Cost of Living
Make a home without breaking the bank
You can own a home or rent in Pictou County for less. The average value of dwellings in Pictou County is lower than the provincial average. At the same time, the value of homes has increased since 1996, meaning that buying a home in Pictou County has been a consistently good investment.
See details on a variety of cost of living variables:
- Housing
- Energy Pricing (Gas, Furnace Oil, Natural Gas, Propane, Wood, Petroleum Pricing & Gas Regulation)
- Electricity Rates
- Property Taxes
- Water & Sewer Rates
The average value of dwellings in the area increased 69.4% between 1996 and 2006 to $114,744. Average major monthly payments for homeowners was $643 in 2006, compared with $489 in 1996. Average monthly rent in Pictou County increased from $459/month in 1996 to $546/month in 2006.
In Nova Scotia, The average value of dwellings in the area increased 82.5% between 1996 and 2006 to $158,000. Average major monthly payments for homeowners was $761 in 2006, compared with $562 in 1996. Average monthly rent in Nova Scotia increased from $538/month in 1996 to $671/month in 2006.
For comparison purposes, some miscellaneous housing expenses in Pictou County may include:
- Phone: $25 (unlimited local)
- Cable TV: $18 Basic, $65 Full Tier
- Satellite TV: $54
- Broadcast TV: Free
Visit our Housing page for even more details.
Electric Service Rates, Pictou County, 2005
|
Rate Group |
Base Charge ($/month) |
Energy Charge (cents/kWh) |
Minimum Monthly Charge |
|
Domestic |
$10.83 |
10.13 |
$10.83 |
|
Small General |
$12.65 |
11.21 First 200 kWh/month 9.86 All additional kWh |
$12.65 |
|
Rate Group |
Demand Charge |
Energy Charge Cents/kWh |
Maximum/kWh Charge & Minimum Bill |
|
General |
8.10/month/kW of maximum demand |
8.60 First 200 kWh/month p/kWh of max demand 6.08 All additional kWh |
Max/kWh - billing load factor of 10%; Min- $12.65 |
|
Large General |
9.61/kVA of max demand |
5.71 |
Minimum charge $12.65 |
|
Small Industrial |
5.63/kVA of max demand |
7.33 First 200 kWh/month p/kWh of max demand 5.59 All additional kWh |
Max/kWh is billing load factor of 10%; Minimum- $12.65 |
|
Medium Industrial |
9.05/month/kVA of max demand |
5.21 |
Minimum charge $12.65 |
|
Large Industrial |
8.74/month/kVA of max demand |
5.25 |
Minimum charge $12.65 |
|
Outdoor Recreational Lighting |
Rate available from May through October only on all outdoor recreational lighting |
10.96 |
-- |
Source: Nova Scotia Power Inc, Effective: March 10, 2006
Click here to find the current power rates that apply to you.
Residential Property Taxes, 2008 Rates
Per $100 Assessed
|
Municipality |
Residential ($) |
|
New Glasgow |
1.77 |
|
Pictou |
2.12 |
|
Stellarton |
1.82 |
|
Westville |
2.13 |
|
Trenton |
1.99 |
|
County |
0.79 |
Base Rates for Metered Water Service, 2008
Quarterly Charges in Dollars
|
Meter Size |
New Glasgow |
Stellarton |
Pictou |
Westville |
Trenton |
County |
|
5/8" |
41.52 |
44.96 |
32.73 |
34.40 |
27.29 |
7.50 |
|
3/4" |
61.38 |
67.04 |
47.93 |
50.83 |
40.39 |
11.25 |
|
1" |
101.12 |
111.20 |
78.32 |
83.69 |
66.59 |
18.75 |
|
1-1/2" |
200.46 |
221.60 |
154.29 |
165.85 |
132.08 |
37.50 |
|
2" |
319.66 |
354.09 |
245.46 |
264.44 |
267.00 |
60.00 |
|
3" |
637.54 |
707.39 |
488.59 |
527.34 |
120.00 |
|
|
4" |
995.15 |
1104.83 |
762.10 |
823.10 |
N/A |
187.50 |
|
5" |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
6" |
1988.52 |
2208.86 |
1521.86 |
1644.66 |
N/A |
375.00 |
|
8" |
3577.91 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2358.76 |
600.00 |
|
10" |
3,725.91 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Sewer Rates (2008)
|
Municipality |
$/1000 Gal. |
|
New Glasgow |
3.11 |
|
Westville |
5.32 |
|
County of Pictou |
Varies |
|
Pictou |
No Charge |
|
Stellarton |
No Charge |
|
Trenton |
No Charge |