Cost of living in Vancouver

Vancouver, a bustling city on the west coast of Canada, is known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural scene. Understanding the cost of living in Vancouver is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in this dynamic city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

An image showcasing the beauty of Vancouver

People enjoying the surroundings of Vancouver

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

Inexpensive Restaurant MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $17.9 on average, with a range between $12.17 and $35.8.
Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $85.93, with prices ranging from $57.29 to $143.22.
Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's)A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $10.74, with a range between $10.03 and $12.89.
Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi)Domestic beer ranges from $4.3 to $7.88, imported beer $5.73 to $10.03, cappuccino $2.51 to $5.73, and Coke/Pepsi $1.43 to $2.86.

Grocery Prices

MilkMilk is priced between $1.07 and $3.58 per liter, averaging $1.86.
Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.79 and $4.74, with an average price of $2.91.
Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs range from $2.15 to $5.36, averaging $3.96.
Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges)Apples cost $1.99 to $7.16 per kg, while oranges range from $1.89 to $7.89 per kg.
Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce)Potatoes are priced between $1.36 and $5.73 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.43 to $3.58 per head.

Transportation

Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.83 and $2.86, with a monthly pass priced between $75.19 and $135.66.
Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.2 and $1.54 per liter.
Taxi FaresTaxi fares start at $3.04, with a cost of $1.45 to $1.79 per km and $21.48 to $27.88 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1790.21 to $2506.29, averaging $2019.08.
1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1432.17 to $2005.03, averaging $1690.9.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $3007.55 to $4314.4, averaging $3641.09.
3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent ranges from $2148.25 to $3580.42, averaging $2765.41.
Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $8478.65 to $14259.54, averaging $10350.15.
Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $6166.29 to $9249.43, averaging $7206.66.

Utilities

Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $55.33 and $170.43, averaging $100.72.
InternetInternet services range from $39.38 to $85.93, with an average cost of $57.22.

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 469 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.

Restaurants

Avg / Range

Restaurants

Avg

Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

$17.90

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

$85.93

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

$10.74

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.53

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82

Cappuccino (regular)

$4.11

Markets

Avg / Range

Markets

Avg

Range

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

$1.86

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

$2.91

Eggs (regular) (12)

$3.96

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.27

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.89

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

$14.32

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.77

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

$14.68

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.46

Apples (1kg)

$4.49

Oranges (1kg)

$3.85

Potato (1kg)

$3.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51

Rice (white), (1kg)

$3.92

Tomato (1kg)

$4.77

Banana (1kg)

$1.30

Onion (1kg)

$2.89

Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

$16.53

Transportation

Avg / Range

Transportation

Avg

Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

$2.29

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$94.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

$24,331.09

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.04

Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)

$1.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$26.21

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

$20,286.32

Rent Per Month

Avg / Range

Rent Per Month

Avg

Range

Avg

Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,325.31

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.35%

Childcare

Avg / Range

Childcare

Avg

Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

$1,129.03

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

$15,574.82

Worldwide

Canada

Cost of Living Rankings

Vancouver ranks 3rd on the Cost of Living rankings in Canada.

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: Oct, 2025

Full Cost of Living Rankings

Overview Job Market

Affordability

Very Expensive

About this index

Vancouver Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Vancouver is known for its high cost of living, particularly in terms of housing and dining. Rent prices in the city centre are significantly higher than those outside the centre.
Transportation costs are moderate, with public transport offering a cost-effective option for getting around the city.
Grocery prices vary, with some items like milk and bread being relatively affordable, while others, such as cheese and beef, are more expensive.
Utilities and internet costs are reasonable, but it's important to budget for these monthly expenses.

Conclusion

Living in Vancouver offers a vibrant lifestyle with access to beautiful natural surroundings and a diverse cultural scene. However, the cost of living is relatively high, especially for housing and dining.

Prospective residents should carefully consider their budget and explore options for saving on housing and transportation to make the most of living in this dynamic city.