One app for all your study abroad needs
The Pacific Northwest’s crown jewel, Vancouver, is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, lively cosmopolitan milieu, and high standard of living. But it’s no secret that residing in this charming Canadian city has a cost. The cost of living per month in Vancouver for a single person is around CAD 1,560. However, this may vary according to living location and preferences.
We will examine important aspects of the cost of living in Vancouver, including housing, transit, groceries, healthcare, and entertainment. This article will offer useful information whether you’re thinking about moving to Vancouver or are just curious about the costs of living in Vancouver.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Living in Vancouver
The average Cost of living in Vancouver City for a single person is CAD 1,522 (without rent) according to numbeo. However, it is lower than in many other global study destinations for international students. The cost of living in Vancouver generally depends on the student’s lifestyle and preferences.
Whereas, the cost of living in Vancouver with rent for one person is around CAD 4350 and it includes food, groceries, transportation, utilities, entertainment, etc costs. The cost of living in Vancouver is mentioned in different sections below:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Housing Rent in Vancouver
Vancouver has a reputation for having some of Canada’s most costly housing. Prices are expensive because of the city’s enviable position, lack of available land, and high demand. With typical monthly costs for a one-bedroom apartment ranging from CAD 2,000 to CAD 3,200, renting an apartment in the city centre can be very expensive. Even more expensive, with prices varied by neighbourhood, is buying real estate. Below are some housing rent costs in Vancouver for your reference:
| Housing | Approx Cost |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | CAD 2,800 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | CAD 2,284 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | CAD 5,047 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | CAD 3,838 |
Cost of Transportation in Vancouver
Vancouver has a robust public transportation system that includes buses, SkyTrain, and SeaBus, all of which are practical and reasonably priced choices. An average CAD 140 monthly transit pass is required. If having a car appeals to you, be aware that there may be additional costs, like fuel, insurance, parking, and maintenance, which can have a big influence on your budget. Below are some local transportation costs for your reference:
| Transportation | Approx Cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | CAD 3.15 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CAD 140 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CAD 3.88 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CAD 2.14 |
| Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CAD 36.29 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | CAD 1.97 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | CAD 33,978 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | CAD 28,345 |
Utility Bills in Vancouver
An elementary monthly part of the cost of living in Vancouver that students have to pay is the utility bill. This includes the essential monthly costs of electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage and other services. However, this cost depends on the type, size, location, usage and consumption habits of the student. Here are the utility expenses you may have to bear as a student in Vancouver:
| Type of Utility | Average Monthly Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Cooling, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | CAD 147 |
| Internet (60 Mbps, Unlimited Data, & Cable/ADSL) | CAD 79 |
| Monthly Mobile Phone (with Calls & 10GB+ Data) | CAD 64 |
Must Read: Cost of Living in Michigan: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Groceries in Vancouver
A typical dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about CAD 80. Eating out or getting takeout further increases the cost of living in Vancouver. In comparison to other Canadian cities, Vancouver often has higher grocery prices. Depending on the business and your dietary requirements, prices can change. Buying from store brands or your neighborhood farmer’s market can help you save money. Below are some grocery costs for your reference:
| Grocery Items | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | CAD 2.99 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CAD 4.17 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CAD 6.02 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CAD 5.60 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | CAD 17.79 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | CAD 21.24 |
| Apples (1kg) | CAD 6.17 |
| Banana (1kg) | CAD 1.85 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CAD 5.26 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CAD 6.62 |
| Water (1.5-litre bottle) | CAD 2.70 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | CAD 20.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-litre bottle) | CAD 4.63 |
Healthcare in Vancouver
The majority of medical services are covered because Canadian healthcare is publicly sponsored. Prescription drugs, dental work, and vision care, however, are not often covered by the government and may necessitate purchasing supplementary insurance or paying out-of-pocket costs. When creating a Vancouver healthcare budget, it’s crucial to take these prices into account.
