Cost of Living in British Columbia: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

British Columbia (BC) is Canada’s westernmost province, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse climate. It caters to a variety of academic and career goals of international students. 

The cost of living in British Columbia is a little bit higher than in other cities because it ranked 2nd in the most expensive state in Canada and 6th best state to live in.

Students in British Columbia enjoy the benefit of a high quality of life and excellent educational opportunities, which makes it an attractive destination for scholars. If you are moving to here for higher studies and want to know more about the average cost of living in British Columbia, this blog is perfect for you. Make sure you read until the end to know more. 

Cost of Living in British Columbia Overview

The average cost of living in British Columbia for one person including housing rent according to the livingcost is around CAD 3096. If we consider the apartment rent it is around CAD 1,700 to CAD 2000. However, the living expenses in British Columbia can vary depending on the standard of living, region, and preference of things.

The cost of living in British Columbia includes some costs such as housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, entertainment, etc. Here, we have given the average cost of living in diverse categories for individuals looking to live in British Columbia. Please take a look at the overview:

Also read: Cost of Living in Madagascar: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in British Columbia

Accommodation is undoubtedly the most important thing you need to take into consideration while calculating the cost of living in British Columbia. However, this expense depends on the location, size and type of the room or apartment. A one-bedroom in the city centre area can cost around CAD 2002.

It is essential to carefully research and compare living options that meet your needs and fit according to your budget. For your convenience, we have put together some data on the average cost of housing of various flats located inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 2,002
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 3,843
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 1,717
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 3,020

Cost of a Utility in British Columbia 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in British Columbia could be around CAD 115. It depends on the use and size of the apartment. Budgeting for utility expenses is essential when planning your monthly cost of living in British Columbia as it is a primary part of it. An overview of the average cost of utility bills in British Columbia is given in the table below:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, etc	CAD 115
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	CAD 85

Cost of Grocery in British Columbia

The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in British Columbia as it is a daily expense to prepare food at your place. Your meal preferences are factors that can affect the price of groceries in British Columbia and its prices depend on where you shop, and the good grade of the products. 

The price of groceries in British Columbia is relatively cheap compared to many other major cities in Canada, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in British Columbia:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	CAD 2.97
1kg white Rice	CAD 6.06
500g Bread (White)	CAD 3.38
1kg Apples	CAD 5.59
1kg Oranges	CAD 4.92
1kg Banana	CAD 1.83
1kg Tomato	CAD 6.28
1kg Onion	CAD 3.92
1kg Potato	CAD 3.79
Lettuce (1 head)	CAD 2.85
1 litre Water bottle	CAD 1.59

Also read: Cost of Living in Indiana: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Restaurant Food Costs in British Columbia

The cost of eating out in British Columbia can vary according to the type of restaurant, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in British Columbia can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in British Columbia. Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in British Columbia:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Lunch Menu	CAD 20
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person	CAD 86
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	CAD  13.8
Cappuccino	CAD 5.31

Transportation costs in British Columbia

British Columbia has an extensive public transportation system, including City Ferries, Trams, GO Transit, Taxis & Shuttles, buses, metro, Freight rail, Regional bus service, Municipal bus service, Airport rail link, and Cycling. British Columbia has a reliable public bus system with stops spread throughout the city, including in Old Quebec and near major tourist attractions.

It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in British Columbia because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in British Columbia. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the British Columbia area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	CAD 120
Ticket for Local Public transport	CAD 3.32
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 8 km	CAD 22
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	CAD 1.83

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Miscellaneous Costs in British Columbia

In addition to the above categories of cost of living in British Columbia, charges such as a pair of dresses, movie tickets, small doctor’s appointments, etc. can also be considered and these costs fall under miscellaneous costs. Please see the table below for a list of the miscellaneous charges we offer.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	CAD 16.6
Pair of Jeans	CAD 76.5
Fitness Club	CAD 55.1
Brand Sneakers	CAD 76.5
Doctor’s visit	CAD 118

Cost of Living in British Columbia Compared to Other Cities

British Columbia is generally considered a relatively affordable country to live in compared to some cities in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in British Columbia to other cities, several factors come into play, including housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in British Columbia compares to other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Brampton, Halifax, Calgary, and Ottawa. We’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in British Columbia
Cost of Living in Toronto	CAD 1,512 (excluding rent)	Higher than British Columbia
Cost of Living in Vancouver	CAD 1561 (excluding rent)	Higher than British Columbia
Cost of Living in Calgary	CAD 1,590 (excluding rent)	Higher than British Columbia
Cost of Living in Brampton	CAD 2899 (including rent)	Higher than British Columbia
Cost of Living in Halifax	CAD 1,505 (excluding rent)	Higher than British Columbia
Cost of Living in Ottawa	CAD 1,516 (excluding rent)	Higher than British Columbia

Average Tuition Fees in British Columbia

Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average cost of tuition fees at universities in British Columbia. The average tuition fees in British Columbia reflect the city’s commitment to providing high-quality education across various levels and fields of study.  

Please note that tuition fees may change depending on the university you select, level of study and field of study. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected British Columbia universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
University of Toronto	CAD 27,598 – CAD 83,870
Canadore College	CAD 16,500
Lambton College	CAD 8,500 (per term)
Sheridan College	CAD 16,000
CDI College	CAD 197 to CAD 90,133

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FAQs on Cost of Living in British Columbia

So, this was all about the cost of living in British Columbia. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.