for a family of four	$350 to $450
Utilities	Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	$100 to $130
Transportation	Monthly bus pass	$70 to $90

4. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Situated on the banks of the Southern parts of the Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon offers Indian immigrants a booming economy, with an affordable lifestyle - and a strong community. One of the top cities where immigrants looking to apply for Canada PR from India prefer settling in. 

Category	Description	Average monthly costs (in CAD)
Rent	Average monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment	$800 to $1000
Groceries	Average monthly grocery bill for a family of four	$400 to $500
Utilities	Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	$150 to $180
Transportation	Saskatoon Transit monthly pass	$80 to $100

5. Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax offers newcomers a unique blend of cultural richness with a low cost of living. With stunning architecture and scenic waterfront, Halifax showcases a welcoming environment for Indians looking to settle in Atlantic Canada.

Category	Description	Average monthly costs (in CAD)
Rent	Average monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment	$900 to $1100
Groceries	Average monthly grocery bill for a family of four	$400 to $500
Utilities	Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	$150 to $200
Transportation	Halifax Transit monthly pass	$70 to $90

Ready to make the move?

Pursuing immigration to Canada from India involves navigating through various factors and requirements. Seek guidance from the best Immigration Consultants in Delhi if you’re having trouble. 

Good Luck!

Starting April 30, 2024, fees to apply for Canada PR will increase!

 The immigration department of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the fees to apply for Canada PR will increase. The fee hike will apply to candidates applying for Canada PR on or after April 30, 2024, at 9:00:00 AM. 

The hike is being introduced according to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), which is calculated “in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase to the Consumer Price Index for Canada, published by Statistics Canada.”

Updated Canada PR Fees List

The current fees to apply for Canada PR and the fees updated as of April 30, 2024, are listed below.

Program	Applicants	Current Fees (April 2022 – March 2024)	New Fees (April 2024 – March 2026)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$515	$575
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Principal applicant	$850	$950
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$850	$950
	Accompanying dependent child	$230	$260
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Principal applicant	$570	$635
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Business (federal and Quebec)	Principal applicant	$1,625	$1,810
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$850	$950
	Accompanying dependent child	$230	$260
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsorship fee	$75	$85
	Sponsored principal applicant	$490	$545
	Sponsored child (principal applicant under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner)	$75	$85
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Protected persons	Principal applicant	$570	$635
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Principal applicant	$570	$635
	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Permit holders	Principal applicant	$335	$375

Notes from IRCC

IRCC also stated that in addition to dependent children and protected persons - the following groups of applicants are exempt from paying the department’s Right of Permanent Residence (RPR) fee:

• Sponsored child under 22 years old who does not have a spouse/partner.

• Principal applicants under the humanitarian and compassionate consideration and public policy classes.

Furthermore, IRCC states that “Permit Holders” class Canada PR applicants are not eligible to include family members as part of their Canada Immigration process. Instead, such individuals must submit their own application for permanent residence as the principal applicant. 

The fees to apply for Canada PR increase every 2 years to manage growing program and service delivery costs and to keep up with inflation.