Nova Scotia offers a generally lower cost of living than Canada’s major urban centres, with Halifax providing growing economic opportunities, although incomes are below the national average.
Income data on this page is from Statistics Canada’s Canadian Income Survey (CIS). Both the individual income figures and the household/family after-tax income figures are from the April 29, 2026 release (2024 reference year), the most recent available.
Average and median income in Nova Scotia
| Metric | Amount | vs. Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Average Individual Income (2024) | $52,900 | -$6,500 |
| Median Individual Income (2024) | $43,200 | -$1,200 |
| Median After-Tax Income, combined families & individuals (2024) | $64,200 | -$11,300 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Canadian Income Survey, April 29, 2026 release (2024 reference year): Table 11-10-0238-01 (individual total income, all persons aged 15 and over, including those with zero income) and Table 11-10-0190-01 (median after-tax income).
In 2024, Nova Scotia’s average individual income was 10.9% below the national average, its median individual income 2.7% below the national median, and its median after-tax income 15.0% below the national figure. Population growth and economic development in Halifax are factors to watch. Use our salary calculator to see your Nova Scotia after-tax take-home pay.
Household income in Halifax
See our dedicated Halifax income guide for current local estimates alongside home price data — Statistics Canada does not publish after-tax household income at the city level with the same precision or regularity as provincial data.
Key industries driving Nova Scotia income
- Government and defence — Federal and provincial government, CFB Halifax (Canada’s largest military base on the east coast), Irving Shipbuilding’s naval shipbuilding program
- Healthcare and education — Major hospitals and Dalhousie University are significant employers
- Technology — Halifax’s tech sector has grown, with companies in fintech, cybersecurity, and ocean technology
- Ocean economy — Fishing, aquaculture, and marine services are traditional strength sectors
- Tourism — A growing sector leveraging Nova Scotia’s cultural heritage and natural beauty
Nova Scotia’s tax environment
- HST of 14%: cut from 15% on April 1, 2025, against 5% GST-only in Alberta, 13% HST in Ontario, and 15% in New Brunswick, 15% in Newfoundland and Labrador and 15% in PEI
- Provincial income tax rates: from 8.79% to 21% in 2026
At an $80,000 salary in 2026, provincial income tax is $8,749 in Nova Scotia, against $4,490 in Alberta and $4,031 in British Columbia. Calculate your exact take-home with our income tax calculator.
How Nova Scotia compares to other provinces
| Province | Avg Individual Income (2024) | Median Individual Income (2024) | Median After-Tax Income, combined (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $60,800 | $43,300 | $79,500 |
| Quebec | $57,200 | $46,100 | $68,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $52,900 | $43,200 | $64,200 |
| New Brunswick | $50,900 | $42,000 | $65,100 |
| Canada | $59,400 | $44,400 | $75,500 |
Use our income percentile calculator to see how your income ranks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in Nova Scotia? Nova Scotia’s average individual income (all sources, 2024) is $52,900, against $59,400 nationally. Halifax’s tech sector, federal government presence and university employment shape local incomes: tax-filer data put Halifax’s median individual income at $47,320 in 2023, against $41,640 across Nova Scotia.
Is Nova Scotia affordable on an average income? Halifax housing costs have risen significantly in recent years, driven by inter-provincial migration and remote work relocation. Outside Halifax, employment opportunities are more limited. Nova Scotia’s 14% HST applies to most purchases, against the 5% GST alone in Alberta.
What industries pay the most in Nova Scotia? Defence and aerospace (Dartmouth/Halifax), ocean technology, healthcare and biomedical research, financial services, and the federal government (military and civilian) are among the province’s best-paid fields.
Related tools and resources
- Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks in Canada
- Salary Calculator — Calculate your Nova Scotia after-tax pay
- Income Tax Calculator — Estimate your Nova Scotia income tax
- Nova Scotia Mortgage Rates — Find the best rates
- Nova Scotia Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
- Halifax Housing Market — Halifax-specific trends
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 5, 2026 and September 24, 2026. How we check facts.
- Canada Revenue Agency: Current year
- CREA: Nsar
- nsrealtors.ca: Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® | NSAR
- Revenu Québec: Income tax rates
- roblough.c21.ca: Halifax-Dartmouth Real Estate Market Stats August 2026
- Statistics Canada: Data table
- Statistics Canada: Distribution of market, total and after-tax income of individuals, Canada, provinces…
- Statistics Canada: Data table
- Statistics Canada: Data table
- TRREB: TRREB
- TRREB: Market Watch – TRREB
- TRREB: PDF document