Regina is a great place to live when it comes to quality of life. It’s home to over 220,000 residents, according to the last census, and it’s rapidly growing. For good reason, too!
Residents and visitors alike have plenty of fun things to do here. The city features tons of parks, major attractions, and has many places to enjoy sports, arts, and culture. Add these to the high walk and bike score rating, and you’ve got yourself an exceptional place to live!
But what about the cost of living? Is life in Regina affordable?
In today’s article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the cost of living in Regina. But before determining regular price breakdowns, it’s good to know what factors affect cost of living that are particular to the city itself.
Regina’s Climate
The city of Regina is located in the southern central area of Saskatchewan and is Canada’s sunniest city.
Regina experiences four seasons and has warm springs, pleasant falls, and cold, dry winters. Be sure to set aside some funds for winter clothing if you’re coming from a warmer climate!
Regina’s School System
There are three school divisions in the City of Regina. That is:
- Regina Board of Education. This is tasked with administering all public elementary and high schools
- Regina Catholic School Board. This is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and runs Catholic-affiliated elementary and high schools
- Conseil des Ecoles Fransaskoises. This is a French-only school division
The city also has 3 centres for post-secondary education. These are the University of Regina, the Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the First Nations University of Canada. Education costs here are reasonable, meaning you won’t have to worry as much about budgeting for high-quality education!
The Economy
Directly tied to its cost of living, Regina’s economy is resource-based and is fueled by agriculture, and oil and gas production.
Telecommunications, tourism, metal fabrication, manufacturing, mining supply chain, and finance and insurance are other players contributing to the city’s economy. If you work in one of these industries, you’re sure to find a good job in the city center!
Young people often choose to work in a restaurant or chain store.
Over the past few years, Regina has also been named on several occasions as one of the most affordable places to do business in North America. As a result, if you’re considering moving to Regina to launch a business here, then you’ve come to the right place! You can start a business without costs being as heavy as some other major Canadian cities.
The Transport System
Regina is conveniently located along the Trans-Canada Highway. This is a series of provincial highways which join all ten provinces of Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition, both the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific Railway all run through the City. The city is also home to the Regina International Airport. Owned by Transport Canada and operated by the Regina Airport Authority, the airport serves approximately 1.2 million passengers a year.
For passengers unable to use the city’s regular transit system, there is the Regina Paratransit.
Ultimately, unlike in other cities, residents in Regina don’t have to rely on a car to get around. There are many transport options available, meaning you can limit your budget to public transit if you’d rather avoid car expenses. This lowers the cost of living overall, as it’s a highly accessible city when it comes to travel!
Cost of Living in Regina, SK
Salaries
The median after-tax monthly salary is $2960, which is enough to cover cost of living expenses for 2 months in Regina. The city is ranked in the top 4% of best places to live in the world, and its cost of living plays a significant role in that!
Restaurants
When going out for dinner, expect to pay about $60 for two people. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant for one person costs around $15, and half a litre of beer at a local bar costs roughly $6.
Leisure
Cost of living expenses take into account leisure activities. In Regina, the monthly fee for a gym membership is around $35.24, and a movie ticket $10.22 costs on average.
Rental Properties
This is probably the biggest cost of living expense. When it comes to renting, the costs will depend on how close you are to the Regina city center.
Expect to spend about $829 per month for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city center. A large studio should cost about $100 less. If you want a 1 bedroom apartment outside the city center, it'll cost about $726 monthly. An apartment with three bedrooms in the city center costs $1473 per month, on average.
Regina tends to be a bit cheaper than other cities in terms of rent.
Transport
If you choose to use a taxi to get your way around town, expect to pay $15 for an 8-kilometer ride.
Groceries
As for groceries, a litre of milk, half a kilogram of bread, and a kilogram of rice costs $1.53, $2.16, and $2.66, respectively. For the cost of fruit, expect to pay $2.98, $1.32, and $2.70 for a kilogram each of apples, bananas, and oranges.
As you can see from the cost of these basic elements, when considering the median after-tax salary with the cost of living, Regina is very much an affordable city. You can expect a high quality of life without a strain on your finances!
Custom Home Building & Remodelling Services
Considering buying a home in Regina that needs some work, or even building a custom home? Established in 2015, Leenan Homes is composed of construction professionals, real estate industry experts, as well as professional architects and designers. Combined, we have over 30 years of local real estate experience to help with any of your housing needs!
When you hire us to be your partner, we’ll work hard to provide you with superior client services while ensuring you’re involved in the process from start to finish.
Our goal is to develop our clients’ ideas into quality, functional homes that can withstand the test of time. Our craftsmanship is superior and our attention to detail is unmatched. In the end, you can expect nothing short of perfection, whether it’s a custom luxury home or a remodeling project!
Bottom Line: Cost of Living in Regina
So, given the affordable quality of life here in Regina, are you thinking of making the move? If you are, and you’re looking for a home building and remodeling company, then look no further than Leenan Homes!
No matter your vision, we’ll get it done. From the planning and design phase to the coordination and oversight stage, you won’t have to worry about a thing. Get in touch with us today by dialing 306-205-6252!