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Cape Breton, NS
Nova Scotia · Moncton Metro
Cape Breton is a mid-size city in Nova Scotia with a population of 93,694. Residents earn $62,400 per year, which is 17% below the national average.
Data updated June 2026
Discover Cape Breton, NS
Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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How Cape Breton Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Economy
C+Housing
A+Crime
C+Climate
Education
DCommunity
Is Cape Breton a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Cape Breton receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Cape Breton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Cape Breton is $62,400, 17% below the national average of $75,149. At 19.5%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Cape Breton is $160,000, 43% below the national median / offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $800 per month, below the national average / a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Safety & Crime
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.
Education
11.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 28.5% have completed high school.
Climate & Weather
Cape Breton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. With 253 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 45.7 inches, including 19.8 inches of snow.
Population
Gender Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Cape Breton vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
Social Characteristics
Cape Breton vs U.S. Average
Income: Cape Breton vs U.S.
Commute Mode
Income
| Median HH Income | $62,400 |
| 17% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $40,360 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $776 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 19.5% |
| 442% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% |
| 40% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 0 |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 0 |
| Healthcare | 0 |
| Retail | 0 |
Tax & Cost of Living
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 20.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 83.9% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 14.2% |
Walkability
Home Value Sources
Ownership Split
Home Values
| Census Median | $160,000 |
| 43% below US avg |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $800 |
| 31% below US avg | |
| Rent Burden | 16.1% |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 71.1% |
| Owner-Occupied | 71.1% |
| Renter-Occupied | 28.9% |
| Housing Units | 42,315 |
Property Tax
Crime Rates: Cape Breton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,500.0/100K |
| 79% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 483.9/100K |
| Theft | 2,503.4/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 504.8/100K |
Traffic Safety
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
Temperature
| Annual Average | 41.4°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Area | 934.3 sq mi (2,419.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 100/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.2083°N, 64.7492°W |
| Timezone | America/Halifax |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
Cape Breton has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 16°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.3") and August the driest (3.4").
Education
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 11.8% |
| 65% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 28.5% |
| Graduate Degree+ | 3.7% |
Area & Infrastructure
| Population Density | 100/sq mi |
| Total Area | 934.3 sq mi |
Services
| Healthcare Facilities | 0 |
| Restaurants | 0 |
| Retail Stores | 0 |
Commute & Transportation
| Avg Commute | 20.5 min |
| Drive Alone | 83.9% |
| Public Transit | 1.9% |
| Work from Home | 14.2% |
Colleges & Universities in Cape Breton
| Institution | Type | Enrollment | Acceptance | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCNB - Campus de Dieppe | - | - | - | - | - |
| Crandall University | - | - | - | - | - |
| Crandall University | - | - | - | - | - |
| NBCC Moncton Campus | - | - | - | - | - |
| New Brunswick Community College | - | - | - | - | - |
| Oulton College | - | - | - | - | - |
| Université de Moncton | - | - | - | - | - |
Radio Stations near Cape Breton
13 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJMO-FM 103.1 "Q103" - Moncton, NB | active rock, classic rock | AAC 132 kbps | |
| 103.9 MAX FM - Moncton's Greatest Hits | classic rock, easy listening | MP3 64 kbps | |
| CFBO "Plus 90.7" Dieppe, NB | hot adult contemporary, radio communautaire | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CBC Radio One - Moncton, NB (MP3 stream) | features, news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| CHMA 106.9 FM Sackville, NB | campus radio, community radio | MP3 192 kbps | |
| CHMA-FM 106.9 Mount Allison University - Sackville, NB | campus radio, student radio | MP3 192 kbps | |
| CKNI 91.9 "The Bend" Moncton, NB | adult contemporary | AAC 128 kbps | |
| ICI Radio-Canada Première Nouveau-Brinswick | news, talk | AAC 48 kbps | |
| CJXL "New Country 96.9" Moncton, NB | country, rebranding | AAC 145 kbps | |
| ICI Première Nouveau-Brunswick | information, local news | MP3 128 kbps | |
| Radio Canada Ici Première (Nouveau-Brunswick) Moncton, NB | radio publique | AAC 48 kbps | |
| Radio Canada Ici Musique (Nouveau-Brunswick) Moncton, NB | blues, classical | AAC 48 kbps | |
| CJSE 89.5 "Country 89" Shediac, NB | francophone country, radio communautaire | MP3 128 kbps |
Museums in Cape Breton
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homarus Eco-Centre | ||||
| Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site | ||||
| Musée de Memramcook | ||||
| Resurgo Place (Moncton Museum) | ||||
| Shediac Railway Station | ||||
| Tankville School Museum |
Libraries in Cape Breton
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bibliothèque publique de Saint-Antoine | 0.0 | |||||
| Dieppe Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Memramcook Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Moncton Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Riverview Public Library | 0.0 | |||||
| Shediac Public Library | 0.0 |
Farmers Markets in Cape Breton
| Name | Address | Season | Hours | Organic | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dieppe Market | |||||
| Marché Moncton Market | |||||
| Shediac Park Market | |||||
| Shediac Park Market |
Breweries in Cape Breton
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brew Chez Nous | ||||
| Tide & Boar Brewing |
Stadiums & Teams in Cape Breton
| Team | League | Division |
|---|---|---|
Ski Resorts Near Cape Breton
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poley Mountain Ski Area | 0.0 | - | - | $0 | - | - | - |
Airports Near Cape Breton
6 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport | YQM | Medium Airport |
| Bouctouche Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Cormier Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Havelock Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Moncton / McEwen Airport | - | Small Airport |
| Shediac Bridge Airport | - | Small Airport |
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Cape Breton
What is the population of Cape Breton?
Cape Breton has a population of 93,694 residents and is located in Nova Scotia. The population density is 100 people per square mile, spread across 934.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 50.4 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 52.1% female and 47.9% male.
Is Cape Breton expensive to live in?
The median household income is $62,400, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $160,000 (43% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $800 per month, below the national average of $1,163. The home price-to-income ratio is 2.6x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
Is Cape Breton safe?
Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Cape Breton receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.
What is the weather like in Cape Breton?
Cape Breton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winter temperatures average 16°F in January, while summers reach an average of 65°F in July. The area receives 253 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 45.7 inches, with 19.8 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Cape Breton?
The job market in Cape Breton faces challenges, with unemployment at 19.5% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $776. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and 14.2% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Cape Breton?
The median home value in Cape Breton is $160,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $800. The homeownership rate is 71.1%.
How are the schools in Cape Breton?
11.8% of adults in Cape Breton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 28.5% have completed high school. 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.
What is transportation like in Cape Breton?
The average commute in Cape Breton is 21 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 83.9% of workers drive alone to work, 1.9% use public transit, and 14.2% work from home.
What are the demographics of Cape Breton?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Cape Breton is 94.6% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 3.5% Asian. 95.2% of residents speak only English at home.