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Since 2011, approximately 50,000 people have moved to Surrey, British Columbia, with the hopes of having a fantastic experience. In fact, with a current population of around 517,887, it is on track to overtake Vancouver as the province’s largest city. Part of this rise is due to Surrey’s reduced cost of living compared to the cost of living in Vancouver. This allows for a better lifestyle without significantly increasing revenue. Read this detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Surrey, British Columbia and some tips before moving to the city.
Must Read: Cost of Living in Canada: A Guide
This Blog Includes:
Why Choose Surrey to Study Abroad?
Surrey, Canada’s first kabaddi stadium, has seen an increase in international students from India over the last five years. Let me decode some of the reasons why you should study in Surrey:
- One of the most populous cities- Surrey, the third largest city in British Columbia, provides international students with a plethora of educational and job options. It is also known as the fastest-expanding city in Canada.
- Universities with a High Ranking– Some of Surrey’s greatest universities, like as Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen University, have received high global rankings from internationally famous rating organizations such as THE World University Rankings and QS World University Rankings.
- Excellent Job Opportunities– Surrey serves as a gateway to both Vancouver and the United States, providing international students with a wide range of professional prospects and options.
- Preferred by International Students: Canada is a popular study-abroad destination for international students, and Surrey, as part of the Canadian education system, is one of the top five locations for international students from around the world.
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Cost of Living in Surrey, BC
Now that you have an idea of why students choose to Study in Surrey, or why people move to Surrey in the first place, find the breakdown of the cost of living in Surrey, divided into sub-categories.
Transportation/Commutation
| Transportation | Average Price |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.27 C$ |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 134.00 C$ |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 3.35 C$ |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 1.96 C$ |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 49.00 C$ |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.92 C$ |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | 27,000.00 C$ |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | 27,399.80 C$ |
Food/Restaurants
| Restaurants | Average Price |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 18.00 C$ |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 75.00 C$ |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 13.50 C$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 6.88 C$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 7.25 C$ |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 5.72 C$ |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.65 C$ |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 2.12 C$ |
| Markets | Average Price |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | 2.41 C$ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 2.97 C$ |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 5.29 C$ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 4.57 C$ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 14.14 C$ |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 19.03 C$ |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 20.64 C$ |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.25 C$ |
| Banana (1kg) | 1.61 C$ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 3.40 C$ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 3.56 C$ |
| Potato (1kg) | 2.03 C$ |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.27 C$ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.89 C$ |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | 2.23 C$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 18.49 C$ |
Utility Bills
| Utilities (Monthly) | Average Price |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | 226.78 C$ |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 55.00 C$ |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 98.75 C$ |
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Entertainment/Recreation
| Sports And Leisure | Average Price |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 41.37 C$ |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 36.67 C$ |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 16.50 C$ |
| Clothing And Shoes | Average Price |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 57.29 C$ |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 43.33 C$ |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 118.19 C$ |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 140.00 C$ |
Accommodation/Housing
| Rent Per Month | Average Price |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 1,994.44 C$ |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,666.67 C$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 3,475.00 C$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 2,683.33 C$ |
| Buy Apartment Price | Average Price |
| The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre | 12,199.10 C$ |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment Outside of Centre | 7,534.74 C$ |
Looking for affordable Student Accommodation in Canada? Reach out to Fly Homes
Average Tuition Fees in Surrey
Surrey’s annual tuition fees for graduate and post-graduate courses are given below:
| Undergraduate Tuition Fee | CA$ 15,000 – CA$ 20,000 /Year |
| Post-graduate Tuition Fee | CA$ 18,000 – CA$ 22,000 /Year |
Students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for scholarships for up to 30,000 CAD while attending colleges in Surrey.
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Average Salary in Surrey
The average wage in Surrey, BC is $53,765, which works out to approximately $27.57 per hour. Entry-level full-time jobs typically start at about $35,100, with more experienced professionals averaging around $80,126. The median annual household income in the community is approximately $77,494.
At the low end, the minimum wage in British Columbia is $14.60 per hour, regardless of how the employee is paid. 4% of workers are officially counted as unemployed in the unemployment rate. This is 40% less than the national average. The rate of labour force participation is 66%, which is 4% higher than the national average.
Workers pay 5.06% in taxes on their first $41,725 of income. The tax rate rises with income, with individuals earning more than $222,420 paying 20.5%.
Must Read: Which is the Cheapest City to Live in Canada in 2023?
Things to Consider Before Moving to Surrey, BC
If you’re considering relocating to Surrey, there’s a lot you’ll need to know before you make the leap. As wonderful as Surrey is, you must choose whether it is the perfect place for you. We’ve included some useful information below to help you decide whether Surrey is the perfect place for you.
- Surrey’s public transit is mostly provided by buses, which can be sporadic and congested. The Skytrain system, on the other hand, is expected to grow soon, offering enhanced connectivity in the future.
- Because of its position in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, the city enjoys a wide range of weather. Summers will be hot and dry, and winters will be chilly and damp.
- Surrey is constantly evolving as a result of its tremendous growth. It will eventually outnumber Vancouver’s population, providing a lively urban environment. However, growth brings its own set of issues, such as increasing traffic and housing competition.
- Surrey’s lively multiculturalism is another distinguishing aspect. It’s a melting pot of traditions and experiences, with a rich combination of cultures, particularly substantial contributions from India, China, and the Philippines. Being respectful, open, and willing to learn about different cultures can enrich your time in Surrey.
Must Read: Cost of Living in Toronto: A Guide
Conclusion
Surrey, as one of Canada’s most populous cities, will provide you with a high-quality education at a reasonable cost. An outstanding academic record, innovative co-curricular activities, and strong English skills will undoubtedly gain you a place at one of Surrey’s top universities.
However, before deciding if you want to study in Surrey, Canada, have an idea of the cost of living in Surrey and the expenses that you’ll have to pay to help you manage your finances better.
Must Read: Cost of Living in Ontario: A Guide
FAQs
Ans. Living in Surrey will cost you CA$ 1,500 per month, not including tuition. Housing will cost between CA$600 and CA$1,200 per month, food will cost between CA$300 and CA$300 per month, and transportation will cost CA$116 per month if you use public transit.
Ans. You would need approximately 8,135.5 C$ in Toronto to maintain the same level of living that you can have in Surrey with 7,000.0 C$ (assuming you rent in both locations).
Ans. To maintain the same level of living that you can have with 8,700.0 C$ in Vancouver, you would need roughly 6,975.0 C$ in Surrey.
This was all about the Cost of Living in Surrey, British Columbia. To check the cost of living in different countries/ cities, subscribe to Leverage Edu.
To conclude, if you’re planning to study abroad in Canada, or anywhere in the world, reach out to our experts and book a 30-minute free consultation at 1800 57 2000
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