Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon, Canada, is known for its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living in Whitehorse is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this northern 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.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $13.59 on average, with a range between $11.44 and $15.73.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $71.51, with prices ranging from $57.21 to $85.81.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.94, with a range between $7.15 and $10.73.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3.58 to $4.29, imported beer $5.01 to $6.44, cappuccino $3.93 to $5.01, and Coke/Pepsi $2.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.23 and $4.11 per liter, averaging $3.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.15 and $5.01, with an average price of $3.75.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.15 to $4.28, averaging $3.93.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.72 per kg, while oranges range from $1.43 to $3.93 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.36 and $3.14 per kg, and lettuce costs $3.57 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.79 and $2.86, with a monthly pass priced between $42.91 and $44.34.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.18 and $1.39 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.58, with a cost of $1.79 to $3.58 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1287.16 to $1573.19, averaging $1430.18.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1072.63 to $1287.16, averaging $1179.9.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2145.26 to $2502.81, averaging $2324.04.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1859.23 to $2145.26, averaging $2002.25.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $7358.39.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $3275.71.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $128.72 and $357.54, averaging $205.36.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $71.51 to $178.77, with an average cost of $120.96.
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: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 17 user contributions, as of the most recent update in May, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$13.59
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$71.51
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.94
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.72
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.47
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$3.00
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.75
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.93
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$5.72
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$20.02
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$16.09
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.84
Apples (1kg)
$4.72
Oranges (1kg)
$2.68
Potato (1kg)
$1.75
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.57
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.11
Tomato (1kg)
$5.01
Banana (1kg)
$2.29
Onion (1kg)
$2.15
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$15.87
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$1.79
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$43.62
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$19,299.51
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.58
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.86
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,430.18
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,179.90
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,324.04
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,002.25
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$205.36
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$120.96
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$41.83
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$40.52
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.90
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$10.01
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$7,358.39
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$3,275.71
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,162.12
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
8.1%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$143.02
Whitehorse Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Whitehorse offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Canadian cities, with moderate housing and transportation costs.

Dining out can be budget-friendly, especially at casual restaurants, while grocery prices vary significantly.

Utilities and internet services are on the higher side, which is typical for northern regions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Whitehorse provides a balanced cost of living with affordable housing options and reasonable dining expenses.

Potential residents should budget for higher utility costs and consider the variability in grocery prices when planning their finances.