Ontario vs Newfoundland - costs of living comparison

Newfoundland is approximately 30–45% cheaper to live in than Ontario overall, with the biggest gap in housing — average home prices in NL are roughly $785,000 lower than in Toronto, and rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,000–$1,200/month less. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and utilities are broadly comparable, but heating costs in Newfoundland are higher due to the colder, longer winters. Income taxes are higher in NL at upper brackets, while Ontario offers a larger job market and higher average salaries.

This guide compares every major cost category between Ontario and Newfoundland with current 2026 numbers so you can make a fully informed decision.

Ontario vs Newfoundland: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

Sources: CMHC Rental Market Report 2025, Statistics Canada CPI, Numbeo Canada 2026, Canada Revenue Agency 2026 tax rates.

Housing: The Biggest Difference

Housing is where Ontario and Newfoundland diverge most dramatically, and it’s the primary reason so many Ontarians are considering the move east.

Buying a home

For Ontarians priced out of the housing market, Newfoundland represents a genuine opportunity to achieve homeownership. The equity from selling a Toronto or GTA property can often purchase a Newfoundland home outright. If you’re considering the move, Centennial Moving handles Ontario to Newfoundland moves door-to-door including ferry coordination.

Renting

Utilities and Energy Costs

This is one area where Newfoundland’s advantage narrows. Both provinces have comparable electricity rates, but Newfoundland’s longer, colder winters mean heating costs are significantly higher — particularly for homes that rely on heating oil.

• Ontario electricity: $120–$180/month average (Hydro One and local utilities)
• NL electricity: $130–$200/month (NL Power — rates are relatively low in Atlantic Canada)
• Ontario home heating: $100–$200/month (natural gas, which is cheaper and more efficient)
• NL home heating (oil): $250–$450/month from September through May — heating oil prices are volatile and can spike in cold winters

The heating gap is real and worth budgeting for carefully. An NL household can spend $1,500–$2,500 more per year on energy than a comparable Ontario household, which partially offsets savings in other categories.

Groceries and Food

Grocery costs in both provinces are broadly comparable to the national average, with some important nuances:

• Ontario has more retail competition (multiple major grocery chains, discount stores like No Frills and Food Basics), which keeps prices competitive — especially in cities
• Newfoundland has fewer grocery store options, which can limit competition and raise prices on some imported goods
• NL advantage: Local seafood — cod, crab, lobster, salmon — is available at dramatically lower prices than anywhere in Ontario. This can meaningfully reduce food costs for households that eat seafood regularly

Transportation

Transportation costs differ significantly between the two provinces, primarily because public transit in Newfoundland is far less developed outside of St. John’s.

• Ontario: Extensive public transit in Toronto (TTC), Ottawa (OC Transpo), Hamilton, and other cities. Monthly TTC pass: $156. GO Transit connects suburban communities. Car ownership is optional in major cities.
• Newfoundland: Metrobus serves St. John’s metro area ($94/month pass). Outside St. John’s, a personal vehicle is essential — there is no intercity bus network comparable to Ontario’s.
• Car insurance: Ontario has among the highest car insurance rates in Canada ($1,800–$2,800/year). NL is significantly lower ($1,200–$1,800/year).
• Gasoline: Comparable between provinces — both averaging $1.55–$1.75/litre in 2026.
• Ferry costs: Unique to NL — if you travel to the mainland, factor in Marine Atlantic ferry costs ($130–$360 per trip depending on route and vehicle).

Taxes: Ontario vs Newfoundland

This is one area where Ontario has a clear advantage, particularly for higher earners.

For someone earning $60,000/year, the tax difference between provinces is meaningful but not dramatic. For someone earning $150,000+, the difference becomes very significant. Ontario’s lower income tax rates are a real financial advantage for high earners.

Healthcare

Both provinces offer publicly funded healthcare. Key differences:

• Ontario (OHIP): 3-month waiting period for new residents from another province. More hospitals, more specialized clinics, shorter wait times in urban centres. More private clinic options.
• Newfoundland (MCP): No waiting period — coverage begins immediately upon establishing residency. Fewer specialized facilities, particularly outside St. John’s. Physician shortages in rural areas are a real challenge.

For most everyday healthcare needs, both provinces are comparable. The gap widens if you need specialist care — Ontario’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in Toronto, is significantly more developed.

Job Market and Salaries

This is Ontario’s clearest advantage. Toronto is Canada’s financial and commercial capital, with the deepest job market in the country across virtually every sector. Average salaries in Ontario are higher than in Newfoundland, and the concentration of corporate head offices, banks, and tech companies creates opportunities that simply don’t exist at the same scale in NL.

Newfoundland’s main employment sectors are government and public administration, healthcare, education, offshore oil and gas (in St. John’s), and fisheries. The tech sector is growing but remains small. Outside of St. John’s, job options in professional fields are limited.

For remote workers, this difference disappears. If you work remotely and earn an Ontario salary while living in Newfoundland, you get the best of both worlds — and the financial advantage is substantial.

Is Moving from Ontario to Newfoundland Worth It?

For the right person, absolutely. The people who benefit most from the move are:

• Remote workers earning Ontario or Alberta salaries
• Retirees seeking affordable homeownership and a slower pace
• Families who want to buy a detached home without a $1M+ price tag
• Anyone who values natural environment, community, and quality of life over urban amenities

The people for whom the move makes less sense are those who depend on Toronto’s or Ottawa’s job market for career advancement, or those who need specialized healthcare regularly available.

For more detail on life in Newfoundland, see our guides on the pros and cons of moving to Newfoundland and the full cost of living in Newfoundland breakdown.

When you’re ready to make the move, Centennial Moving’s long distance movers to Newfoundland handle relocations from anywhere in Ontario with full door-to-door service including Marine Atlantic ferry coordination. Get a free quote within 24 hours.