Entertainment and Recreation Cost in Vancouver
There are many cultural events and recreational activities available in Vancouver. There are many public parks, beaches, and hiking routes throughout the city. However, these activities might add up if you routinely go to museums, sights, concerts, and sporting events. For instance, a CAD 15 movie ticket and a CAD 500 – CAD 1,000 yearly gym membership are both reasonable prices. Below are some entertainment and recreation costs in Vancouver for your reference:
| Entertainment and Recreation | Approx Cost |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | CAD 56.25 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | CAD 15.84 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | CAD 18.00 |
Cost of Living in Vancouver Compared to Other Cities
Generally, Vancouver offers a little bit high cost of living compared other cities in Canada. Vancouver also has plenty of opportunities for work, study and amusement then other cities. For your reference, we’ve given the cost of living in Vancouver compared to other cities like Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Dublin (Ireland) and, Canada. So that you can understand how affordable it is to live in Vancouver for higher studies compared to other cities in Canada. Please have a look:
| Cost of living city-wise | Approx Costs | Comparison Cost of Living in Vancouver |
| Cost of living in Toronto | CAD 1,532 | Lower than the Vancouver |
| Cost of Living in Calgary | CAD 1,585 | Higher than the Vancouver |
| Cost of Living in Winnipeg | CAD 1,417 | Lower than the Vancouver |
| Cost of Living in Montreal | CAD 1,369 | Lower than the Vancouver |
| Cost of Living in Dublin (Ireland) | CAD 1617 | Higher than the Vancouver |
| Cost of Living in Canada | CAD 1,452 | Lower than Vancouver |
Must Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide
Why Choose to Study Abroad?
Vancouver is an amazing place to be when it comes to living in Canada. It is a fantastic city offering amazing experiences to students with high-quality education, along with an affordable cost of living in Vancouver. Studying Vancouver’s universities may be a life-changing and gratifying experience for a number of reasons:
1. High-Quality Education: Many students choose to study abroad in order to take advantage of the top-notch instruction provided by renowned universities and other institutions around the globe. Studying Vancouver enables you to take advantage of the specialized programs and faculties that various nations and universities have to offer in terms of academic strength.
2. Cultural Immersion: Studying abroad is an exceptional chance to get to know another culture firsthand and broaden your view of the world. You can experience different cultures, cuisines, languages, and customs by relocating to another nation to live and study, which can help you grow as a person and broaden your perspective on the world.
3. Personal development: Studying abroad forces you to adjust to unfamiliar situations, grow more self-reliant, and acquire important life skills like resilience, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving. As you learn to deal with new situations and embrace diversity, it offers a platform for your own growth.
4. Networking Possibilities: Studying abroad makes it easier to establish global networks and relationships that will be helpful to your future professional endeavours. Interacting with people from various backgrounds gives you the possibility to forge cross-cultural connections and broaden your professional horizons. These people may be students, teachers, or professionals.
Things to Consider Before Moving to Vancouver
Now that you have an idea about the cost of living in Vancouver, it is time to understand some important things about the Vancouver city before you move there. Below mentioned are a few of the things to consider before moving to Vancouver:
- Vancouver’s pricey housing market is mostly to blame for the city’s higher-than-average cost of living.
- However, the city has a distinctive way of life and stunning surroundings, which make it a desirable place to reside.
- It is feasible to control expenses and take advantage of everything Vancouver has to offer by carefully planning a budget.
- Also, looking into cost-saving measures like picking affordable neighbourhoods, using public transit, and making wise decisions about food and entertainment.
- Make sure your financial condition is compatible with the expense of living in this lovely city by doing extensive study before moving.
Relevant Reads:
FAQs
Ans: The average cost of living in Vancouver is around CAD 1,560 excluding rent for a person. However, rent for a one-bedroom apartment can range from CAD 1,800 to CAD 3,200 and this may vary according to area and preferences.
Ans: The cost of living in Vancouver is very high and it is one of the most expensive cities in Canada. The cost of living in Vancouver for international students is around CAD 1,560 excluding rent. It can vary according to the preferences of a student.
Ans: The salary we need to live in Vancouver should be more than CAD 4350 as this is equal to the average cost of living in Vancouver with rent for a single person. However, the base salary in Vancouver is around CAD 4,406 after tax deductions.
Vancouver has a high cost of living around CAD 4350 with rent and is one of Canada’s most costly cities, so expats should plan their finances properly.
Ans: When taking into account all aspects of daily spending, such as lodging, groceries, transportation, cuisine, entertainment, and clothing, Vancouver is considered to be the most expensive city in Canada and the cost of living here can be CAD 1,560 excluding rent. At the same time, Toronto is the next most expensive city in Canada with a cost of living of CAD 1,532.
This was all about the Cost of living in Vancouver. If you wish to study in Canada then contact Leverage Edu for more information and updates.
45,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today.