Cost of Living · Updated October 25, 2026 · 15 min read
Cost of Living in Vancouver (2026): Rent, Groceries, Transit and More
Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada to live in: a single renter needs about $3,754 a month before income tax, 6% more than Toronto and 21% more than Calgary. Rent explains almost all of it.
Take rent out and the gap closes: Vancouver's everyday costs for a single renter are 2% less than Toronto's, because transit, utilities and restaurants are cheaper there. This guide prices every part of life in Vancouver in October 2026, from groceries and gas to hotels and movie tickets, and sets each next to Toronto, Calgary, Victoria and Montreal.
Vancouver cost of living at a glance
How the other places compare with Vancouver, overall
Toronto
- Costs
- 3% higher
- Pay
- About the same
Calgary
- Costs
- 7% lower
- Pay
- 7% lower
Victoria
- Costs
- About the same
- Pay
- 6% lower
Montreal
- Costs
- 13% lower
- Pay
- 12% lower
Average gap from Vancouver across 27 price lines (rent, food, transport, bills, fun, childcare and tax), each counted equally, so it shows direction, not your own bill. Pay is the average of average earnings and net salary. Red means higher and green means lower for costs; for pay the colours are flipped, because earning more is the good outcome.
| Summary | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget (renter, before income tax) | |||||
| Single renter | $3,754 | $3,538 6% lower than Vancouver | $3,105 17% lower than Vancouver | $3,465 8% lower than Vancouver | $2,926 22% lower than Vancouver |
| Couple | $4,752 | $4,535 5% lower than Vancouver | $4,114 13% lower than Vancouver | $4,450 6% lower than Vancouver | $3,860 19% lower than Vancouver |
| Family of four (no childcare or car) | $6,040 | $5,512 9% lower than Vancouver | $5,031 17% lower than Vancouver | $5,805 4% lower than Vancouver | $4,608 24% lower than Vancouver |
| Housing | |||||
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,507 | $2,265 10% lower than Vancouver | $1,736 31% lower than Vancouver | $2,179 13% lower than Vancouver | $1,775 29% lower than Vancouver |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,154 | $2,029 6% lower than Vancouver | $1,438 33% lower than Vancouver | $1,853 14% lower than Vancouver | $1,375 36% lower than Vancouver |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,506 | $3,015 14% lower than Vancouver | $2,340 33% lower than Vancouver | $3,247 7% lower than Vancouver | $2,303 34% lower than Vancouver |
| Typical home price | $1,099,100 | $940,800 14% lower than Vancouver | $569,200 48% lower than Vancouver | $1,170,200 6% higher than Vancouver | $649,000 41% lower than Vancouver |
| Apartment price per sq ft, centre | $1,099 | $998 9% lower than Vancouver | $475 57% lower than Vancouver | $730 34% lower than Vancouver | $658 40% lower than Vancouver |
| Property tax rate | 0.31% | 0.77% 148% higher than Vancouver | 0.63% 103% higher than Vancouver | 0.48% 55% higher than Vancouver | 0.76% 145% higher than Vancouver |
| Food and drink | |||||
| Groceries, one adult (full cart) | $489 | $420 14% lower than Vancouver | $471 4% lower than Vancouver | $494 1% higher than Vancouver | $428 13% lower than Vancouver |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $27.50 10% higher than Vancouver | $26.50 6% higher than Vancouver |
| Dinner for two, mid-range | $100 | $110 10% higher than Vancouver | $99 1% lower than Vancouver | $100 | $102 2% higher than Vancouver |
| Pint of draught beer | $8.00 | $9.00 13% higher than Vancouver | $7.00 13% lower than Vancouver | $8.00 | $9.00 13% higher than Vancouver |
| Cappuccino | $5.60 | $5.70 2% higher than Vancouver | $5.30 5% lower than Vancouver | $6.12 9% higher than Vancouver | $5.45 3% lower than Vancouver |
| Transportation | |||||
| Monthly transit pass | $117 | $156 33% higher than Vancouver | $126 8% higher than Vancouver | $85 27% lower than Vancouver | $110 6% lower than Vancouver |
| Gasoline per litre | $2.00 | $1.76 12% lower than Vancouver | $1.69 16% lower than Vancouver | $1.97 2% lower than Vancouver | $1.89 6% lower than Vancouver |
| Car insurance, per year (midpoint of range) | $2,000 | $2,175 9% higher than Vancouver | $1,700 15% lower than Vancouver | $2,000 | $850 57% lower than Vancouver |
| Bills | |||||
| Utilities (915 sq ft) | $116 | $172 48% higher than Vancouver | $231 99% higher than Vancouver | $148 27% higher than Vancouver | $110 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Mobile plan | $52 | $46 12% lower than Vancouver | $54 4% higher than Vancouver | $62 20% higher than Vancouver | $49 7% lower than Vancouver |
| Home internet | $74 | $68 7% lower than Vancouver | $72 2% lower than Vancouver | $88 19% higher than Vancouver | $60 18% lower than Vancouver |
| Fun and travel | |||||
| Movie ticket | $17.50 | $18.00 3% higher than Vancouver | $20.00 14% higher than Vancouver | $15.00 14% lower than Vancouver | $16.00 9% lower than Vancouver |
| Gym membership | $56 | $52 8% lower than Vancouver | $70 26% higher than Vancouver | $58 4% higher than Vancouver | $43 23% lower than Vancouver |
| Night out for two | $151 | $164 9% higher than Vancouver | $153 1% higher than Vancouver | $146 3% lower than Vancouver | $152 1% higher than Vancouver |
| Hotel average daily rate | $284 | $261 8% lower than Vancouver | $188 34% lower than Vancouver | $244 14% lower than Vancouver | $234 18% lower than Vancouver |
| Family | |||||
| Regulated childcare, per child per day | $40.00 | $22.00 45% lower than Vancouver | $15.03 62% lower than Vancouver | $40.00 | $9.65 76% lower than Vancouver |
