Is $68,000 a good salary in Halifax, Nova Scotia?
Is $68,000 a good salary in Halifax, Nova Scotia?
$68,000 is $15,100 more than the average yearly salary of $52,900 in Halifax. A salary of $68,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $49,318 per year after taxes, or $4,110 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment. The average household income in Halifax is $99,200.
Updated: May 1, 2026
Average Cost of Living per Month in Halifax
The average cost of living in Halifax is $3,870/month for a single person who rents.This average is based on many factors including the cost of housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.
Average cost of living
$3,870/month
Monthly net income of $68,000/year
$4,110/month
Average total income in 2020
$52,900
Average total household income in 2020
$99,200
Average Salary in Halifax
The average salary in Halifax is $52,900, which is 2.8% lower than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $68,000 a year in Halifax makes 28.5% more than the average working person in Halifax and will take home about $49,318.
Cost of Living Calculator
Below are the details used to generate the average Cost of Living for Halifax. Change the inputs to match your lifestyle and see how it compares to the average cost of living and a salary of $68,000.
Renter
Homeowner
Housing
The average monthly cost of rental housing in Halifax is $1,785.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month
|
$2,095
|
$1,700
|
$2,700
|
|
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month
|
$1,785
|
$1,200
|
$2,650
|
|
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month
|
$3,269
|
$2,800
|
$4,000
|
|
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month
|
$2,712
|
$2,350
|
$3,400
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Transit
Driver
Transportation
The average monthly cost for a driver in Halifax is $702.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Gasoline (1 Liter), Transportation
|
$1.56
|
$1.40
|
$1.93
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car), Transportation
|
$39,580
|
$39,580
|
$40,000
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car), Transportation
|
$31,292
|
$25,160
|
$37,773
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Groceries
The average person spends $524 on groceries per month in Halifax.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter), Markets
|
$3.10
|
$1.85
|
$5.00
|
|
Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf), Markets
|
$3.89
|
$2.35
|
$5.00
|
|
Eggs (12, Large Size), Markets
|
$5.28
|
$4.00
|
$6.00
|
|
Local Cheese (1 kg), Markets
|
$12.78
|
$8.00
|
$30.00
|
|
Bottled Water (1.5 Liter), Markets
|
$2.71
|
$1.73
|
$4.60
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range), Markets
|
$21.00
|
$14.00
|
$28.75
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle), Markets
|
$5.84
|
$3.50
|
$8.00
|
|
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Markets
|
$6.64
|
$4.00
|
$10.00
|
|
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro), Markets
|
$22.00
|
$18.50
|
$28.99
|
|
Apples (1 kg), Markets
|
$6.83
|
$3.29
|
$9.52
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 kg), Markets
|
$17.17
|
$8.00
|
$23.00
|
|
Oranges (1 kg), Markets
|
$5.74
|
$4.30
|
$9.00
|
|
Potatoes (1 kg), Markets
|
$4.22
|
$1.00
|
$7.00
|
|
Lettuce (1 Head), Markets
|
$3.49
|
$2.97
|
$4.59
|
|
White Rice (1 kg), Markets
|
$5.58
|
$2.00
|
$10.00
|
|
Tomatoes (1 kg), Markets
|
$6.20
|
$4.00
|
$8.84
|
|
Bananas (1 kg), Markets
|
$2.25
|
$1.90
|
$4.00
|
|
Onions (1 kg), Markets
|
$3.97
|
$2.00
|
$7.58
|
|
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg), Markets
|
$19.44
|
$7.47
|
$24.25
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Utilities
The average monthly cost of utilities in Halifax is $179.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage), Utilities (Monthly)
|
$216.04
|
$121.43
|
$318.75
|
|
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher), Utilities (Monthly)
|
$95.28
|
$68.40
|
$130.00
|
|
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data), Utilities (Monthly)
|
$55.72
|
$39.00
|
$75.00
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Leisure & Entertainment
The average person in Halifax spends $155 on leisure & entertainment per month.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monthly Fitness Club Membership, Sports And Leisure
|
$56.00
|
$20.00
|
$115.00
|
|
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend), Sports And Leisure
|
$24.17
|
$20.00
|
$25.00
|
|
Cinema Ticket (International Release), Sports And Leisure
|
$15.50
|
$13.00
|
$20.00
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Clothing
The average person in Halifax spends $43 on clothing per month.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar), Clothing And Shoes
|
$87.55
|
$60.00
|
$120.00
|
|
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M), Clothing And Shoes
|
$44.78
|
$29.99
|
$60.00
|
|
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range), Clothing And Shoes
|
$139.64
|
$100.00
|
$170.00
|
|
Men's Leather Business Shoes, Clothing And Shoes
|
$162.39
|
$80.00
|
$200.00
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Restaurants
The average person in Halifax spends $332 on restaurants per month.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant, Restaurants
|
$25.00
|
$20.00
|
$40.00
|
|
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks), Restaurants
|
$85.00
|
$60.00
|
$140.00
|
|
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal), Restaurants
|
$15.00
|
$14.00
|
$16.00
|
|
Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter), Restaurants
|
$8.00
|
$5.00
|
$12.50
|
|
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants
|
$9.00
|
$5.00
|
$12.00
|
|
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants
|
$3.21
|
$2.98
|
$4.00
|
|
Bottled Water (0.33 Liter), Restaurants
|
$2.47
|
$2.00
|
$3.00
|
|
Cappuccino (Regular Size), Restaurants
|
$6.08
|
$3.50
|
$8.00
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
Other
The average person in Halifax spends $150 on miscellaneous goods and services per month.
