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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A British Columbia VS COUNTRY B New Brunswick

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for British Columbia and New Brunswick in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated June 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
Calculate your take-home → See all comparisons →
OVERVIEW
British Columbia has a lower effective provincial income tax burden than New Brunswick at most income levels, despite BC's higher top rate (20.5% vs NB's 19.5%). New Brunswick's bottom bracket starts at a steep 9.4% from the first dollar, while BC begins at just 5.06%. At $100,000 CAD income, a BC resident pays approximately $3,200 less in combined federal and provincial tax than a New Brunswick resident. NB is one of Canada's Atlantic provinces with a higher combined sales tax (HST 15%) versus BC's lower PST (7%), making the total tax gap even larger for most consumers.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

🏔️
COUNTRY A
British Columbia
TAX RATE
5.06-20.5%
Progressive Income Tax
7 progressive brackets from 5.06% to 20.5%
🌊
COUNTRY B
New Brunswick
TAX RATE
9.4-19.5%
Atlantic Province Tax
4 progressive brackets from 9.4% to 19.5%
TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from New Brunswick → British Columbia at $100,000 CAD
$3,200
BC residents pay approximately $3,200 less in combined tax at this income. All figures in CAD. Federal tax (15–33%) applies equally to both provinces.
Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.
GROSS INCOME
🏔️ BC TAX
🌊 NB TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$50,000
$14,700
$17,100
-$2,400
-$24,000
$100,000
$30,200
$33,400
-$3,200
-$32,000
$150,000
$47,000
$52,500
-$5,500
-$55,000
$200,000
$64,500
$72,000
-$7,500
-$75,000
💡

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🏔️

British Columbia Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Lower effective income tax: bottom rate 5.06% vs NB's 9.4% from the first dollar
  • Pacific coast lifestyle — mountains, ocean, mild winters
  • Larger job market: Metro Vancouver 2.6M vs Moncton/Fredericton combined ~300K
  • Lower HST/combined sales tax: BC PST 7% vs NB HST 15%
  • Strong tech and film sector in Vancouver
− CONS
  • Extremely high housing costs in Metro Vancouver — median home exceeds $1.1M
  • Higher cost of living overall compared to New Brunswick
  • PST 7% still applies to most goods and some services
  • Carbon tax adds to fuel and utility costs
  • Competitive housing rental market in urban centres
🌊

New Brunswick Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Most affordable housing in Canada: Moncton/Fredericton median homes $300,000–$350,000
  • Low cost of living — groceries, transport, and utilities significantly cheaper than BC
  • French-English bilingual province — career advantages in federal public service
  • Growing tech sector in Moncton and Fredericton
  • Proximity to Nova Scotia, PEI, and Quebec
− CONS
  • Higher income tax: bottom bracket 9.4% vs BC's 5.06% — $3,200 more at $100K income
  • HST 15% on goods and services — 8 percentage points higher than BC's PST
  • Smaller economy with fewer high-paying private sector jobs
  • Harsh winters with significant snowfall in most regions
  • Population decline in many rural areas; limited amenities outside major cities
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much more tax does New Brunswick charge than British Columbia?

At $100,000 CAD income in 2026, a New Brunswick resident pays approximately $33,400 in combined federal and provincial income tax, versus $30,200 for a BC resident — NB pays roughly $3,200 more per year. The gap widens at higher incomes: at $150,000, BC residents save approximately $5,500 per year. Note that federal tax (15–33%) applies identically to both provinces; the difference is entirely in the provincial portion.

Why does New Brunswick have higher income tax than BC despite a lower top rate?

New Brunswick's bottom bracket starts at 9.4% from the very first dollar of income — nearly double BC's starting rate of 5.06%. This means NB residents face a heavier tax burden at low and middle incomes even though NB's nominal top rate (19.5%) is marginally lower than BC's (20.5%). The shape of the brackets, not just the top rate, determines your actual tax bill.

What is New Brunswick's HST rate and how does it compare to BC?

New Brunswick charges HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) of 15%, which combines 5% federal GST and 10% provincial component. British Columbia uses a separate PST of 7% alongside the 5% federal GST — an effective rate of 12% on most goods, but many services are PST-exempt in BC. For everyday purchases, NB residents typically pay 3–8 percentage points more in sales tax than BC residents, significantly adding to NB's higher total tax burden.

Is it worth moving from New Brunswick to British Columbia for tax reasons?

The income tax and sales tax savings of moving to BC are real — roughly $3,200–$7,500/year at incomes of $100K–$200K. However, housing in Metro Vancouver is dramatically more expensive than New Brunswick: the median NB home costs around $320,000 versus $1.1M+ in Metro Vancouver. For most people, the housing cost difference far exceeds the annual tax savings. Moving to a smaller BC city like Kelowna or Prince George narrows the housing gap considerably while still enjoying BC's lower tax rates.

Does New Brunswick offer any tax advantages over British Columbia?

New Brunswick's main advantage over BC is its dramatically lower cost of living, particularly housing. At $320,000 for a median home versus $1.1M+ in Metro Vancouver, NB residents can build wealth through home equity despite paying higher income tax. NB also offers the career advantages of French-English bilingualism in a federal government context. For retirees on fixed incomes, NB's low housing and living costs can outweigh the higher income tax burden.
From the brief
CY0%dividends, 60-day rule
PT20%flat rate, tech workers
GB39%non-dom regime gone
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