| Private preschool, per month | $1,500 | $1,051 30% lower than Vancouver | $779 48% lower than Vancouver | $1,238 17% lower than Vancouver | $723 52% lower than Vancouver |
| Pay and tax | |||||
| Average yearly earnings | $70,115 | $71,173 2% higher than Vancouver | $71,296 2% higher than Vancouver | $70,115 | $66,747 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Net salary per month (Numbeo) | $5,132 | $5,022 2% lower than Vancouver | $4,372 15% lower than Vancouver | $4,525 12% lower than Vancouver | $4,159 19% lower than Vancouver |
| Minimum wage per hour | $18.25 | $17.95 2% lower than Vancouver | $15.00 18% lower than Vancouver | $18.25 | $16.60 9% lower than Vancouver |
| Tax and payroll on $100,000 | $26,065 | $27,291 5% higher than Vancouver | $27,117 4% higher than Vancouver | $26,065 | $31,993 23% higher than Vancouver |
| Sales tax | 5% GST + 7% PST | 13% HST | 5% GST (no provincial sales tax) | 5% GST + 7% PST | 5% GST + 9.975% QST |
| Salary needed (single person) | |||||
| To break even, outside the centre | $56,000 | $54,000 4% lower than Vancouver | $46,000 18% lower than Vancouver | $51,000 9% lower than Vancouver | $43,000 23% lower than Vancouver |
| To live comfortably in the centre | $75,000 | $71,000 5% lower than Vancouver | $61,000 19% lower than Vancouver | $69,000 8% lower than Vancouver | $61,000 19% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo, 24-25 October 2026 (CAD). Budgets are modelled from those prices (see the monthly budget section), exclude income tax, and are for renters. Net salary is Numbeo’s reported average after tax, a sample average and not Statistics Canada data. Average earnings are Statistics Canada (March 2026), tax uses 2026 brackets, and salary needed comes from the model in the salary sections below. A dash means no comparable figure is published for that place. The ▲ and ▼ percentages show how much higher or lower each place is than Vancouver, the first column; for pay rows higher is better, for costs lower is better.
Ranking: nine Canadian cities, most to least expensive
| City | Single renter | 1 bed, centre | Groceries (staples) | Net salary | Left after budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver (this guide) | $3,754 | $2,507 | $228 | $5,132 | $1,378 |
| Toronto | $3,538 | $2,265 | $196 | $5,022 | $1,484 |
| Victoria | $3,465 | $2,179 | $231 | $4,525 | $1,060 |
| Halifax | $3,381 | $2,060 | $222 | $3,900 | $519 |
| Ottawa | $3,379 | $2,047 | $214 | $5,163 | $1,784 |
| Calgary | $3,105 | $1,736 | $220 | $4,372 | $1,267 |
| Hamilton | $3,023 | $1,778 | $189 | $4,274 | $1,251 |
| Edmonton | $2,960 | $1,539 | $201 | $4,855 | $1,895 |
| Montreal | $2,926 | $1,775 | $200 | $4,159 | $1,233 |
“Left after budget” is Numbeo’s average monthly net salary minus the modelled single-renter budget. It is a rough gauge of breathing room, not a savings rate, because averages hide who actually earns what.
What does a month cost in Vancouver?
A single renter needs about $3,754 a month in Vancouver before income tax, a couple about $4,752, and a family of four about $6,040. For a single renter that is 6% more than Toronto ($3,538). That is the most expensive of the nine Canadian cities we track for a single renter's monthly costs.
- Rent
- Groceries
- Utilities, phone, internet
- Transit
- Eating and drinking out
- Gym and movies
Built from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Excludes income tax, childcare, car costs, clothing, and travel. Hover or tap a bar for the line-by-line split.
- Single renter: 1 bedroom in the city centre, one transit pass, eating out about once a week plus coffees.
- Couple: 1 bedroom in the city centre, two transit passes, a few nights out a month.
- Family of four: 3 bedroom outside the centre, two adult passes, 2.7 adults' worth of groceries, no childcare or car.
Gasoline is the one everyday cost where Vancouver leads the country at $2.00 a litre, and the family budget is where the city's price shows most, since a three bedroom outside the centre is $3,506 a month.
Common monthly expenses in Vancouver
A single renter in Vancouver spends about $3,958 a month on the essentials, a couple about $5,120, and a family of four with one child in childcare about $7,479. Rent is 63% of the single budget, groceries 12%, and transport 3%.
| Monthly expense | Single | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $2,507 | $2,507 | $3,506 |
| Utilities, phone, internet | $242 | $294 | $324 |
| Groceries | $489 | $880 | $1,320 |
| Transit | $117 | $234 | $234 |
| Eating and drinking out | $291 | $620 | $404 |
| Gym and movies | $108 | $217 | $252 |
| Clothing and shoes | $44 | $88 | $131 |
| Dental, vision, prescriptions | $60 | $120 | $180 |
| Household, subscriptions, personal care | $100 | $160 | $260 |
| Childcare | — | — | $868 |
| Total per month | $3,958 | $5,120 | $7,479 |
| Salary needed to break even | $62,000 | $76,000 | $115,000 |
Single and couple: one-bedroom in the city centre, transit passes. Family: three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare at about $40.00 a day (our estimate), transit passes. Rent, groceries, utilities, transit, dining and leisure come from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Clothing (two pairs of jeans, two dresses or tops, running shoes and business shoes a year per adult), health costs ($60 an adult a month for dental, vision and prescriptions), and household items ($100 to $260) are our assumptions. “Salary needed to break even” is the gross pay whose after-tax income equals the total, with nothing saved.
