Monthly Cost Summary
| Expense | Single Person | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|
| Rent (1-bed / 2-bed / 3-bed) | $1,300 | $1,650 | $2,000 |
| Groceries | $375 | $600 | $925 |
| Transportation | $125 | $225 | $375 |
| Utilities | $175 | $210 | $250 |
| Internet + Phone | $125 | $175 | $195 |
| Insurance (tenant/car) | $150 | $275 | $400 |
| Entertainment/dining | $150 | $250 | $275 |
| Childcare | — | — | $1,000 |
| Total | $2,400 | $3,385 | $5,420 |
Housing Costs
Rent
| Unit Type | Average Rent | Range |
|---|
| Bachelor/Studio | $900-$1,100 | $700-$1,300 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,200-$1,400 | $950-$1,600 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,500-$1,800 | $1,200-$2,100 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,800-$2,200 | $1,500-$2,600 |
Rent by Neighbourhood
| Area | 1-Bedroom | Character |
|---|
| Downtown | $1,300-$1,500 | Urban, walkable along river |
| Broadway/Nutana | $1,300-$1,600 | Trendy, shops, cafes |
| Stonebridge | $1,400-$1,700 | Newer suburban |
| Willowgrove | $1,400-$1,700 | New development, family |
| Riversdale | $1,100-$1,300 | Up-and-coming, artsy |
| Sutherland | $1,100-$1,300 | Near U of S, affordable |
| Silverspring | $1,200-$1,400 | Suburban, family |
| Confederation | $1,000-$1,200 | Older, most affordable |
Home Prices
| Property Type | Average Price | Range |
|---|
| Detached house | $375,000-$475,000 | $250,000-$800,000+ |
| Townhouse | $275,000-$350,000 | $200,000-$500,000 |
| Condo | $200,000-$275,000 | $140,000-$400,000 |
Monthly Mortgage Costs
| Home Price | Down Payment (20%) | Mortgage | Monthly Payment (5%) |
|---|
| $300,000 | $60,000 | $240,000 | $1,395 |
| $400,000 | $80,000 | $320,000 | $1,860 |
| $500,000 | $100,000 | $400,000 | $2,325 |
Groceries
| Item | Saskatoon Price |
|---|
| Milk (4L) | $6.50-$7.50 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.50-$4.50 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $4.50-$5.50 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $14-$17 |
| Ground beef (1 kg) | $10-$14 |
| Rice (2 kg) | $5-$7 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4-$5 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | $1.40-$1.60 |
| Monthly Grocery Budget | Amount |
|---|
| Budget-conscious single | $275-$325 |
| Average single | $375-$425 |
| Couple | $550-$650 |
| Family of 4 | $850-$1,000 |
Transportation
| Mode | Monthly Cost |
|---|
| Saskatoon Transit bus pass (adult) | $86 |
| Saskatoon Transit bus pass (student) | $64 |
| Car insurance (SGI, basic) | $100-$150 |
| Gas (avg commuter) | $120-$160 |
| Parking (downtown) | $75-$125 |
Saskatchewan has public auto insurance (SGI), similar to BC and Manitoba, keeping insurance costs lower than Ontario.
Taxes (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
| Tax | Rate |
|---|
| Federal + SK income tax ($60K) | ~$11,800 |
| Federal + SK income tax ($80K) | ~$17,700 |
| Federal + SK income tax ($100K) | ~$23,500 |
| GST (federal, no provincial on most goods) | 6% PST + 5% GST = 11% |
| PST exemptions | No PST on restaurant meals, children’s clothing |
| Property tax rate | ~1.0-1.4% |
| Property tax ($400K home) | ~$4,000-$5,600/year |
Saskatoon vs Regina vs Calgary vs Winnipeg
| Expense | Saskatoon | Regina | Calgary | Winnipeg |
|---|
| 1-bed rent | $1,300 | $1,200 | $1,700 | $1,200 |
| Detached home | $425K | $350K | $650K | $375K |
| Groceries (single/month) | $375 | $375 | $375 | $375 |
| Transit pass | $86 | $83 | $112 | $107 |
| Car insurance (annual) | $1,400 | $1,400 | $1,600 | $1,500 |
| Income tax ($80K) | $17,700 | $17,700 | $15,700 | $17,400 |
| Sales tax | 11% | 11% | 5% | 12% |
Income Needed to Live Comfortably
| Household | Renting | Owning |
|---|
| Single person | $35,000-$45,000 | $55,000-$70,000 |
| Couple (no kids) | $55,000-$65,000 | $80,000-$95,000 |
| Family of 4 | $75,000-$95,000 | $100,000-$130,000 |
Economy and Jobs
| Sector | Details |
|---|
| Mining/resources | Potash, uranium capital of the world |
| Agriculture/ag-tech | Major ag innovation hub |
| Technology | Growing tech sector (Innovation Place) |
| Healthcare | Royal University Hospital, St. Paul’s |
| Education | University of Saskatchewan |
| Government | City + provincial services |
| Trades/construction | Strong demand |
| Employment Stat | Saskatoon |
|---|
| Unemployment rate | ~5-6% |
| Median household income | ~$78,000-$85,000 |
| Key industries | Resources, agriculture, healthcare, tech |
| Growth rate | Among fastest-growing cities in SK |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Very affordable housing | Very cold winters (-30°C+) |
| Low unemployment | Far from other major cities |
| Growing tech/ag-tech | Limited public transit |
| South Saskatchewan River valley | Short days in winter |
| Strong community feel | Fewer amenities than larger cities |
| Low car insurance | Some neighbourhoods in decline |
| Good schools, U of S | Mosquitoes in summer |
| No PST on many items | Flat terrain (not for everyone) |