Nova Scotia, Canada
Your guide to living in Halifax: demographics, cost of living, quality of life, and education.
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NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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439,819
Nova Scotia
5
Major industries
White
76.4%
Black
4.7%
South Asian
3.5%
Chinese
2.1%
Halifax has one of Canada's oldest Black communities (dating to the 18th century Loyalist migration) alongside rapidly growing South Asian, African, and Middle Eastern populations driven by international student arrivals and the Atlantic Immigration Program.
Downtown rent
$1,900/mo
Suburban rent
$1,500/mo
Groceries
$380/mo
Recommended monthly budget
$3,100/mo
Halifax's housing costs have risen sharply but remain below Toronto and Vancouver. Broader cost of living is moderate, with Atlantic Canada generally offering strong value.
Safety rating
Halifax is served by the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. Dalhousie University is one of Canada's top research universities, particularly strong in medicine and ocean sciences. Saint Mary's University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and NSCAD University are also in Halifax.
Helpful reads about living in Halifax.
Express Entry from Halifax: What You Need to Know
A guide to applying through Express Entry while living in Halifax, including CRS tips and provincial nomination options.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods in Halifax for Newcomers
Where to live when you first arrive in Halifax — affordability, transit, schools, and immigrant communities.
Read articleWe don't have a verified lawyer listed for Halifax yet.
NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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Notable landmarks
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Atlantic Canada. It is the primary naval base of Canada's east coast (CFB Halifax), a major shipping port, and a fast-growing immigration destination under the Atlantic Immigration Program. Halifax's newcomer population has grown sharply in recent years.
Transit rating
Winter average temperature
-4°C
Summer average temperature
23°C
Halifax has a maritime climate — milder winters than inland Canada but damper. The waterfront, ocean access, and strong arts and music scene make it a distinctive option. Halifax Transit operates bus and ferry service.
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