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Cost of Living in Vancouver, Canada

Prices in Vancouver

IndexesInfo
Consumer Price Index (Excl.Rent): 102.23
Rent Index: 56.73
Groceries Index: 105.07
Restaurants Index: 91.37
Consumer Price Plus Rent Index: 80.34
Local Purchasing Power: 81.32

Currency: Default Currency      Switch to imperial measurement units
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Restaurants [Edit] mean
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 12.00 C$
10.00
15.00
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 70.00 C$
50.00
80.00
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 8.00 C$
7.00
8.16
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 5.50 C$
5.00
6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 6.00 C$
5.00
7.00
Cappuccino (regular) 3.97 C$
3.40
4.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 2.00 C$
1.50
2.33
Water (0.33 liter bottle) 2.00 C$
1.50
2.00
 
Markets [Edit] mean
Milk (regular), 1 liter 2.00 C$
1.32
2.39
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 3.00 C$
2.50
3.98
Rice (1kg) 4.99 C$
3.35
6.00
Eggs (12) 4.00 C$
3.00
4.59
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.00 C$
10.00
20.00
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 14.50 C$
10.00
16.00
Apples (1kg) 3.10 C$
2.40
4.00
Oranges (1kg) 3.00 C$
2.22
3.92
Tomato (1kg) 3.00 C$
3.00
3.00
Potato (1kg) 1.25 C$
1.00
2.00
Lettuce (1 head) 1.50 C$
1.00
2.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 2.00 C$
1.50
2.99
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 17.50 C$
12.50
20.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 3.00 C$
2.00
4.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 3.00 C$
2.50
4.00
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 10.00 C$
9.00
12.00
 
Transportation [Edit] mean
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 2.75 C$
2.50
2.75
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 90.36 C$
81.00
100.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 3.28 C$
3.05
3.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 1.87 C$
1.45
1.89
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 29.59 C$
28.62
34.00
Gasoline (1 liter) 1.40 C$
1.33
1.43
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 20,000.00 C$
18,999.00
24,000.00
 
Utilities (Monthly) [Edit] mean
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment 150.00 C$
100.00
200.00
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 0.32 C$
0.25
0.40
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 45.00 C$
35.00
50.00
 
Sports And Leisure [Edit] mean
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 50.00 C$
40.78
60.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 30.00 C$
15.00
40.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 12.50 C$
12.00
14.00
 
Clothing And Shoes [Edit] mean
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 70.00 C$
50.00
80.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 70.00 C$
50.00
79.90
1 Pair of Nike Shoes 110.00 C$
90.00
140.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes 120.00 C$
85.00
140.00
 
Rent Per Month [Edit] mean
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 1,350.00 C$
1,200.00
1,500.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 950.00 C$
800.00
1,100.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 2,900.00 C$
2,500.00
3,500.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 1,800.00 C$
1,600.00
2,100.00
 
Buy Apartment Price [Edit] mean
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre 7,319.46 C$
6,555.22
9,687.52
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 5,381.96 C$
4,843.76
5,564.94
 
Salaries And Financing [Edit] mean
Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) 2,600.00 C$
2,200.00
3,500.00
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentanges (%), Yearly 4.00
3.20
4.90

These data are based on 1751 entries in the past 18 months from 258 different contributors.

Last update : May, 2013

Sources and References : Info
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15 Comments so far

#chad on May 09, 2013 :
I live central d/t for the past 7 yrs the prices are all around pretty accurate.
#levi on May 07, 2013 :
im living in perth australia that will open your eyes canada is slightly cheaper but not much wine is 6 to 10 dollar a bottle an pints in the pub are 10 dollars the average man here earns 80 to 100,000 so comparing this perth isnt bad after all
#CostPatrol on Feb 22, 2013 :
This is a good snapshot info of cost of living in greater Vancouver.
But I've noticed that lately, the prices have been going up in double digits (10%+) overnight.

For example, two A&W Teen burgers (with coupon) that used to be $5 - 2 months ago are now $7 for two. That's a 40% jump. Even shopping with coupons is now not affordable anymore.

I go to a local supermarket, a few weeks ago, a box of minute maid carton of juice for $1. I thought "good deal" and bought one. A couple of weeks after that, the same box cost about $1.20. Then after that $1.80. It was keep rising and rising in a matter of a few months. you might say, oh it's only 80 cent difference. But is it? That's an 80% jump in a period of a few months!

Next time you go to the grocery store and check the price of milk. It's now $5 for a 4L jug. And a loaf of bread, about $4 or more. It's just getting harder and harder for middle class families.