See also: monthly expenses in Montreal.
Rent in Vancouver
A one bedroom in the city centre averages $2,507 a month in Vancouver, 11% more than Toronto ($2,265). Outside the centre it drops to $2,154, and a three bedroom outside the centre is $3,506. That is the most expensive of the nine Canadian cities we track for city-centre rent.
| Monthly rent | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $2,507 | $2,265 10% lower than Vancouver | $1,736 31% lower than Vancouver | $2,179 13% lower than Vancouver | $1,775 29% lower than Vancouver |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $2,154 | $2,029 6% lower than Vancouver | $1,438 33% lower than Vancouver | $1,853 14% lower than Vancouver | $1,375 36% lower than Vancouver |
| 3 bedroom, city centre | $4,442 | $3,842 13% lower than Vancouver | $2,710 39% lower than Vancouver | $3,852 13% lower than Vancouver | $3,054 31% lower than Vancouver |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $3,506 | $3,015 14% lower than Vancouver | $2,340 33% lower than Vancouver | $3,247 7% lower than Vancouver | $2,303 34% lower than Vancouver |
| Average asking rent, 1 bed (market data) | $2,600 | $2,400 8% lower than Vancouver | $1,580 39% lower than Vancouver | $1,850 29% lower than Vancouver | $1,600 38% lower than Vancouver |
| Average asking rent, 2 bed (market data) | $3,150 | $2,700 14% lower than Vancouver | $1,900 40% lower than Vancouver | $2,120 33% lower than Vancouver | $2,050 35% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
City-centre and outside-centre rents are Numbeo samples. The “market data” rows are average asking rents from this site’s city comparison data (Rentals.ca and CMHC-based). Asking rents run higher than what sitting tenants pay.
Vancouver's rental market is the tightest of the big five, and the Numbeo city-centre price of $2,507 for a one bedroom is the highest we track. The average asking rent in this site's market data is $2,600 for a one bedroom, which is lower because it blends older, stabilised units with new listings.
A single person needs about $100,000 a year before tax to keep a city-centre one bedroom at the usual 30% of gross pay. That is why roommates, laneway suites and Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey are the practical answer for many newcomers.
British Columbia caps annual rent increases on sitting tenants (2.3% for 2026) but not on a new tenant's starting rent, so the number you sign at is always the market rate.
See also: rent in Toronto.
Buying a home in Vancouver
The typical Vancouver home is about $1,099,100 (benchmark, Greater Vancouver Realtors, June 2026). Apartments sell for about $1,099 a square foot in the centre of Vancouver, 10% more than Toronto ($998).
| Buying | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | $1,099,100 | $940,800 14% lower than Vancouver | $569,200 48% lower than Vancouver | $1,170,200 6% higher than Vancouver | $649,000 41% lower than Vancouver |
| Detached | $1,990,000 | $1,360,000 32% lower than Vancouver | $743,900 63% lower than Vancouver | $1,301,800 35% lower than Vancouver | $649,000 67% lower than Vancouver |
| Condo apartment | $771,000 | $631,000 18% lower than Vancouver | $299,000 61% lower than Vancouver | $553,600 28% lower than Vancouver | $435,000 44% lower than Vancouver |
| Price per sq ft, apartment in centre | $1,099 | $998 9% lower than Vancouver | $475 57% lower than Vancouver | $730 34% lower than Vancouver | $658 40% lower than Vancouver |
| Price per sq ft, apartment outside centre | $853 | $882 3% higher than Vancouver | $419 51% lower than Vancouver | $588 31% lower than Vancouver | $493 42% lower than Vancouver |
| Property tax rate | 0.31% | 0.77% 148% higher than Vancouver | 0.63% 103% higher than Vancouver | 0.48% 55% higher than Vancouver | 0.76% 145% higher than Vancouver |
| Annual tax on a typical home | $3,407 | $7,244 113% higher than Vancouver | $3,586 5% higher than Vancouver | $5,617 65% higher than Vancouver | $4,932 45% higher than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Home prices are MLS board figures, each on the basis shown in our city comparison tool (benchmark, median or average, so compare within a row with care). Price per square foot is Numbeo’s apartment figure.
Vancouver's property tax is the lowest of the large cities at 0.31% of value, which flatters the monthly cost of ownership but does nothing for the purchase price. Add BC's property transfer tax (1% on the first $200,000, 2% to $2 million, 3% above), and the Empty Homes Tax if the home sits vacant.
For a full price-and-neighbourhood breakdown, see the Vancouver vs Toronto real estate comparison and the best neighbourhoods in Vancouver.
See also: home prices in Calgary.
