Ontario vs New Brunswick Tax Comparison
On an $80,000 salary in 2026, Ontario gives you $2,304 more per year in take-home pay. Here's the full breakdown.
Take-Home Pay Comparison (2026)
| Salary | Ontario | New Brunswick | Difference | Better In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,243.00 | $44,759.25 | $1,484 | Ontario |
| $80,000 | $58,933.23 | $56,629.48 | $2,304 | Ontario |
| $100,000 | $72,709.92 | $69,529.48 | $3,180 | Ontario |
Assumes employed, no RRSP contributions, no student loan. Difference = Ontario take-home minus New Brunswick.
Full Breakdown — $80,000 Salary (2026)
| Ontario | New Brunswick | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $80,000.00 | $80,000.00 | — |
| Federal Tax | $10,292.73 | $10,292.73 | — |
| Provincial Tax & Levies | $5,204.52 | $7,508.27 | -$2,303.75 |
| CPP | $4,446.45 | $4,446.45 | — |
| EI | $1,123.07 | $1,123.07 | — |
| Total Deductions | $21,066.77 | $23,370.52 | -$2,303.75 |
| Take-Home Pay | $58,933.23 | $56,629.48 | +$2,303.75 |
| Effective Rate | 26.0% | 29.0% | -3.0pp |
| Monthly Take-Home | $4,911.10 | $4,719.12 | +$191.98 |
Difference column shows Ontario minus New Brunswick. Green = Ontario is better.
Provincial Tax Brackets (2026)
Ontario (top rate 13.16%)
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $53,891 | 5.1% |
| $53,891 – $107,785 | 9.2% |
| $107,785 – $150,000 | 11.2% |
| $150,000 – $220,000 | 12.2% |
| $220,000 – No limit | 13.2% |
BPA: $12,989
New Brunswick (top rate 19.5%)
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $52,333 | 9.4% |
| $52,333 – $104,666 | 14.0% |
| $104,666 – $193,861 | 16.0% |
| $193,861 – No limit | 19.5% |
BPA: $13,664
Why the Difference?
Ontario has 5 provincial tax brackets with a top rate of 13.2%, while New Brunswick has 4 brackets with a top rate of 19.5%. Federal tax and CPP are identical in both provinces. The difference comes entirely from provincial income tax rates and credits.
Your tax province is determined by where you are resident on December 31 of the tax year — not where your employer is based. If you move mid-year, your new province’s rates apply to your entire year’s income.
Ontario vs New Brunswick: Canada's biggest market against one of its most affordable
New Brunswick's pitch is affordability and momentum: housing among the most affordable in Canada, a bilingual workforce, and job markets in Moncton and Fredericton that have been growing steadily. Ontario answers with scale — far deeper labour markets and far higher housing costs — so the trade for most movers is a bigger pool of opportunities against a much cheaper daily life.
Tax structure cuts in both directions. At the checkout, Ontario actually charges the lower HST, with New Brunswick's rate running noticeably higher, so everyday spending is taxed more heavily in the east. On income and property the picture shifts: Ontario adds a provincial surtax once provincial tax passes a threshold, and levies a land transfer tax that Toronto buyers pay twice over thanks to the city's municipal version, while New Brunswick's property costs stay modest by national standards. Where all of that nets out for your own salary is the job of the take-home tables above.
Beyond Income Tax: Ontario vs New Brunswick
| Ontario | New Brunswick | |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 15% HST |
| Land transfer tax on a $500,000 home | $6,475 (Land Transfer Tax) | $5,000 (Real Property Transfer Tax) |
| Probate fees on a $500,000 estate | $6,750 | $2,500 |
GST+PST provinces tax a narrower base than HST provinces — not all goods and services attract PST. Non-first-time buyer, province-level tax only. Toronto adds a separate municipal land transfer tax. Figures derive from the same 2026 config that powers our calculators.
Who Comes Out Ahead?
Bilingual professionals considering Moncton or Fredericton
New Brunswick's growing job market and low housing costs are the real draw, but note that its HST runs higher than Ontario's — weigh everyday spending against the take-home comparison above.
Homebuyers comparing purchase costs
Property in New Brunswick stays affordable by national standards and carries nothing like Toronto's stacked closing costs, where the provincial land transfer tax and the city's municipal version apply together.
Households relocating for affordability
New Brunswick housing sits among the most affordable in the country, which typically outweighs the income tax gap — confirm how it looks at your own salary higher up the page.
Bottom Line
Ontario keeps the lower HST while New Brunswick keeps the lower cost of living — the take-home tables above show how the income tax side splits at your salary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ontario or New Brunswick better for taxes?
At an $80,000 salary in 2026, Ontario gives you $2,304 more in annual take-home pay. Ontario has a top provincial rate of 13.16% while New Brunswick's is 19.5%. The exact savings depend on your income level.
How much more tax do you pay in New Brunswick vs Ontario?
On an $80,000 salary in 2026, New Brunswick residents pay approximately $2,304 more in total deductions (income tax + CPP + EI) per year compared to Ontario. This difference is primarily driven by provincial income tax rates.
Is CPP the same in every province?
Yes. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a federal program with uniform contribution rates across all provinces, including Quebec which uses the equivalent Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) at the same rate. CPP/QPP does not contribute to interprovincial tax differences.
What determines my tax province — where I live or where I work?
Your province of residence on December 31 determines which provincial tax rates apply to your entire year's income. It does not matter where your employer is located or where you physically work. If you move provinces during the year, your new province's rates apply to all income earned that calendar year.
How does sales tax compare between Ontario and New Brunswick?
As of 2026, Ontario charges 13% HST while New Brunswick charges 15% HST. Unlike income tax, sales tax applies to what you spend rather than what you earn, so it matters most for large purchases. Provinces that combine GST with a separate PST also tax a narrower base of goods and services than HST provinces.
Related Province Comparisons
Related Tools
- Compare All 13 Provinces — Interactive calculator ranking every province by take-home pay.
- Moving Province Calculator — See exactly how much you’d save moving between two provinces.
- Income Tax Calculator — Full income tax breakdown by bracket.
Sources
Last updated July 2026. Reflects 2026 federal and provincial tax rates. Assumes employed, no RRSP, no student loan.