Prince Edward Island is one of the most picturesque provinces

In this article, we'll cover the following topics:

• geographical location;
• climate;
• where to live;
• crime;
• education;
• work and salary;
• prices and taxes;
• healthcare;
• population;
• what to see;
• immigration programs.

Prince Edward Island is one of the Maritime provinces in eastern Canada, located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence east of New Brunswick and north of Nova Scotia. The island is known for its red-sand beaches, lighthouses, fertile farmland, and abundant seafood, including lobsters and mussels.

This maritime province consists of the main island and 231 smaller islands, many of which are uninhabited. The province covers an area of 5,660 km² and has a population of about 179,300 (as of January 2025), making it the smallest and least populous province. However, in recent years, Prince Edward Island has shown one of the fastest population growth rates among all Canadian provinces.

Fun fact about the province! The local Mi'kmaq people called the island Abegweit — traditionally translated as "cradled on the waves," which accurately describes the crescent-shaped island surrounded by sea waters.

Where is Prince Edward Island located?

The main island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 200 km north of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and 600 km east of Quebec. The island has only two significant urban areas; the capital Charlottetown and its suburbs, and the harbor town of Summerside. The rest of the island consists of rolling hills, sandy beaches, and forests.

Charlottetown has a population of over 36,000 (as of 2025), and its busy harbor provides many job opportunities.

The island has a moderate continental climate with maritime influences, featuring moderately cold winters and warm, humid summers. Winter storms and blizzards are common, while spring, summer, and fall bring abundant rainfall, making it ideal for agriculture. In July and August, the average temperature is 23°C, occasionally rising to 30°C. Winters are relatively mild, with daytime temperatures around -3°C.

Cost of Living

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Prince Edward Island residents enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with relatively low costs for living, housing, and heating. Although the average family income is approximately $62,500 CAD, which is slightly below the Canadian average.

Prince Edward Island is an excellent place to live and raise a family. It's easy to buy a home here, with average house prices around $376,000 CAD (estimated for 2025).

Renting is also significantly cheaper than in southern Canada. Rental costs range from $1,250 CAD to $2,500 CAD, depending on the number of rooms and location.

Other monthly expenses:

• daycare — $10 CAD per day (subsidized through the federal program);
• private daycare — $30 CAD — $35 CAD per day;
• transit pass — $20 CAD;
• internet — $60 CAD — $90 CAD;
• gym membership — $40 CAD — $60 CAD.

Economy

Besides tourism, Prince Edward Island's economy is almost entirely based on agriculture, which provides most of the country's potato crop. The island is also known for other agricultural products, such as dairy.

There are many interesting job opportunities for immigrants, from fishing to agriculture, tourism, and recreation. Overall, it's a very welcoming and diverse region.

Taxes and Salaries

In this part of Canada, the value-added tax is one of the highest in the country at 15%. In addition to VAT, there's an income tax, which depends on your income. The average after-tax salary ranges from $2,500 CAD to $3,000 CAD.

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As of early 2024, a new five-tier income tax system is in place:

Demographics

The majority of the population is of British Isles descent (Scottish, Irish, and English), with a small number of French Acadian descendants, although English is the official language. People of Scottish descent make up 38-40% of the population, followed by Irish at just under 30-32%, and English at 28-30%.

Education

In addition to the public primary and secondary education system, the island has few higher education institutions. There is one university, aptly named the University of Prince Edward Island, and three colleges:

• Holland College;
• Maritime Christian College;
• Collège de l'Île (French-language).

Attractions

Charlottetown hosts an annual arts festival and jazz festival featuring local musicians. Since the city was built in Victorian style, even simple walks are a great pleasure.

Obviously, as the province is an island, water sports and all kinds of fishing are very popular here.

The island also attracts visitors with its abundance of beaches — there are over 90 of them. The opportunities and programs for sports and recreation are also impressive and delightful. The most notable place for recreation and tourism is Prince Edward Island National Park, which stretches along the Gulf of St. Lawrence for almost 40 km.

In fact, in every major town, you'll find an ice rink and golf courses, baseball and soccer fields, as well as basketball courts.

Fun fact about the province! Prince Edward Island is connected to New Brunswick by the Confederation Bridge — a local landmark. At 12.9 km long, it's the world's longest bridge built over ice-covered water.

Immigration

The province has its own immigration program — Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). It includes several streams.

For Skilled Workers

• Critical Workers stream — for foreigners currently working for an employer in Prince Edward Island in low-skilled occupations;
• International Graduates stream — for candidates who graduated from a post-secondary institution in Prince Edward Island and are currently working in the province;
• PEI Express Entry stream — for skilled professionals registered in the Express Entry system;
• Skilled Workers in PEI stream — for skilled professionals currently working for an employer in Prince Edward Island;
• Skilled Workers Outside Canada stream — for skilled professionals outside Canada who have received a job offer from an employer in the province;
• Occupations In Demand stream — for professionals in specific occupations who have received a job offer in the province;
• Intermediate Experience stream — for those who have worked in Canada and received a job offer in Prince Edward Island.

For Entrepreneurs

• Work Permit stream — for foreign citizens with business management or ownership experience who want to move to Prince Edward Island temporarily to start a business and eventually become permanent residents.

Popular Occupations

In-demand occupations in the province (under the Occupations In Demand stream):

• Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102);
• Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300);
• Construction trades helpers and laborers (NOC 75110);
• Light duty cleaners (NOC 65310);
• Laborers in processing, manufacturing and utilities (NOC 95109);
• Material handlers (NOC 75101);
• Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing (NOC 94140);
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers (NOC 94141).

Other in-demand occupations in Prince Edward Island for 2025 include:

• Healthcare professionals: including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and paramedics. Demand for healthcare specialists remains high due to growing population needs and an aging demographic.
• Information Technology (IT) specialists: software developers, network administrators, cybersecurity experts, and data analysts are particularly in demand as digital infrastructure expands.
• Education workers: teachers, especially those qualified in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and educators for preschool and elementary schools.
• Agricultural workers: including farmers, agronomists, and agricultural processing specialists. Agriculture is a crucial industry for the province's economy.
• Tourism and hospitality workers: especially during summer months when tourism peaks on the island. This includes hotel managers, tour guides, restaurant staff, and service workers.
• Construction workers and engineers: as residential and commercial construction continues on the island, builders, engineers, and designers are in high demand.
• Transportation and logistics: truck drivers, warehouse operators, and logistics managers are also needed to facilitate the movement of goods to and from the island.