Cost of Living in Victoria: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison

Are you an international student curious about the cost of living in Victoria? The capital city of British Columbia, Canada is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It is surrounded by stunning natural scenery and a mild climate. If you’re planning to move here for higher studies, it’s important to understand the cost of living in Victoria.

Victoria is also home to many educational institutions, including the University of Victoria, which ranks among the top universities in Canada and the world. If you want to study abroad in Canada, then this blog will give you an overview of some recent statistics regarding the cost of living in Victoria and help you plan your budget accordingly. Read on to know more!

Cost of Living in Victoria

The average monthly cost of living in Victoria for a single person is CAD 1,606 (without rent) according to Numbeo data. The living costs include food, transportation, utilities, entertainment, and other expenses. When factoring in apartment rent, expenses range from CAD 1,910 to CAD 2,650. While the living expenses in Victoria generally depend on your lifestyle and preferences.

Victoria is often regarded as an expensive city, ranking among the top 14% of the priciest cities globally. However, it is the 20th best city to live in Canada, and understanding the cost of living in Belgium is essential to living a comfortable lifestyle. To give you a more detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Victoria, we will cover the following categories in detail:

• Cost of Living Accommodation in Victoria
• Cost of Grocery in Victoria
• Restaurant Food Costs in Victoria
• Cost of Utilities and Bills in Victoria
• Cost of Transportation in Victoria
• Cost of Entertainment in Victoria

Also Read: Cost of Living in Doha: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Cost of Living Accommodation in Victoria

One of the major costs of living in Victoria is accommodation costs. There are different types of accommodation available for students in Victoria, such as on-campus residence halls, off-campus apartments or houses, homestays with local families, hostels or hotels. The cost of accommodation varies depending on the type, location, size, quality, and amenities of your chosen place. 

The average cost of housing in the city centre area for a one-bedroom apartment in Victoria is approximately CAD 2,168. You may find housing expenses lower outside the city centre. To give you an idea of ​​the average cost of housing in Victoria we have listed the average monthly rents for different types of accommodation in Victoria:

Type	Location	Average Monthly Rent
1 bedroom apartment	City centre	CAD 2,168
1 bedroom apartment	Outside city centre	CAD 1,910
3 bedroom apartment	City centre	CAD 4,166
3 bedroom apartment	Outside city centre	CAD 3,482

Tip: If you want to save money on accommodation, you can also look for shared rooms or apartments with other students or locals. You can use online platforms to find suitable options.

Cost of Grocery in Victoria

Another important cost of living in Victoria that you will have to budget for is grocery. This includes items like bread, milk, water, vegetables, fruits, and other food items. Being aware of grocery prices before you begin cooking at home can help you manage your expenses and save money, as eating out tends to be more costly.

The cost of groceries depends on your dietary preferences and eating habits. To give you an idea of ​​the average cost of groceries in Victoria we have listed some of the average costs of groceries in Victoria:

Item	Average Cost
Milk (1 L)	CAD 3.86
Bread (0.5 kg)	CAD 4.90
Rice (1 kg)	CAD 6.59
Eggs (12)	CAD 5.79
Cheese (1 kg)	CAD 20.79
Apples (1 kg)	CAD 6.38
Bananas (1 kg)	CAD 2.01
Oranges (1 kg)	CAD 5.95
Tomatoes (1 kg)	CAD 7.50
Potatoes (1 kg)	CAD 5.42
Onions (1 kg)	CAD 4.47
Lettuce (1 head)	CAD 3.68
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	CAD 2.61

Restaurant Food Costs in Victoria

Restaurants in Victoria offer a lot of variety in food at affordable prices. The average cost of a one-time meal at a cheap restaurant is approximately CAD 26, which may not influence the cost of living in Victoria that much if you go to restaurants twice a week. But beyond this, it may have an impact on the budget. Here are some average prices for eating out in Victoria:

Type of meal	Average Price
Lunch menu in a cheap restaurant	CAD 15.8
Dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant	CAD 69.2
Fast food meal (McDonald’s or similar)	CAD 10.3
Cappuccino in a cafe	CAD 3.78

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Cost of Utilities in Victoria

