Local inhabitants frequently complain about Vancouver’s high cost of living (and the rest of the country considers Vancouver expensive), but, when compared to other developed cities around the world, particularly European cities, it compares very favorably in cost against such urban centers as Moscow (most expensive place to live for expatriates), London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Vancouver is a substantially less-expensive city than many European or Asian cities, but it is substantially more expensive than the majority of U.S. cities.
Something to keep in mind is that Vancouver’s soaring real estate costs do not reflect the reality of Vancouver’s median family income, with the average family now largely unable to afford the cost of a detached house within the city limits of Vancouver. This is why the trend toward moving to eastern suburbs of Vancouver (Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows, etc.) has become so popular; prices in the suburbs, although steadily climbing, are still more affordable than Vancouver prices, overall.
2011 Average Cost of Living in Vancouver (typical costs, modest living)
Average Monthly Budget
- Student: $1200—$1,500/month
- Single professional: $2,000—$3,000/month
- Family with 2 children: $5,000—$7,000/month
Wages in BC
Average wage: $22.98/hour (according to the Ministry of Labour; third highest in Canada)
Minimum wage: $8.75/hour
Median family income (as of 2011): approximately $85,745/year
Accommodation
Vancouver’s real estate prices are the highest in the country.
Average detached house price in 2011: $1,033,000
Rent (unfurnished):
1 bedroom: $800—$1,800/month
2 bedrooms: $1,500—$2,500/month
1 room in a shared place: $500—$900/month
Utilities
Hydro: $40/month/household
Gas: $20—$50/month/household (gas fireplace/gas cookstove)
Transportation
Car insurance cost are fairly high in Vancouver.
Gas: $1.37/liter (2011—highly changeable from day to day, even hour to hour)
Car insurance: $3,500/year (full coverage, but depends on car model)
Transit ticket: $2.50—$5.00 each way (depending on the zone; $2.50 all zones on weekdays after 6:30 pm and on weekends)
Transit FareCard (monthly pass): $81—$151/month
Taxi: $15/5.7 km/11 minutes
Food & Liquor
The range in price is between conventional and organic, with the organic grocery items being on the higher end.
Bread: $3.50—$7.50/loaf
Milk: $6—$10/4 liters or 1 gallon jug
Butter: $6—$10/454 grams or 1 lb
Pasta: $3—$5/454 grams or 1 lb
Eggs: $2—$6/carton of 1 dozen
Apples: $1.29—$2.99/lb
Tomatoes: $1.89—$4.99/lb
Potatoes: $3.49—$7.99/5 lb bag
Rice: $5—$10/kg
Cheese: $10-$50 (or more)/kg (depending on whether you are buying factory-produced or artisan/imported cheese)
Instant Coffee: $6.00/200 grams (national average)
Coffee Beans: $11—$17.99/400 grams (higher price is for organic)
Ground Beef: $3—$7.99/lb
Sirloin steak: $8.99—$22.99/lb
Chicken: $2—$4.99/lb
Salmon fillet: $26/kg
Wine (average quality): $15/bottle
Beer: $2/bottle
Vodka: $23/bottle
Typical fast food meal: $8/meal
For further information on national average food prices, please see Statistics Canada: http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/econ153a-eng.htm.
Miscellaneous
Internet (high speed): $26/month (basic high speed, bundled price)
Cable TV: $36/month (basic cable, bundled price)
Cell Phone: $30/month (basic plan, before taxes and fees and any add-ons; average family plan with average usage = $150—$200/month)
Landline: $20/month (basic landline, bundled price)
Dry Cleaning (per shirt): $2
Babysitting (per hour): $12—$15
Housecleaning (per hour): $15—$70
Education
Public Primary and Secondary public schools are tuition-free in Canada (for Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, and those holding a study permit; for everyone else, typically, international tuition is charged at a rate of around $12,000/year)
Private Primary and Secondary schools (including boarding schools): $8,000—$48,000/year
Full time child care: $700—$2500/month
Tuition – University:
Canadian citizens / Permanent residents: $4,000—$7,000/year
International students: $15,000—$20,000/year
Leisure
Movie ticket: $10—$13
Average meal for 2 in upscale restaurant: $90—$100 (2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 glasses of wine, 2 desserts and coffee; before taxes and tip)
Average meal for 4 in family restaurant: $85 (shared starter, 4 non-alcoholic drinks, 4 main courses, 4 desserts; before taxes and tip)
Opera ticket: $23—$184 (top balcony to main floor orchestra)
Ballet ticket: $30 or more
Gym membership: $30—$70 or more/month (rates widely vary)
Other items
IPod 8GB Nano: $160
IPad 2: $650.00
TV 40”—42” LED: $500—$800
Standard laptop (PC): $350—$750
NOTE: Metric to Imperial conversion—1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lbs)
