Select Southwest

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  3. Our Region
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  5. Our People
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  7. Our Lifestyle
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  9. Our Economy
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  11. Employment
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  13. Economy
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  15. Cost of Living
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  17. Income and Taxes
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Cost of Living

Housing

To get a better idea of the cost of housing in Southwest Manitoba you can visit the Multiple Listing Service website.  If you are looking to rent property the best ways to look for accommodation is a local newspaper or to speak staff at the local municipal office. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing website has information about buying a home in Manitoba.

Taxes

Your personal tax rate will depend on your income.  For more information about taxes click here.

Utilities

  • Utilities may be paid separately.  Electricity, water, telephone, television etc. are all paid to different outlets.
  • The cost for heating or cooling your home will depend on different factors including how cold it is outside, the way your house is constructed / insulated, and your heating or cooling source. Homes in Manitoba are heated primarily with either electricity or natural gas.
  • Manitoba has North America's most affordable electricity rates.
  • Electricity in Manitoba is called "hydro". This service is provided by Manitoba Hydro. A request should be made to Manitoba Hydro to allow service to your home.  You will be asked for some personal information before hook up will begin. This will include your mailing address, property address, telephone number, employer and date the service is required.  You also may be asked to read the electric meter when your service begins.
  • Water is connected by your local municipal office.  You need to make a request to the municipal office for the water to be connected.  There may be a connection fee.  A water bill will be mailed to you from the municipal office.  Within town limits garbage pick-up maybe billed along with the water bill.  There will be a minimum payment for water use.  If you go over the minimum you will be charged for extra usage.  To find out the rates for your community visit the local community website or contact the municipal office.
  • If you choose to live in a rural area such as on a farm or acreage, you may need to haul your water or have a well. This is something you should ask about when purchasing or renting a home that is outside of town limits.
  • If you are renting housing some of your utility costs may be included in the rent payment. Make sure to ask if these costs are included.
  • Did you know that the electric standardization may be different here than that of your home country? Most of the western hemisphere uses electrical systems operating at 110-120 volts. Almost every other country uses 220-240 volts as a standard. There are three items you may need to switch between the different power systems: adapters, converters and transformers. You will be able to purchase these items but you may want to look into purchasing new electronic devices if yours are not compatible.  Some examples include hair dryers, electric shavers, cordless phones, or anything that plugs into an electrical outlet.
  • There are also items that may not be compatible at all. These may include things such as televisions and videos / DVDs.

Transport

  • A variety of transportation is available within the province of Manitoba. You will find that there are more options for transportation in the cities.  This will include buses, taxi, handi-transit, and personal vehicles. Handi-transit is normally used to transport the physically disabled or the elderly.  In order to travel long distances in the rural areas of Manitoba you will need to have your own vehicle, use the handi-transit or if available there may be highway bus service.  In most rural communities everything in town is within walking distance.  A passenger train is also another way of traveling long distance, but depending where you live you may have to travel by another mode of transportation to get to the closest boarding station.
  • Download this handy guide to find out more about the different options when buying a vehicle, and other transportation such as taxi and passenger bus.

Health Care

Manitoba has a health care program that is available to all residents, and landed immigrants.  In order to receive service from hospital, clinic or doctor you will need a Manitoba Health Card. Not all professional medical services are free of charge.  Eye Doctors, Dentists, Chiropractors and other service are not covered under the Manitoba Health plan.  There are personal benefits plans available to cover some of these costs.  Your employer may also have a benefit plan that you qualify for.  Many of these plans will be available to your spouse and dependants as well.

Education

  • Manitoba is home to a wide range of first-rate post-secondary educational facilities. The universities and colleges that are available offer a wide range of programs and a veriety of ways students can participate in these programs.
  • In 2008 - 2009 the average tuition fee paid in Manitoba was $3,276 for an undergraduate. This is one of the lowest tuition fees across the country.
  • Visit the Schools portion of this website for more education information.

Interest Rates

Once you have settled and are ready to borrow money for a mortgage, further your education or invest in a business you can speak with your financial institution or mortgage broker for the most up-to-date interest rates. You can all so view the latest interest rates on the Bank of Canada Daily Digest.


Rivers, Manitoba Deloraine, Manitoba Virden, Manitoba Melita, Manitoba Souris, Manitoba Boissevain, Manitoba RM of Pipestone, Manitoba RM of Whitewater