The Cheapest Places to Live in BC 2026

When looking at the total cost of living, Salmon Arm is the cheapest place to live in BC. If you're looking at the average cost to buy a home, Mackenzie is the cheapest option in the province. Affordability plays a huge role in deciding where the best place for you to live is.

Most of the cheapest places to live in BC are fairly remote, like Burns Lake and Mackenzie. The most expensive cities are often along the coast or on Vancouver Island, and their population density reflects the amenities, culture, and job opportunities available there.

This article presents our research on the most affordable cities in BC, broken down by region. It covers population, median home prices, proximity to larger communities, and more.

What makes a city affordable?

Affordable housing is the number one concern for modern Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, Canucks spent an average of $21,106 on shelter in 2021 (the most recent data available) – which was a whopping 31.4% of their total living expenses.

In our search for the cheapest places to live in BC, we considered:

• The median price for a single-family home
• The average cost of rental housing
• The overall cost of living

After comparing 350+ data points for 6 towns and 27 metropolitan areas (which encompass over 135 towns and cities), the results were definitive:

The places on this list are organized by BC's 8 economic regions, the majority of which are rural and offer below-average housing prices and cost of living:

• Nechako
• Northeast
• North Coast
• Fraser-Fort George
• Kootenay
• Thompson-Okanagan

• Vancouver Island and Coast
• Lower Mainland-Southwest

While rural life is often affordable, it isn't always feasible. Where possible, we note the distance between each community and the next-largest population center – and we recommend factoring the cost of car ownership into all your budget calculations.

The cheapest places to live in BC

1. Burns Lake (Nechako)

Population: 1,659

Median listed house price: $351,170

Average rent: $850

Cost of living: 1% below the national average, 8% below the provincial average

Distance to Smithers: 143 km

Occupying the northwestern corner and a strip of the interior of BC, Nechako's 40,000 residents – 30% of whom are First Nations – are spread across nearly 73,000 square kilometres of wilderness. The regional economy is built on forestry and mining, supported by jobs in healthcare, education, and retail.

The village of Burns Lake supplies about 7,000 people in the surrounding area with a regional hospital, sports arena, community centre, and several elementary and secondary schools.

For tourists and adventurous residents, the town is a "year-round adventure playground" offering world-class mountain biking, a yearly performing arts festival, and an annual fall fair. Trails, parks, and walking tours keep everyone busy in the summer, while winter presents a chance to get involved in the town's many churches, clubs, and societies.

2. Dawson Creek (Peace River)

Population: 17,878

Median listed house price: $336,548

Average rent: $1,109

Cost of living: 3% above the national average, 5% below the provincial average

Distance to Fort St. John: 75 km

The two largest population centres in the Peace River region are Fort St. John and Dawson Creek. Fort St. John residents enjoy the highest average household income in BC and the fifth-highest in Canada – but it's not as cheap as Dawson Creek.

Move to Dawson Creek, and you'll find employment opportunities in healthcare, sales, mining, quarrying, or operating the equipment that keeps everything going. For recreation, you'll have your pick of swimming programs, volleyball leagues, and multi-use fields and courts, including 30+ parks and green spaces. For entertainment, visit the Dawson Creek Art Gallery, or watch live theatre at one of several performance venues.

While there are several elementary, middle, and secondary schools in Dawson Creek, there are only two convenient options for post-secondary students. Northern Lights College is located right in Dawson Creek, and the University of Northern British Columbia is in Fort St. John.

3. Prince Rupert (Skeena-Queen Charlotte)

Population: 13,442

Median listed house price: $413,076

Average rent: $1,134

Cost of living: 1% below the national average, 9% below the provincial average

As the Museum of Northern BC's artifacts attest, Prince Rupert has always been a trading hotspot. The city boasts the deepest harbour in North America – the main channel is 35 metres deep, while the terminal berth is between 17 and 18 metres deep. It connects the North Coast region to the rest of the world by plane, train, car, and boat.

From Udderfest, a live theatre festival held at the Tom Rooney Playhouse, to Communities in Bloom, a local beautification group, Prince Rupert has a lively recreation and entertainment scene. Residents and tourists keep on the move with walking trails, boating tours, a gymnastics facility, and more.

4. Mackenzie (Fraser-Fort George)

Population: 3,700

Median listed house price: $224,856

Average rent: $1,060

Cost of living: 1% above the national average, 8% below the provincial average

Distance to Prince George: 183 km

The Cariboo region may be landlocked and flanked by mountains, but there are lakes and rivers aplenty to explore by kayak and canoe. Resource-based industries such as mining and forestry dominate the economy, employing some 170,000 residents, the majority of whom live in Prince George.

Mackenzie may be small, with a population just under 4,000, but it has plenty to offer. There are schools, churches, a library, a museum, a hospital, and a recreation centre – all within a half-hour walk from the village centre. The College of New Caledonia has a campus in Mackenzie, too.

Mackenzie's winters average −11.4°C, making it prime territory for skiing and snowmobiling, while warm summers around 14.9°C open up some stunning fishing and paddling spots. Residents and tourists alike will have no trouble finding and enjoying outdoor adventures in this area.

5. Cranbrook (East Kootenay)

Population: 27,040

Median listed house price: $551,119

Average rent: $1,071

Cost of living: 1% above the national average, 7% below the provincial average

Inhabiting the southeast corner between Alberta, the Rocky Mountains, and the United States, the Kootenay region sees plenty of traffic. The region's 177,000 residents work in coal production, mining, and forestry, and join tourists in hiking, mountain biking, skiing, white water rafting, and more.