| Product | Avg. | Min. | Max. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child, Childcare
|
$1,249
|
$900
|
$1,468
|
|
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child, Childcare
|
$21,760
|
$17,620
|
$33,000
|
Updated: 2026-05-01 (67 contributors in the last 12 months)
General Disclaimer: This tool is designed for approximation purposes only and should not be used to replace a legal or accounting authority. To simplify the process, some variables are assumed to calculate the numbers included on this page. The results of this calculator should not be relied upon to determine career or tax decisions.
Your Results
Disclaimer: These numbers estimate what it costs to live in Halifax based on Numbeo data. People can live in the city for much less, while others may need much more to fund their lifestyle.
Your cost of living
$3,870/month
Monthly net income of $68,000/year
$4,110/month
Share your results
Email or share the results of the Cost of Living Calculator with yourself or others
Jobs paying $68,000+/year
Halifax Water
-
4 Jobs
Halifax, NS
$109,851 - $137,314 / year
Full-time
Yesterday
Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC)
-
2 Jobs
Halifax, NS
$81,081 - $83,483 / year
Full-time
7 days ago
Build Nova Scotia
-
2 Jobs
Halifax, NS
$2,422 - $3,330 / week
Full-time
2 days ago
Most affordable cities in Nova Scotia
Avg. Salary
$52,900
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$3,351
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,870
Affordability Index
86.6%
Avg. Salary
$45,280
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,939
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,767
Affordability Index
78.01%
Avg. Salary
$41,840
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,752
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,545
Affordability Index
77.63%
Avg. Salary
$43,760
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,856
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,757
Affordability Index
76.02%
Avg. Salary
$42,360
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,780
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,788
Affordability Index
73.4%
Avg. Salary
$42,040
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,763
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,819
Affordability Index
72.35%
Avg. Salary
$41,480
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,733
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,799
Affordability Index
71.93%
Avg. Salary
$40,640
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,687
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,831
Affordability Index
70.14%
Avg. Salary
$38,000
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,544
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,745
Affordability Index
67.93%
Avg. Salary
$34,960
Avg. Monthly Net pay
$2,379
Avg. Cost of Living
$3,874
Affordability Index
61.42%
The Affordability Index is based on a single, non-homeowner, who owns a car.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Avg. Monthly Net pay | Avg. Cost of Living | Affordability Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
01
1
|
Halifax, Nova Scotia | $52,900 | $3,351 | $3,870 |
08660
86.6%
|
|
02
2
|
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia | $45,280 | $2,939 | $3,767 |
07800
78.01%
|
|
03
3
|
Truro, Nova Scotia | $41,840 | $2,752 | $3,545 |
07763
77.63%
|
|
04
4
|
Wolfville, Nova Scotia | $43,760 | $2,856 | $3,757 |
07602
76.02%
|
|
05
5
|
Antigonish, Nova Scotia | $42,360 | $2,780 | $3,788 |
07339
73.4%
|
|
06
6
|
Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia | $42,040 | $2,763 | $3,819 |
07234
72.35%
|
|
07
7
|
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia | $41,480 | $2,733 | $3,799 |
07192
71.93%
|
|
08
8
|
Amherst, Nova Scotia | $40,640 | $2,687 | $3,831 |
07014
70.14%
|
|
09
9
|
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia | $38,000 | $2,544 | $3,745 |
06793
67.93%
|
|
10
10
|
Digby, Nova Scotia | $34,960 | $2,379 | $3,874 |
06141
61.42%
|
The Affordability Index is based on a single, non-homeowner, who owns a car.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.