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What is the Cost of Living in Vancouver in 2025?

What Is the Average Cost of Living in Vancouver?

Knowing the monthly spending before moving to a new city is very important in planning expenses beforehand. The approximate cost of living in Vancouver for a family of four per month is 4,4100 C$ without rent, and that of a single person is 1,200 C$. The table below shows the approximate monthly expenditures in Vancouver:

Area of Expense Cost
Rent CAD 2,500 - 4,500 per month
Entertainment CAD 60 - 120 per month
Groceries CAD 300 - 500 per month
Transport CAD 100 - 130 per month
Utilities CAD 100 - 200 per month
Schooling of children CAD 1,000 - 2,500 per month

Cost of Living in Vancouver for Bachelors

Vancouver's standard living costs encompass rent, utilities, groceries, leisure activities, transportation, and other expenditures. Expenditure can be influenced by variables like location, diverse lifestyle preferences, and spending patterns. The following table illustrates several significant expenses:

Area of Expense Price Range
Accommodation CAD 2,200 - 2,800 per month
Groceries CAD 300 - 500 per month
Transport CAD 200 - 500 per month
Utilities CAD 100 - 150 per month
Entertainment and Shopping CAD 70 - 200 per month
Housemaid CAD 80 - 120 per visit
Wi-Fi CAD 50 - 100 per month
Bus Pass/Metro Pass CAD 100 - 130 (for 1 zone)
Miscellaneous CAD 200 - 400 per month

Cost of Living in Vancouver for Students

The expenses necessary for students living in Vancouver are detailed in the table below:

Area of Expense Price Range
Rent (shared apartment) CAD 700 - 1,200 per month
Rent (single room PG) CAD 900 - 1,500 per month
Food (monthly) CAD 300 - 500 per month
Transportation (monthly) CAD 200 - 400 per month
Utilities (monthly) CAD 50 - 100 per month
Wi-Fi CAD 50 - 100 per month
Miscellaneous CAD 100 - 300 per month
Bus Pass/Metro Pass CAD 100 - 130 (for 1 zone)

Cost of Living in Vancouver for a Family

Vancouver offers a variety of accommodation options, including apartments, cottages, and villas. Please refer to the table below for the primary living expenses for families in Vancouver: 

Area of Expense Price Range
Accommodation CAD 3,500 - 4,500 per month
Groceries & Food CAD 600 - 1,000 per month
Transport CAD 100 - 200 per month
Utilities CAD 150 - 250 per month
Entertainment & Shopping CAD 200 - 400 per month
Education & Daycare CAD 1,000 - 1,500 per month
Housemaid CAD 80 - 120 per visit
Wi-Fi CAD 50 - 100 per month
Miscellaneous CAD 200 - 400 per month

Cost of Living in Vancouver for Couples

While living in Vancouver, couples need to consider charges like rent, accommodation, electricity, groceries, transport, and entertainment. Go through the table below for more details: 

Area of Expense Price Range
1 BHK apartment for rent CAD 2,200 - 2,800 per month
2 BHK apartments for rent CAD 3,500 - 4,500 per month
Electricity bill CAD 50 - 100 per month
Bus pass CAD 100 - 130 per person
Wi-Fi CAD 50 - 100 per month
Groceries CAD 400 - 600 per month
Meal for two CAD 70 - 100 per month
Housemaid CAD 80 - 120 per visit
Miscellaneous CAD 200 - 400 per month

Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Vancouver

The factors that influence the cost of living in Vancouver include the following:

 

1.  Accommodation

After moving to Vancouver, the most difficult task will be finding a decent housing space for yourself. Owing to Vancouver's competitive housing market, getting hold of affordable living space is stressful. Furthermore, the monthly rents of property vary from region to region within the city.

Classification of Accommodation Location
1 BHK Centre of the City
2 BHK Centre of the City
3 BHK Centre of the City
1 BHK Outside the Centre of Dublin
2 BHK Outside the Centre of Dublin
3 BHK Outside the Centre of Dublin

The table illustrated below shows the approximate cost of buying a property in Vancouver:

Accommodation Type Location
Apartment Centre of the City
Apartment Outside the Centre of Vancouver

2. Groceries

Apart from the monthly rent, the prices of grocery items are high. However, due to the high salary of an individual working in Vancouver, the overall cost of groceries will be nominal.

Grocery Items Approximate Cost
Milk (regular) (1 litre) 3 C$
Fresh Bread (500g) 4 C$
Rice (white) (1kg) 5 C$
Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) 7 C$
Local Cheese (1kg) 15 C$
Chicken 1 kg (boneless) 16 C$
Apples (1kg) 5.46 C$
Banana (1kg) 3 C$
Oranges (1kg) 4 C$
Tomato (1kg) 5 C$
Potato (1kg) 4.6 C$
Onion (1kg) 3 C$
Lettuce (1 head) 2 C$

3. Basic Utilities

The average cost of utilities in Vancouver also impacts the overall monthly budget. There are several mobile networks and internet providers that offer decent connectivity throughout the year.

Utilities Approximate Cost
Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage 100 C$
Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) 0.35 C$
Unlimited internet package 90 C$

4. Transportation

Vancouver has an efficient public transportation system known as TransLink that connects every corner of the city with a network of trains, buses and ferries. The table below shows the monthly cost of various modes of transportation:

Fuel Cost/Transportation Service Approximate Cost
One-way ticket (public transport) 3 C$
Monthly pass (public transport) 120 C$
Taxi 1 km normal tariff 2 C$
Price of diesel (as of July 2024) 1.89 C$
Price of gasoline (as of July 2024) 1.99 C$
Cabs (minimum cost) 3.45 C$

5. Entertainment and Leisure

Vancouver has multiple cinemas, theatres, parks and pubs where a person can relax after working hard. However, the expenses vary depending on how much time they spend in this area.

Area of Expense Approximate Cost
1-month gym membership 60 C$
1-hour rent for a tennis court 19 C$
1 seat in a cinema hall 17 C$
A meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) 20 C$
Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant 80 C$
McMeal at McDonald's 12 C$

6. Schooling and Childcare

Expats who move to the city with their children can send their kids for education and training to a public school at no cost. However, parents who prefer to admit their children to private schools have to pay high tuition fees.

 

School and Childcare Approximate Cost
Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child (monthly) 1,500 C$
International primary school for 1 child (yearly) 27,000 C$

The table below shows some of the best schools in Vancouver –

Name of School Curriculum
Collingwood School (Morven Campus) British Columbia
Mulgrave School British Columbia
Rockridge Secondary School British Columbia/MYP
Sentinel Secondary School British Columbia
Shawnigan Lake School British Columbia

Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in Vancouver

Important Things to Know Before Moving to Vancouver

Frequently Asked Questions