Top 10 Poorest Cities In Canada (2024)

What are the top poorest cities in Canada?

Being poor is a matter of perspective, therefore a city that appears to be poor monetarily may actually be wealthy in other ways. However, the focus of this article is on Canadian cities that are struggling financially. Regardless of the city, the so-called impoverished can be found anywhere.

They frequently cluster together because that is where their needs can be conveniently satisfied, and the more of them there are, the more impoverished the city is thought to be. Affordable housing, food, and clothing are just a few of the things people can obtain without breaking the bank.

Those who are just starting their careers, whether they are immigrants or long-term residents, may decide to stay in these “poorer cities” in order to manage their savings and advance economically.

Although many of these places are considered to be underprivileged, they are home to a fascinating and diverse community of people who are working to better their lives. Following is a list and description of the cities.

Related: Top 10 Richest Provinces in Canada

Poorest Cities In Canada

The top ten poorest cities in Canada are:

Sept-Îles, Quebec

On the northern shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, in the Côte-Nord area of Quebec, sits the City of Sept-Îles. There are roughly 28,500 people living there. Blue-collar workers make up the majority of the population of this rated medium-sized city.

There are many occupations in Sept-Îles in the transportation, financial, and other service industries, as well as other services required for the efficient operation of the city. Most of the iron and aluminum used in the city’s economic operations are typically mined and processed there. Ocean-loving tourists who enjoy taking boat tours are also drawn to the city.

You might want to study French before living there since it is a city where French is spoken.

Timmins, Ontario

In Canada’s Ontario, Timmins is a sleepy town. The mining and lumber industries are the backbone of Timmins’ economy, but Shania Twain, one of this generation’s most successful and wealthy musicians, is the city’s most notable export.

In Timmins, which has a population of close to 42,000, many of the residents are young individuals who are pursuing their ambitions while making as few financial commitments as they can.In this city, the average cost of a home is $212,922.

Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec

If you’re looking to live cheaply and save money, Rouyn-Noranda is the ideal location for you. This impoverished city is situated on the banks of Osisko Lake, close to the Ontario border, in the center of Canada.

This city has approximately 42,000 citizens, and like the majority of Quebec’s cities, more than 95% of them speak French as their native tongue. The production of copper is the main economic driver in the area, which is why the name of the city is “National Copper Capital.” In Rouyn-Noranda, residential buildings cost an average of $240,190.

Becancour, Quebec

Due to its numerous industries, Becancour in Quebec, despite being a poor community, is a relatively significant Canadian city. By way of the Saint Lawrence River, Becancour and Trois-Rivières are separated.

There are approximately 12,500 people residing there, the most of whom travel to Trois-Rivières for employment. Despite the fact that Becancour is a clean city, the location’s numerous industries may make it difficult to live there.

Petroleum products, refractory metals, and industrial parts are manufactured in large quantities in the industrial city of Bencancour. Other industries include the aviation one.

It is common to see wealthy people residing in this underdeveloped city due to petroleum and aerospace engineering being two of the highest paid professions in the world.

The average price of a house in Bécancour is $206,750 yearly.

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Our ranking of the poorest Canadian cities places Sault Ste. Marie, located in Ontario, among the list. For the Algoma District in Ontario, the city serves as the administrative center. With a significant population of over 73,000, it is the third-largest city in Ontario.

Despite the existence of other businesses, steel production dominates the city’s economic activities. A couple of these are tourism and renewable energy. For the people living in the densely crowded city, these industries are among the major employers of labor.

In terms of travel, Marie serves as the departure point for one of the most well-known train journeys in the entirety of Canada: the journey to the Agawa Canyon.

Quesnel, British Columbia

Located in British Columbia, Quesnel is a small town. The average residence costs &209,130, making living expenses fairly modest. Around 12,000 people reside in the city, many of them work in the tourism industry.

The thousands of tourists that stay in Quesnel for the night on their route to the Rocky Mountains or while on other excursions in the North Cariboo region are another matter. Aside from having some of the lowest taxes in Canada, Quesnel is also well renowned for this.

Saint-Georges, Quebec

Another Quebec city where one could live very cheaply while still getting to experience some of the positive aspects of real city living is Saint-Georges. Being the largest city in southern Quebec, the city is home to roughly 31,000 inhabitants.

The city has a diverse economy, and a number of different manufacturing and service companies call it home. However, Manac, a company that makes semi-trailers, is by far the most well-known inhabitant.

$219,124 is the city’s average cost of a home.

Cornwall, Ontario

Cornwall, Canada’s easternmost city, is situated on the province of Ontario. In addition to serving as a natural boundary between Canada and the United States, the Saint Lawrence River runs alongside the city’s shores. The border city with America is how Cornwall is also known.

Nearly 47,000 people call it home, and they work in a variety of industries, including a large number of call centers, the water transportation industry, and other services.In this city, a home costs, on average, $211,715 annually.

Sainte-Marie, Quebec

On the list of Canada’s poorest cities, Sainte-Marie, Quebec, is the least impoverished. About 59 kilometers southeast of Quebec City, on the Chaudière River, is where it is situated.

Around 13000 French-speaking residents live in Sainte-Marie. This is one of Canada’s most beautiful locales, despite being considered to be in poverty. Sainte Marie has a $243,980 median home price.

Rimouski, Quebec

The city of Rimouski, which is in Quebec, is listed as the second-poorest city in Canada. On the Saint Lawrence River’s southern bank, the city, which has a population of roughly 50,000, is situated.

Being a French-speaking city, it’s beneficial for anyone looking to cut costs, especially when they first start working.

In this city, the majority of people work in marine-related industries, including fishing, shipping, and research facilities. Additionally situated here is the well-known St. Lawrence Global Observatory.

As a center for research and engineering, Rimouski is also renowned.

Rimouski has a $227,673 median home price.

Conclusion

This piece has discussed the top ten poorest cities in Canada. Despite being impoverished, some of these cities are popular tourist destinations, therefore this does not diminish their charm.

Hardworking Canadians who want to climb the financial ladder live there. With plenty of career prospects for its citizens, they are also highly pleasant and economical.

To live the inexpensive lifestyle you desire, you can think about traveling to one of these cities.