Groceries in Vancouver
A month of staples for one adult costs about $228 in Vancouver, 17% more than Toronto ($196). Scaled to a real shopping cart that is nearer $489 a month for one adult. That is second most expensive of nine Canadian cities for groceries.
| Item | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | $3.12 | $3.50 12% higher than Vancouver | $2.88 8% lower than Vancouver | $3.85 23% higher than Vancouver | $3.20 3% higher than Vancouver |
| White bread (1 lb loaf) | $3.32 | $3.50 5% higher than Vancouver | $3.49 5% higher than Vancouver | $3.84 16% higher than Vancouver | $3.99 20% higher than Vancouver |
| White rice (1 lb) | $2.90 | $1.41 51% lower than Vancouver | $3.55 22% higher than Vancouver | $2.61 10% lower than Vancouver | $2.05 29% lower than Vancouver |
| Eggs (dozen) | $5.82 | $5.01 14% lower than Vancouver | $5.27 9% lower than Vancouver | $5.86 1% higher than Vancouver | $5.12 12% lower than Vancouver |
| Cheese (1 lb) | $7.69 | $5.98 22% lower than Vancouver | $7.29 5% lower than Vancouver | $7.69 | $8.40 9% higher than Vancouver |
| Chicken fillets (1 lb) | $8.46 | $7.31 14% lower than Vancouver | $7.29 14% lower than Vancouver | $8.21 3% lower than Vancouver | $7.41 12% lower than Vancouver |
| Beef (1 lb) | $12.82 | $9.34 27% lower than Vancouver | $11.77 8% lower than Vancouver | $9.32 27% lower than Vancouver | $8.84 31% lower than Vancouver |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.58 | $2.35 9% lower than Vancouver | $3.04 18% higher than Vancouver | $2.55 1% lower than Vancouver | $2.05 21% lower than Vancouver |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.88 | $0.76 14% lower than Vancouver | $0.91 3% higher than Vancouver | $0.91 3% higher than Vancouver | $0.95 8% higher than Vancouver |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.49 | $2.25 10% lower than Vancouver | $2.70 8% higher than Vancouver | $2.55 2% higher than Vancouver | $2.19 12% lower than Vancouver |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.55 | $2.67 5% higher than Vancouver | $2.50 2% lower than Vancouver | $2.66 4% higher than Vancouver | $1.98 22% lower than Vancouver |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.73 | $1.19 31% lower than Vancouver | $1.75 1% higher than Vancouver | $2.23 29% higher than Vancouver | $1.22 29% lower than Vancouver |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.84 | $1.05 43% lower than Vancouver | $1.73 6% lower than Vancouver | $1.86 1% higher than Vancouver | $1.16 37% lower than Vancouver |
| Lettuce (head) | $3.61 | $3.18 12% lower than Vancouver | $3.65 1% higher than Vancouver | $4.46 24% higher than Vancouver | $3.44 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Staples basket, one adult a month | $228 | $196 14% lower than Vancouver | $220 4% lower than Vancouver | $231 1% higher than Vancouver | $200 13% lower than Vancouver |
| Typical full grocery bill, one adult (basket x 2.14) | $489 | $420 14% lower than Vancouver | $471 4% lower than Vancouver | $494 1% higher than Vancouver | $428 13% lower than Vancouver |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | $20.00 | $20.00 | $22.00 10% higher than Vancouver | $25.00 25% higher than Vancouver | $15.00 25% lower than Vancouver |
| Domestic beer, store bought 16.9 oz | $3.71 | $3.09 17% lower than Vancouver | $3.42 8% lower than Vancouver | $5.52 49% higher than Vancouver | $3.21 13% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo supermarket prices, October 2026. The staples basket is the quantity of each item above a single adult eats in a month. Staples are about half of a real cart, so the full grocery bill scales the basket by 2.14, calibrated to the $420 Toronto single-adult figure used on our city comparison guides.
Vancouver groceries cost 17% more than Toronto on the staples basket. The biggest gaps are beef ($12.82 a pound against $9.34), rice and eggs, while milk is cheaper.
Farmers' markets, Asian supermarkets in Richmond and Burnaby, and Costco shave the bill, which is why households who shop around often spend less than the sample suggests.
See also: grocery prices in Victoria.
Transportation in Vancouver
A monthly transit pass is $117 in Vancouver and gasoline is $2.00 a litre. Toronto is $156 for a pass and $1.76 a litre.
| Getting around | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single transit fare | $3.50 | $3.35 4% lower than Vancouver | $4.00 14% higher than Vancouver | $3.00 14% lower than Vancouver | $3.75 7% higher than Vancouver |
| Monthly pass | $117.20 | $156.00 33% higher than Vancouver | $126.00 8% higher than Vancouver | $85.00 27% lower than Vancouver | $110.00 6% lower than Vancouver |
| Taxi start | $3.80 | $4.25 12% higher than Vancouver | $4.50 18% higher than Vancouver | $3.85 1% higher than Vancouver | $4.50 18% higher than Vancouver |
| Taxi per mile | $3.67 | $2.82 23% lower than Vancouver | $3.09 16% lower than Vancouver | $3.60 2% lower than Vancouver | $3.30 10% lower than Vancouver |
| Gasoline per litre | $2.00 | $1.76 12% lower than Vancouver | $1.69 16% lower than Vancouver | $1.97 2% lower than Vancouver | $1.89 6% lower than Vancouver |
| New VW Golf or similar | $39,000 | $37,000 5% lower than Vancouver | $39,580 1% higher than Vancouver | $39,290 1% higher than Vancouver | $39,370 1% higher than Vancouver |
| New Toyota Corolla or similar | $30,009 | $30,251 1% higher than Vancouver | $29,685 1% lower than Vancouver | $29,589 1% lower than Vancouver | $29,935 |
| Driving 1,000 km a month: fuel plus insurance | $347 | $339 2% lower than Vancouver | $294 15% lower than Vancouver | $344 1% lower than Vancouver | $241 31% lower than Vancouver |
| Typical annual car insurance (published range; % uses the midpoint) | $1,800 to $2,200 | $1,700 to $2,650 9% higher than Vancouver | $1,500 to $1,900 15% lower than Vancouver | $1,800 to $2,200 | $700 to $1,000 57% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo transport prices. Driving cost assumes 1,000 km a month at 9 L/100 km plus the midpoint of the typical annual insurance range, which is published as a range because sources disagree (WealthNorth, Rates.ca and others, 2025-2026) and depends on driver, vehicle and postal code. Excludes the car payment, parking and maintenance.
