What Is the Cost of Living in Vancouver?
People from every corner of the globe move to Vancouver as it is one of the safest, cleanest and offers its residents a multi-cultural and vibrant lifestyle. The cost of living in Vancouver is one of the highest in Canada, along with Toronto.
In this article, we will talk about monthly expenses for living in Vancouver!
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Vancouver?
Knowing the monthly spending before moving to a new city is very important to plan the 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$.
What Are the Top Expenses of Living in Vancouver?
1. Accommodation
After moving to Vancouver, the most difficult task will be finding a decent housing space for yourself. Owing to Vancouver's competitive housing market, getting hold of affordable living space is stressful. Furthermore, the monthly rents of property vary from region to region within the city.
| Classification of Accommodation | Location | Average Rent Per Month |
| 1 BHK | Centre of the City | 2,000 C$ |
| 2 BHK | Centre of the City | 2,800 C$ |
| 3 BHK | Centre of the City | 3,650 C$ |
| 1 BHK | Outside the Centre of Dublin | 1,600 C$ |
| 2 BHK | Outside the Centre of Dublin | 2,200 C$ |
| 3 BHK | Outside the Centre of Dublin | 2,800 C$ |
The table illustrated below shows the approximate cost of buying a property in Vancouver –
| Accommodation Type | Location | Cost Per Square Metre |
| Apartment | Centre of the City | 12,000 C$ |
| Apartment | Outside the Centre of Vancouver | 9,000 C$ |
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) | 2 C$ |
| Fresh Bread (500g) | 3 C$ |
| Rice (white) (1kg) | 4 C$ |
| Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) | 5 C$ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 15 C$ |
| Chicken 1 kg (boneless) | 15 C$ |
| Apples (1kg) | 4 C$ |
| Banana (1kg) | 2 C$ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 4 C$ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 5 C$ |
| Potato (1kg) | 3 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 | 95 C$ |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | 0.31 C$ |
| Unlimited internet package | 86 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 20th June) | 2.71 C$ |
| Price of gasoline (as of 20th June) | 2.68 C$ |
| Cabs (minimum cost) | 3.25 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 | 55 C$ |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | 16 C$ |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | 15 C$ |
| 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) | 1,300 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 |
How Expensive Is Vancouver Compared to Other Top Cities?
A global survey conducted in 2022 names Vancouver the most expensive city to live in Canada. The prices of grocery items are 1.92% higher in Vancouver than in Los Angeles. The rental prices in Vancouver are 64.09% higher than those in California.
These are all the information related to the cost of living in Vancouver. To summarise, it is very important for everyone to manage their expenses wisely in this city in order to lead a hassle-free and comfortable stay in this fantastic city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best places to live in Vancouver?
Some of the best places to reside in Vancouver are Kerrisdale, Main and West End.
How much does a single person need to live in Vancouver?
The approximate cost of living in Vancouver for a single person is 1,200 C$.