Prince George, located in the heart of British Columbia, Canada, offers a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty. Understanding the cost of living in this city is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Prince George, including housing, transportation, groceries, and more, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $14.30 on average, with a range between $10.73 and $21.45.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $71.45, with prices ranging from $53.63 to $107.26.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.22, with a range between $6.44 and $9.17.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5.01 to $6.40, imported beer $7.15 to $10.01, cappuccino $2.15 to $3.72, and Coke/Pepsi $2.15 to $2.23.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.32 and $2.35 per liter, averaging $1.86.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.41 and $2.86, with an average price of $2.32.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.70 to $5.15, averaging $4.81.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.68 per kg, while oranges range from $3.58 to $4.29 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced at $3.10 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.77 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $1.79, with a monthly pass priced at $42.91.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.15 and $1.32 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.04.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $786.60 to $1072.63, averaging $902.80.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $715.09 to $1287.16, averaging $858.11.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1144.14 to $2002.25, averaging $1659.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1072.63 to $1787.72, averaging $1530.29.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $121.56 and $228.99, averaging $164.52.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $53.63 to $143.02, with an average cost of $56.31.
Worldwide
Canada

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Canada are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Canada, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Feb, 2025
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 26 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$14.30
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$71.45
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.22
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.72
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.30
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.23
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.86
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.32
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.81
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.29
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.66
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.51
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.88
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$14.30
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.08
Apples (1kg)
$4.68
Oranges (1kg)
$3.93
Potato (1kg)
$3.10
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.45
Tomato (1kg)
$3.10
Banana (1kg)
$1.23
Onion (1kg)
$3.70
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$10.53
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.79
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.91
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,002.55
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$19,928.21
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$902.80
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$858.11
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$1,659.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,530.29
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$164.52
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$56.31
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$51.84
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$48.15
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$8.58
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.19
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$86.86
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$85.81
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,237.76
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.78%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$715.09
Prince George Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Prince George offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities. Dining out is reasonably priced, and grocery costs are moderate.

Housing is affordable, especially outside the city centre, making it an attractive option for families and individuals seeking more space.

Transportation costs are low, with affordable public transport options and competitive fuel prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Prince George provides a balanced cost of living with affordable housing, moderate grocery prices, and low transportation costs.

This makes it an appealing choice for those looking to enjoy a good quality of life without the high expenses associated with larger urban areas.