TransLink's pass is $117 against Toronto's $156, with SkyTrain, buses and SeaBus on one fare. If you can live and work on the SkyTrain line, you can skip the car.
If you drive, ICBC is a public insurer and BC premiums sit mid-range nationally, but gas is the highest in Canada and downtown parking is expensive.
See also: transportation costs in Montreal.
Restaurants, coffee and drinks in Vancouver
An inexpensive restaurant meal is $25.00 and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant is $100 in Vancouver, against $25.00 and $110 in Toronto. A pint is $8.00 and a cappuccino $5.60.
| Eating and drinking out | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 | $27.50 10% higher than Vancouver | $26.50 6% higher than Vancouver |
| Mid-range dinner for two, three courses | $100.00 | $110.00 10% higher than Vancouver | $99.01 1% lower than Vancouver | $100.00 | $102.00 2% higher than Vancouver |
| Fast-food combo | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.50 3% higher than Vancouver | $15.00 |
| Pint of domestic draught | $8.00 | $9.00 13% higher than Vancouver | $7.00 13% lower than Vancouver | $8.00 | $9.00 13% higher than Vancouver |
| Imported beer, 12 oz | $9.00 | $10.00 11% higher than Vancouver | $8.00 11% lower than Vancouver | $9.50 6% higher than Vancouver | $10.00 11% higher than Vancouver |
| Cappuccino | $5.60 | $5.70 2% higher than Vancouver | $5.30 5% lower than Vancouver | $6.12 9% higher than Vancouver | $5.45 3% lower than Vancouver |
| Soft drink, 12 oz | $2.97 | $2.94 1% lower than Vancouver | $2.78 6% lower than Vancouver | $3.24 9% higher than Vancouver | $2.80 6% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo restaurant prices before tax and tip. Add provincial sales tax (5% to 15%) and a 15% to 20% tip on a sit-down meal.
Vancouver dining is cheaper than Toronto's by the Numbeo sample (dinner for two $100 against $110), with a pint at $8.00 against $9.00. BC adds 10% PST on liquor and 7% on many restaurant bills, so the menu price understates the final cheque.
See also: restaurant prices in Ontario.
Utilities, phone and internet in Vancouver
Electricity, heat and water for a 915 sq ft apartment, a mobile plan and home internet come to $242 a month in Vancouver, 15% less than Toronto ($286). That is eighth most expensive of nine Canadian cities for monthly bills.
| Monthly bills | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, heat, water, garbage (915 sq ft) | $116.32 | $171.96 48% higher than Vancouver | $231.39 99% higher than Vancouver | $147.57 27% higher than Vancouver | $110.17 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Mobile plan, 10GB or more | $52.26 | $46.20 12% lower than Vancouver | $54.42 4% higher than Vancouver | $62.48 20% higher than Vancouver | $48.75 7% lower than Vancouver |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps or more | $73.59 | $68.31 7% lower than Vancouver | $72.09 2% lower than Vancouver | $87.51 19% higher than Vancouver | $60.45 18% lower than Vancouver |
| Total | $242.17 | $286.47 18% higher than Vancouver | $357.90 48% higher than Vancouver | $297.56 23% higher than Vancouver | $219.37 9% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Vancouver's utilities are among the cheapest in Canada at $116 a month, helped by BC Hydro and a mild climate that needs little heating or cooling. Internet at $74 and a mobile plan at $52 are close to the national norm.
See also: utility bills in Alberta.
Hotels and travel in Vancouver
Vancouver is the priciest hotel market among the big five: Avison Young put its 2025 average daily rate at $284, and CoStar reported September 2026 up 11.5% year over year at $373. Single World Cup match days in June 2026 pushed one-day rates up 54% in CoStar's data, so event weekends cost far more.
| Hotels | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily rate, latest published | $284 | $261 8% lower than Vancouver | $188 34% lower than Vancouver | $244 14% lower than Vancouver | $234 18% lower than Vancouver |
| Two-night weekend stay | $568 | $522 8% lower than Vancouver | $375 34% lower than Vancouver | $488 14% lower than Vancouver | $468 18% lower than Vancouver |
| Basis | 2025 full year, Avison Young (September 2026 monthly: $373, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $308, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young | April 2025 STR (August 2025 peak: $396) | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $273, CoStar) |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average daily rate (ADR) is what hotels actually collect per occupied room across the whole market, not the cheapest listing, and the periods differ by city because published data does. Sources: Avison Young 2025 market review, CoStar (formerly STR) monthly releases, Destination Greater Victoria. Do not compare a 2025 average with a 2026 peak month.