With a hospital, college, international airport, and vibrant downtown – not to mention 28 parks, 3 arenas, 2 outdoor rinks, and a sports dome – it makes sense that Cranbrook is enjoying significant growth. The city approved $300 million in building permits in just 4 years, between 2018 and 2022.

Not only does it boast stunning natural scenery, but it's also the sunniest city in the province. Over 2.1 million tourists visited Cranbrook in 2022.

6. Salmon Arm (Columbia-Shuswap)

Population: 19,705

Median listed house price: $677,030

Average rent: $1,099

Cost of living: 2% below national average, 10% below the provincial average

Distance to Kelowna: 110 km

Because it enjoys more sun than the coast, the rolling hills in the Thompson-Okanagan region are flush with crops and vineyards. Logging and manufacturing also play a large role in the economy, but with Alberta to the east and Washington to the south, there are plenty of trades and industries to choose from.

According to our data, Salmon Arm is an inexpensive and safe place to call home. Although its median listed house price was higher than Penticton at the time of writing, it has a lower overall cost of living – plus it's not listed as one of the most dangerous cities in the country, unlike Kelowna and Kamloops, which are relatively close by.

Salmon Arm has 20,000 residents, 1,200 businesses, 25 schools, and is home to Okanagan College. If you're looking to start a business, the Commercial Revitalization Tax Exemption Program and a multitude of local organizations are eager to help.

7. Port Alberni (Alberni-Clayoquot on Vancouver Island)

Population: 25,786

Median listed house price: $566,854

Average rent: $1,025

Cost of living: 3% above the national average, 5% below the provincial average

Distance to Nanaimo: 85 km

It's hard for a single image to capture the beauty of Vancouver Island and the Coastal region. Turn your lens on Victoria – voted "Readers' Choice" in the "Best Small City in the World" issue of Condé Nast – and you'll miss the pod of orcas cruising the raw, rugged coast around Tofino.

Despite its location in the middle of Vancouver Island, you can access the sea from Port Alberni using the 54-kilometre Alberni Inlet. Forget hiking – residents and tourists can indulge in scuba diving, kayaking, kiteboarding, and windsurfing alongside the usual outdoor activities.

While there are certainly plenty of industries focused on natural resources, some of the region's top occupations include those in healthcare, social services, education, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The area of Vancouver Island as a whole has a forecasted average annual employment growth rate of 1.3%.

8. Lillooet (Squamish-Lillooet)

Population: 2,302

Median listed house price: $462,493

Average rent: $1,030

Cost of living: 7% below the national average, 15% below the provincial average

Distance to Whistler: 130 km

Nicknamed "Hollywood North" for its many roles in film, TV, and special effects production, Vancouver is the star of the Lower Mainland-Southwest region. It's home to the majority of the area's 3.2 million residents and has been named the 10th most liveable city in the world.

When it comes to affordability, however, Vancouver gets a failing grade. With a median house price of $1.05 million, we suggest turning your back and starting the engine. To find truly inexpensive living, you've got to go 250 km north to Lillooet, where the median house price is less than half of Vancouver's.

This village offers extraordinary views of the Fraser River as it meets Seton Lake, set against the backdrop of Quatlenemo Peak. An old rail station and newspaper office hint at its origins as a gold rush town, but the economy has certainly progressed. Modern Lillooet features a hospital, an airport, several public schools, a satellite campus for Thompson Rivers University and much more.

How we got our data

From most to least used, our main sources for this list were:

• Statistics Canada
• Houseful and The Canadian Real Estate Association
• The Economic Research Institute (ERI)
• Trade and Invest British Columbia
• WelcomeBC
• WorkBC

After putting all the data in a spreadsheet, we ranked the places in each region from cheapest to most expensive. Places with a high median house price and a low cost of living ranked higher than places with a low median house price and a high cost of living.

FAQ

What are the cheapest places to live in BC?

Burns Lake, Dawson Creek, Prince Rupert, and Mackenzie are a few of the cheapest places to live in BC. Generally, as is common across most of Canada, more remote locations have a more affordable cost of living than metro areas like Vancouver and Victoria.

Where are affordable homes in BC?

Fraser-Fort George and Peace River have the most affordable home prices in BC. At the time of writing, the median house price in Fraser-Fort George is $224,856, and Peace River's is $336,548. Alternatively, the median home price in Vancouver is $1.05 million.

Where is the best small town to live in BC?

The best small town really depends on what you're looking for from a city – this could mean affordable housing, access to amenities, natural beauty, or simply a low population. That said, Burns Lake and Lillooet are 2 of the smallest towns we looked at and are also among the cheapest places to live in BC.

What is the nicest and cheapest place to live in Canada?

Nicest" is subjective, but for the best combination of affordability and scenery, Newfoundland and Labrador makes a strong case. The province has some of Canada's lowest housing and rental costs, and St. John's delivers stunning ocean views and rugged coastal landscapes that rival anywhere in the country — without the BC or Ontario price tag.

Are BC house prices dropping?

Although BC housing prices are among the highest in the country, real estate in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver has fallen significantly over the past year. CBC news reports that housing prices in Metro Vancouver are the lowest they've been in 25 years.