Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia

Halifax is a large city in Nova Scotia with a population of 439,819. Residents earn $81,000 per year, which is 8% above the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
439,819 Population 208/sq mi density
$81,000 Median Income $50,880 per capita
$348,000 Home Value
$1,170 Median Rent 21.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
94 Violent Crime/100K 67 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$81,000 median income, 11.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$348,000 home value, $1,170/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
94 violent crimes/100K (75% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $81,000
8% higher than US avg
Home Value $348,000
23% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 94/100K
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.0%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,170
1% higher than US avg
Unemployment 11.4%
217% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.0%
3% lower than US avg

How Halifax Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population439,819
Median Age40.4 yrs
Density208/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

B
Median Income$81,000
Per Capita$50,880
Unemployment11.4%
Poverty12.0%
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$348,000
Rent$1,170
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units190,505
Rent Burden21.8%

Crime

F
Violent94/100K
Property67/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQIN/A
Rain74.3 in/yr
Elevation144 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.0%
High School+25.3%
Graduate+9.7%

Community

Commute24 min

Is Halifax a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Halifax receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Halifax has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Halifax is $81,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 11.4%, unemployment is notably high. 12.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Halifax is $348,000, 23% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,170 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Halifax is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 94 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 67 per 100,000, 97% below the national average.

Education

22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 25.3% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Halifax experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 74.3 inches, including 49.0 inches of snow.

Halifax has a population of 439,819 with a density of 208 people per square mile. The median age is 40.4 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.2%), with 4.7% Black, 8.3% Asian.

Population

439,819
Total Population
2021 Census
208
People / sq mi
40.4yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2,114.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Halifax vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.6%
8% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg
Other Languages13.1%

Social Characteristics

Halifax vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Halifax is $81,000, which is 8% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 11.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Halifax vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$81,000
8% above US avg
Per Capita Income$50,880

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.4%
217% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.0%
3% below US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit8.1%
Work from Home38.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Halifax is $348,000, 23% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,170 (1% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$348,000
23% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,170
1% above US avg
Rent Burden21.8%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.5%
Renter-Occupied42.5%
Housing Units190,505

Property Tax

Health Metrics: Halifax vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Halifax has a violent crime rate of 94 per 100,000 residents, 75% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 67 per 100,000 (97% below US avg).

Crime Rates: Halifax vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent93.6/100K
75% below US avg

Property Crime

Total Property66.7/100K
97% below US avg

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Halifax has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 74.3 inches.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall74.3 inches
95% above US avg
Snowfall49.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

Geography

Elevation144 ft (44 m)
Area2,114.1 sq mi (5,475.6 km²)
Population Density208/sq mi
Coordinates44.6427°N, 63.5769°W
TimezoneAmerica/Halifax
22.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg).

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.0%
35% below US avg
High School+25.3%
Graduate Degree+9.7%
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density208/sq mi
Total Area2,114.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Drive Alone73.7%
Public Transit8.1%
Work from Home38.5%

Nearby Cities

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