Shoulder seasons (October to April, outside ski weekends) are the cheapest time to book. Cruise-ship season and summer weekends are the most expensive, and Whistler pricing runs separately.
See also: hotel rates in Canada.
Movies, entertainment and things to do in Vancouver
A new-release movie ticket is $17.50 in Vancouver, a gym membership $56 a month, and a night out for two (dinner, two movies, two pints) about $151, compared with $164 in Toronto.
| Leisure and shopping | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinema ticket, new release | $17.50 | $18.00 3% higher than Vancouver | $20.00 14% higher than Vancouver | $15.00 14% lower than Vancouver | $16.00 9% lower than Vancouver |
| Monthly gym membership | $55.93 | $51.59 8% lower than Vancouver | $70.42 26% higher than Vancouver | $58.33 4% higher than Vancouver | $42.89 23% lower than Vancouver |
| Tennis court, 1 hour on a weekend | $17.59 | $33.20 89% higher than Vancouver | $25.88 47% higher than Vancouver | $24.25 38% higher than Vancouver | $27.44 56% higher than Vancouver |
| Night out: dinner for two, two movie tickets, two pints | $151 | $164 9% higher than Vancouver | $153 1% higher than Vancouver | $146 3% lower than Vancouver | $152 1% higher than Vancouver |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar) | $81.66 | $74.21 9% lower than Vancouver | $82.13 1% higher than Vancouver | $77.30 5% lower than Vancouver | $82.00 |
| Summer dress, chain store | $46.87 | $56.33 20% higher than Vancouver | $56.38 20% higher than Vancouver | $61.43 31% higher than Vancouver | $54.37 16% higher than Vancouver |
| Nike running shoes | $134.00 | $139.86 4% higher than Vancouver | $129.41 3% lower than Vancouver | $129.20 4% lower than Vancouver | $131.94 2% lower than Vancouver |
| Men's leather business shoes | $134.65 | $174.28 29% higher than Vancouver | $157.08 17% higher than Vancouver | $148.91 11% higher than Vancouver | $153.85 14% higher than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo prices. Cinema is a standard adult seat for an international release; premium and online booking fees are extra. Prices for museums, parks, festivals and sport vary by season and event, so check the venue before you budget a day out.
Things to do in Vancouver
- Stanley Park and the 9 km seawall are free, as are Kitsilano, English Bay and Jericho beaches.
- Granville Island Public Market for lunch, then the False Creek water taxis.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and Lynn Canyon (free) on the North Shore.
- Skiing and snowboarding at Cypress, Grouse and Seymour, or Whistler about two hours north.
- Science World, the Vancouver Aquarium and the Vancouver Art Gallery for rainy days.
- Canucks at Rogers Arena, BC Lions and Whitecaps FC at BC Place.
- Gastown, Commercial Drive and Main Street for restaurants, and Richmond for night markets and Chinese food.
- BC Ferries to the Gulf Islands, Victoria or Tofino for weekend trips.
Vancouver's best entertainment is outdoors and cheap. A movie ticket at $17.50 is on par with Toronto, a gym at $56 is mid-pack, and a tennis court at $17.59 an hour is the cheapest of the big cities.
See also: movie and entertainment prices in Toronto.
Childcare, schools and raising a family in Vancouver
BC infant fees range from $28 a day in Kelowna to $52 in Richmond in the CCPA 2026 survey. Private full-day preschool averages $1,500 a month in Vancouver in Numbeo's sample, versus $1,051 in Toronto; most families pay far less through regulated childcare.
| Family costs | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private full-day preschool, monthly | $1,500 | $1,051 30% lower than Vancouver | $779 48% lower than Vancouver | $1,238 17% lower than Vancouver | $723 52% lower than Vancouver |
| International primary school, yearly | $28,653 | $33,506 17% higher than Vancouver | $22,451 22% lower than Vancouver | $32,578 14% higher than Vancouver | $22,899 20% lower than Vancouver |
| 3 bedroom outside the centre, monthly | $3,506 | $3,015 14% lower than Vancouver | $2,340 33% lower than Vancouver | $3,247 7% lower than Vancouver | $2,303 34% lower than Vancouver |
| Family of four, monthly budget (no childcare or car) | $6,040 | $5,512 9% lower than Vancouver | $5,031 17% lower than Vancouver | $5,805 4% lower than Vancouver | $4,608 24% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Private preschool and school fees are Numbeo samples. Most Canadian families use regulated childcare, whose fees are set by the province and are far lower than private preschool. Regulated fees: CCPA, The $10-a-day divide: child care fees in Canada in 2026.
BC is rolling out $10-a-day childcare spaces, but supply is limited and most families still pay market fees at licensed centres. The CCPA's 2026 survey found BC's infant fees the highest in the country (from $28 a day in Kelowna to $52 in Richmond), so add this to the family budget above.
See also: childcare costs in Calgary.
