Saint John residents see the highest municipal spending per person in New Brunswick. A new study from the Fraser Institute reveals the city spent $3,021 per resident in 2024. This figure places Saint John well above the provincial average and far ahead of neighboring communities.

Image source: The Fraser Institute

How Saint John Compares to the Rest of the Province

The average municipal expenditure across ten major New Brunswick cities sits at $2,410 per person. Saint John exceeds this average by over $600. On the other end of the spectrum, Quispamsis recorded the lowest spending at $1,868 per person.

Revenue figures tell a similar story. Saint John collected the highest revenue per person in 2024 at $3,506. The provincial average for revenue is $3,008 per person. Quispamsis again sits at the bottom, collecting $2,152 per person.

A Decade of Financial Shifts

Despite holding the top spot for spending, Saint John actually reduced its per person expenditures over the last decade. From 2015 to 2024, the city saw a 19.8 percent decline in inflation adjusted spending. This represents the steepest drop among all major municipalities in the province.

Other cities like Fredericton, Bathurst, Moncton, and Dieppe also reduced their spending during this period. Meanwhile, Rothesay increased its spending by 6.6 percent, outpacing both inflation and population growth. Riverview, Edmundston, Quispamsis, and Miramichi also saw spending increases.

Austin Thompson, senior policy analyst at the Fraser Institute, highlights the importance of tracking these financial trends.

“A clear understanding of how municipalities’ finances evolve over time, and how they compare to one another, is essential to assessing whether changes in revenue and expenditure are aligned with residents’ expectations for taxation and service delivery,” Thompson said.

He adds that these spending differences reflect the direct impact of local government decisions on your community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which New Brunswick city spends the most per person?

Saint John spends the most per person. The city recorded $3,021 in municipal spending per resident in 2024.

Which city spends the least per person?

Quispamsis spends the least among major New Brunswick municipalities. The town spent $1,868 per person in 2024.

Did Saint John increase its spending recently?

No. Saint John actually decreased its inflation adjusted spending by 19.8 percent between 2015 and 2024. This is the largest spending decline in the province.

What is the average municipal spending in New Brunswick?

The average spending across the ten major municipalities is $2,410 per person.