Yellowknife, the capital of Canada's Northwest Territories, is known for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living in Yellowknife is crucial for anyone considering moving to or living in this unique city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Yellowknife, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $17.88 on average, with a range between $14.3 and $34.54.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $101.18, with prices ranging from $85.81 to $116.56.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $9.11, with a range between $7.87 and $10.35.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer averages $5.36, imported beer $7.15, cappuccino $3.75, and Coke/Pepsi $2.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.42 and $4.65 per liter, averaging $2.4.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2 and $3.93, with an average price of $3.13.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2.07 to $4.28, averaging $3.45.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $4.29 to $5.72 per kg, while oranges range from $2.86 to $7.87 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.79 and $5.72 per kg, and lettuce costs $2.85 to $4.28 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $2.15 and $2.86, with a monthly pass priced at $53.63.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.05 and $1.35 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.22, with a cost of $1.43 to $2.86 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1358.67 to $1787.72, averaging $1501.69.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1251.4 to $1644.7, averaging $1492.75.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2145.26 to $3432.42, averaging $2621.99.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1716.21 to $2860.35, averaging $2240.61.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $3074.88.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $2860.35.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $143.02 and $347.33, averaging $245.17.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $107.23 to $153.03, with an average cost of $116.36.
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 26 user contributions, as of the most recent update in October, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$17.88
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$101.18
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$9.11
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.36
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.15
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.75
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$2.40
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.13
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.45
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.32
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$14.30
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.29
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.44
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$17.16
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.28
Apples (1kg)
$5.15
Oranges (1kg)
$5.63
Potato (1kg)
$3.81
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.33
Rice (white), (1kg)
$4.72
Tomato (1kg)
$7.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.86
Onion (1kg)
$3.40
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$14.72
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.15
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.63
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$24,297.27
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.22
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.15
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$20,048.88
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,501.69
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,492.75
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,621.99
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,240.61
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$245.17
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$116.36
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$73.65
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$100.11
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$0.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$9.30
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.47
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$120.85
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$57.20
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$3,074.88
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$2,860.35
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,932.98
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
7.5%
Yellowknife Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Yellowknife offers a unique living experience with its natural beauty and community spirit. However, the cost of living can be relatively high, especially in terms of housing and utilities.

Dining out can be expensive, but there are affordable options available. Transportation costs are moderate, with public transport and fuel prices being reasonable.

Grocery prices vary, with some items like milk and fresh produce being on the higher side. It's advisable to budget carefully and explore local markets for better deals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Yellowknife presents a mixed cost of living scenario. While some expenses like dining and groceries can be high, the city's unique charm and lifestyle opportunities make it an attractive place to live.

Prospective residents should weigh the costs against the benefits of living in such a vibrant and naturally beautiful location. Careful budgeting and exploring cost-saving options can help manage expenses effectively.

Yellowknife

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Yellowknife
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