Income tax, sales tax and take-home pay in Vancouver
On a $100,000 salary a British Columbia resident pays about $20,295 in federal and provincial income tax (20.3%), plus roughly $5,770 in CPP and EI, for take-home near $73,935.
| Salary | British Columbia | Ontario | Alberta | Quebec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax on $60,000 | $9,015 (15.0%) | $9,417 (15.7%) | $9,171 (15.3%) | $11,200 (18.7%) |
| Income tax on $100,000 | $20,295 (20.3%) | $21,521 (21.5%) | $21,347 (21.3%) | $25,647 (25.6%) |
| Income tax on $150,000 | $38,433 (25.6%) | $41,626 (27.8%) | $38,410 (25.6%) | $47,596 (31.7%) |
| Take-home on $100,000 after income tax, CPP and EI | $73,935 | $72,709 | $72,883 | QPP and QPIP differ |
| Sales tax | 5% GST + 7% PST | 13% HST | 5% GST only | 5% GST + 9.975% QST |
2026 federal and provincial brackets, basic personal amount only, single filer on employment income. Ontario includes the surtax and Ontario Health Premium; Quebec includes the 16.5% federal abatement. CPP and EI are approximated at 2026 rates ($5,770 at $100,000) and are not deducted from the percentages. Quebec uses QPP and QPIP instead, so its take-home is not shown. Sources: CRA, KPMG, TaxTips.ca.
BC's PST (7%) applies to most goods but not groceries or children's clothing. Between PST and 5% GST, a typical purchase carries 12% tax, against Toronto's 13% HST and Calgary's 5%.
BC's top rates start above $265,545, so for most earners the tax difference with Ontario is small; the cost difference is housing.
See also: income tax in Victoria.
Average salary and minimum wage in Vancouver
The average British Columbia employee earned about $70,115 a year ($1,348.36 a week) in March 2026, and the minimum wage is $18.25 an hour (since June 1, 2026), or $37,960 a year full-time. After tax that minimum-wage worker keeps about $2,575 a month, against $3,605 for a modelled single budget even outside the centre, a shortfall of $1,030.
| Earnings | Vancouver | Toronto | Calgary | Victoria | Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings (province, March 2026) | $1,348.36 | $1,368.71 2% higher than Vancouver | $1,371.07 2% higher than Vancouver | $1,348.36 | $1,283.60 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Average yearly earnings (weekly x 52) | $70,115 | $71,173 2% higher than Vancouver | $71,296 2% higher than Vancouver | $70,115 | $66,747 5% lower than Vancouver |
| Average monthly net pay reported by Numbeo | $5,132 | $5,022 2% lower than Vancouver | $4,372 15% lower than Vancouver | $4,525 12% lower than Vancouver | $4,159 19% lower than Vancouver |
| Minimum wage per hour | $18.25 | $17.95 2% lower than Vancouver | $15.00 18% lower than Vancouver | $18.25 | $16.60 9% lower than Vancouver |
| Full-time minimum wage, gross a year (2,080 hours) | $37,960 | $37,336 2% lower than Vancouver | $31,200 18% lower than Vancouver | $37,960 | $34,528 9% lower than Vancouver |
| Hours of minimum-wage work to pay a city-centre 1 bedroom | 137 hours | 126 hours 8% lower than Vancouver | 116 hours 16% lower than Vancouver | 119 hours 13% lower than Vancouver | 107 hours 22% lower than Vancouver |
| Full-time minimum wage, take-home a month | $2,575 | $2,515 2% lower than Vancouver | $2,192 15% lower than Vancouver | $2,575 | $2,302 11% lower than Vancouver |
Percentages show the gap from Vancouver: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average weekly earnings: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll and Hours, March 2026 (all employees, including overtime, seasonally adjusted). These are means, so they run above what a typical worker earns; Statistics Canada’s city-level median is lower than the provincial mean. Minimum wages are the general adult rates in force on October 25, 2026 (Ontario $17.95 from October 1; verify before payroll decisions). The US and Australian minimums are converted at C$1 = US$0.702 and A$1.011; US states and some cities set higher rates. “Numbeo net pay” is a crowd-sourced sample.
See also: wages and minimum wage in Ontario.
Can you live in Vancouver on your salary?
On $60,000 a year a single person in Vancouver takes home about $3,887 a month. A city-centre one bedroom puts the modelled budget at $3,958, which leaves -$71 (not enough). Moving outside the centre leaves $282 (manageable). Adjust the calculator below to your own income, household and choices.
Household
Where you live
Getting around
Enter income as
Not enough in Vancouver
Take-home pay does not cover this budget. You would need to cut costs, share housing or earn more. After tax you keep about $3,887 a month against a modelled budget of $3,958, which leaves a shortfall of $71.
Take-home pay
$3,887/mo
$9,015 income tax and $4,340 payroll deductions a year
Monthly budget
$3,958/mo
Rent, bills, food, transport, fun, family
Shortfall
$71/mo
Before saving, debt payments and travel
Where the money goes
- Rent$2,507
- Utilities, phone, internet$242
- Groceries$489
- Transit$117
- Eating and drinking out$291
- Gym and movies$108
- Clothing and shoes$44
- Dental, vision, prescriptions$60
- Household, subscriptions, personal care$100
Rent is 50% of gross income here, above the 30% guideline lenders and landlords use. To keep 15% of take-home after this budget in Vancouver you would need roughly $75,000 a year.
How this works: take-home uses 2026 federal and provincial income tax plus CPP and EI (Quebec uses QPP and QPIP; the US figure adds Social Security, Medicare and a 4% state tax; Australia adds the Medicare levy). Couples and families are two equal earners. Expenses use October 2026 Numbeo prices with our assumptions for clothing, health costs ($60 an adult), household items, and a car financed over five years at 6%. It ignores the Canada Child Benefit, GST credit, RRSP deductions and employer benefits, so real take-home may be higher.