Salaries have been frozen for the last few years but the price of living is going up very fast everywhere, and especially in Vancouver.
#Biff Donut on Dec 19, 2012 :
Yeah, it's pricey to rent downtown BUT you do not need a car. Pay the extra and walk everywhere. If you need a car rent one for the day, weekend, whatever. Heck, I even walk across the bridges to go play tennis in Kits at times.
#Clara on Dec 13, 2012 :
I leaved in Kamloops in 2011. was nightmare.my income was at retaler store $700. was renting basemet with my student daughter for$1000 a month, no car, food was the exspencive one.If not my husbands income abroad, who send us money every month ,we would end up in shelter. Canadian goveremet shoud stop cheating and bringing more emegrants to Canada. People come here with big dremas but end up with nothing. They sell everything they have in their country. Universitys and dorms very exspensive too.Thank you.
#Andrew on Dec 12, 2012 :
Although some of the data in this survey may seem a little dated, I have to point out that there is much more to the region the just downtown. The downtown core of any large city will cost more. Just outside the core of vancouver is quite reasonable when compared to places like edmonoton. The index I have been working on has a mean net income of 1800.00 per month, and if a person is willing to take transit, you would require 21.00 dollars per hour, 40 hours a week, to equal what 13.00 and 37.5 hours per week will achieve in areas just outside vancouver proper. This is in comparison to edmonton alberta.
#Neil on Dec 10, 2012 :
I've live in Vancouver all my life. Back in the 80's, I had a two bedroom apartment in Downtown Richmond, drove a Classic mid-60's sports cars,and went out every weekend with my buddies. Today I make a lot more than I did then. I live in a sub 400 square foot bachelor apartment, don't own a car, and rarely go out.
Your numbers are a bit skewed, currently in Vancouver you need to be making over $60K to have a basic one bedroom, own a car, save for retirement, and go out once in a while. Good luck!!!
#Dan on Jul 21, 2012 :
Depends on how long you've lived and worked here, education level, etc. I had started off in a bad situation, but after a couple years I'm doing alright.

(Does not take spousal incoming into account)

Rent ~ 1200 for 1bd in kits (expensive area)
Job ~ 2,800 / mo + stocks = 2,900 + benefits (skilled - room for growth)
Utilities - $20/mo
Internet - $30/mo (6Mbps w/ unlimited data)
Phone - $30/mo (w/ 6GB LTE data)

I wouldn't doubt city workers, and such get paid about the same as I do ($50-$60K), not to mention some of the construction jobs. Most technical and in demand positions would get paid this much.
#April on Jul 10, 2012 :
Yeah - $3000 after taxes for the average person in Vancouver seems a bit steep, I doubt the thousands of students + human services workers, artists, hospitality workers, gas kioask attendants, retail workers, taxi drivers are not making anywhere near that. And who in Vancouver is not paying 40-50% of their income on rent? Nobody I know,and I don't believe it's been 28% for a few years now - even 'affordable housing' such as co-ops are charging 30-50-%...and that's based on gross income not net!
Vancouver has catapulted the charts of the most expensive cities in the world to seize the second position by ousting Sydney, which hitherto had been enjoying this lauded place after Honk Kong. The median home price of Vancouver, according to a survey, depicted to be as high as 10.6 when compared to its MEDIAN PRETAX income. Sydney, in the same measurements came up to 9.2, while Hong Kong captured the highest position as the most costly city in the world to live with 12.6.
#aron on Jul 06, 2012 :
im living in this town already for 6 months and never met anyone that is making 3000dol after tax.
that is rediculous!
people that earn 2000$ are lucky
#Mladen on Apr 01, 2012 :
The software at the website is updates so now the old prices (i.e. 2 years old are archived (not used in calculation any more). Thank you all for your input.
#Anonymous on Mar 09, 2012 :
These prices are bullshit. Maybe accurate for 2008.
#Tara on Mar 07, 2012 :
The VERY cheapest is 16.49? I can name about 10 bottles and brands for close to or under $10 at BC Liquor Store, some as little as $8.90. Proprietor's Reserve, Painted Turtle, XOXO, Naked Grape, Hey Mumbo, Brokeass, etc etc.

I would say all these numbers are pretty spot on!
#James on Feb 02, 2012 :
Sarah, please update the prices.
#Sarah on Feb 01, 2012 :
When was this updated??? The cost of living is much higher! Clear example...mid range bottle of wine - $17.24. The VERY cheapest you will find a bottle of wine is in the $16.49 range at a BC liquer store. Mid range would be 28-35 bucks. Rent for a one bedroom in downtown...I would not say the average one bedroom in downtown Van is $1,299 - I would say GOOD LUCK finding anything for less than that. Living in Vancouver is $$$. You pay for what you get. Beautiful city...unparalleled scenery = big money

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