Utility expenses are an essential part of the cost of living in Victoria that you will have to pay. It includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, internet, phone, and other services. The utility costs depend on the type, size, and location of your accommodation, as well as your usage and consumption habits. Here are some average monthly costs for utilities in Victoria:

Type of utilities	Average Monthly Cost
Basic utilities for an 85 m2 apartment (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage)	CAD 201
Internet plan with 60 Mbps or more speed and unlimited data	CAD 108
Mobile phone plan with calls and 10 GB or more data	CAD 71

Cost of Transportation in Victoria

Transportation is another cost of living in Victoria to consider. There are different modes of transportation available like buses, ferries, rental cycle, and trains. The cost of transportation will depend on the mode, distance, frequency, and time of your travel.

For a student, it’s important to know the average monthly transportation costs since daily commuting to college or a part-time job is necessary. Here are some average monthly transportation costs in Victoria:

Mode	Average Monthly Cost
Local bus ticket for a one-way trip	CAD 2.50
Monthly bus pass for unlimited trips	CAD 85
Taxi fare for an 1 km trip	CAD 2.50
Gasoline price for 1 L	CAD 1.94

Cost of Entertainment in Victoria

Last but not least, entertainment is also an important cost of living in Victoria that you will have to factor in. You can always choose to have fun and enjoy your free time in Victoria at the popular hangouts nearby like movies, museums, theatres, concerts, clubs, bars, or sports events. The cost of entertainment will depend on your personal preferences and interests. Here are some average prices for entertainment in Victoria:

Type of Entertainment	Average Price
Movie ticket for one person	CAD 16
Museum or art gallery ticket for one person	CAD 15
Theatre or concert ticket for one person	CAD 50
Nightclub or bar entry fee for one person	CAD 10
Drink in a nightclub or bar for one person	CAD 7

Cost of Living in Victoria Compared to Other Cities

Generally, Victoria offers a little expensive cost of living with an amazing lifestyle compared to many major metropolitan cities in Canada. For your reference, we have given the cost of living in Victoria compared to other cities like Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Canada. So that you can understand how convenient it is to live in Victoria for higher studies compared to other cities. Please have a look:

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Costs	Comparison Cost of Living in Victoria
Cost of living in Calgary	CAD 1,585	Approximately equal to Victoria
Cost of living in Toronto	CAD 1,531	Lower than Victoria
Cost of living in Montreal	CAD 1,369	Lower than Victoria
Cost of living in Edmonton	CAD 1,408	Lower than Victoria
Cost of living in Winnipeg	CAD 1,418	Lower than Victoria
Cost of living in Kelowna	CAD 1,399	Lower than Victoria
Cost of Living in Canada	CAD 1,443	Lower than Victoria

Why Choose To Study in Victoria?

Despite the cost of living in Victoria being the third-highest in Canada, the city still attracts a large number of international students from around the globe every year for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at some of them:

1. Affordable tuition fees: Compared to other Canadian cities, Victoria has relatively low tuition fees for international students. According to the University of Victoria, the average tuition fee for a UG international student is CAD 23,000 / year, while the average tuition fee for a graduate international student is CAD 9,000/ year.

2. High-quality education: Victoria offers a wide range of academic programs and courses for students to choose from, from English language learning to undergraduate and graduate degrees. You will also benefit from the excellent teaching and research facilities, as well as the supportive and friendly learning environment.
3. Cultural diversity: Being a multicultural city that welcomes people from different backgrounds and cultures, you can meet and interact with students and locals in Victoria from different ethnicities. And then there are cultural events and festivals to look forward to throughout the year!
4. Outdoor activities: Victoria is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it is hiking, biking, or kayaking, you can enjoy it all and much more.
5. Safety and security: Victoria is one of the safest cities in Canada and the world, having a low crime rate and a high safety index.

Understanding and managing estimated living expenses in Victoria is a smart thing to do for a student. By estimating the average cost of costs in Victoria with its essential categories of expenses like housing, groceries, transportation, and other essentials, you can enjoy the wonderful culture of Victoria according to your budget.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide
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Cost of Living in Durham: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Panama: A Comprehensive Guide

FAQs on Cost of Living in Victoria

So, this was all about the cost of living in Victoria. 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.