What each salary leaves you in Vancouver
| Gross income | Take-home (single, monthly) | Single left over | Couple left over | Family left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | $2,698 | -$1,260 (Not enough) | -$2,151 (Not enough) | -$4,510 (Not enough) |
| $50,000 a year | $3,305 | -$653 (Not enough) | -$1,544 (Not enough) | -$3,903 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | $3,887 | -$71 (Not enough) | -$937 (Not enough) | -$3,296 (Not enough) |
| $75,000 a year | $4,699 | $741 (Comfortable) | -$27 (Not enough) | -$2,386 (Not enough) |
| $100,000 a year | $6,161 | $2,203 (Comfortable) | $1,490 (Comfortable) | -$869 (Not enough) |
| $150,000 a year | $8,816 | $4,858 (Comfortable) | $4,278 (Comfortable) | $1,919 (Comfortable) |
Left over is monthly take-home minus the modelled budget, before saving, debt payments and travel. Single: one-bedroom in the city centre. Couple: the figure is household income from two equal earners, one-bedroom in the centre. Family: household income from two earners, three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare. Everyone uses transit.
Can you live on $3,000 a month in Vancouver?
Most searches for a monthly figure mean pay after tax. The table converts each monthly take-home into the gross salary that produces it in Vancouver, then shows what a single person has left after rent in the centre or outside it.
| Monthly take-home | Gross salary needed | Left over, outside centre | Left over, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 a month | $36,732 | -$1,105 (Not enough) | -$1,458 (Not enough) |
| $3,000 a month | $44,972 | -$605 (Not enough) | -$958 (Not enough) |
| $3,500 a month | $53,296 | -$105 (Not enough) | -$458 (Not enough) |
| $4,000 a month | $62,110 | $395 (Manageable) | $42 (Very tight) |
| $5,000 a month | $80,331 | $1,395 (Comfortable) | $1,042 (Comfortable) |
See also: what a salary buys in Alberta.
What salary do you need to live in Vancouver?
A single person in Vancouver needs about $56,000 a year to break even outside the centre and about $75,000 to rent in the city centre and still keep 15% of take-home. A couple needs $91,000 in household income and a family of four $140,000.
| Gross salary needed | Vancouver |
|---|---|
| Single, bare minimum (outside the centre, transit, break even) | $56,000 |
| Single, comfortable (city centre, transit, 15% left) | $75,000 |
| Single with a car (outside the centre, 15% left) | $86,000 |
| Couple, comfortable (household income, centre, transit, 15% left) | $91,000 |
| Family of four, comfortable (household income, outside the centre, one child in childcare, 15% left) | $140,000 |
| Rent at 30% of gross pay (single, centre one-bedroom) | $101,000 |
Gross pay before tax, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, from the same model as the calculator. “Comfortable” means 15% of after-tax income remains after the budget for saving, debt and travel. Couples and families assume two equal earners. A car adds a loan on a new compact (10% down, 6%, five years), fuel for 1,000 km a month, insurance and upkeep.
See also: salary needed in Canada.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Vancouver?
$100,000 is about 143% of the british columbia average of $70,115, which makes it above average in Vancouver. A single person renting in the city centre on $100,000 keeps about $6,161 a month after tax and has $2,203 left over after the modelled budget (comfortable).
| Salary | Versus the british columbia average | How it ranks | Single left over (centre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | 57% of average | Below average | -$1,260 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | 86% of average | Around average | -$71 (Not enough) |
| $75,000 a year | 107% of average | Around average | $741 (Comfortable) |
| $100,000 a year | 143% of average | Above average | $2,203 (Comfortable) |
| $150,000 a year | 214% of average | High | $4,858 (Comfortable) |
| $200,000 a year | 285% of average | Very high | $7,247 (Comfortable) |
The average is a mean from Statistics Canada (provinces) or implied by Numbeo’s net pay (countries), so a typical worker earns less than it. A salary that is “good” against the average can still be tight for one person who rents downtown or for a family on a single income; use the calculator above for your own situation.
See also: salary benchmarks in Toronto.
Why Vancouver costs what it does
- Geography: the city is hemmed in by mountains, ocean and the US border, so land supply is limited.
- Demand: immigration, a strong film and tech sector, and a Pacific climate keep demand high.
- Rent control applies to sitting tenants only, so market resets are steep when a unit turns over.
- Gas is the highest in Canada, with fuel standards and refinery capacity in the mix.
- Offsets: very low property tax, cheap utilities and a good transit pass.
Is Vancouver right for your budget?
It suits you if
- You earn above the local average (Numbeo reports about $5,100 net a month) and can share housing or live in Burnaby or New West.
- You can live without a car and use the SkyTrain.
- You value mountains, ocean and mild winters over square footage.
Think twice if
- You need three bedrooms on a median income.
- You are comparing salaries across provinces: Vancouver pay is not enough higher than Calgary or Toronto to cover the rent gap.
- You drive a lot, since gas and insurance add up.
The bottom line
Vancouver is worth its price if you want its outdoors and can afford the rent; it is not a cheap city with a nice view.
Everything except rent is competitive with the rest of the country, and some of it (transit, utilities, restaurants) beats Toronto. If you can solve housing, with a roommate, a partner's income or a suburb on the SkyTrain, Vancouver's monthly costs are manageable.
If you cannot, Calgary or Victoria deliver much of the lifestyle for less.