5Cost of living in British Columbia

Cost of living in British Columbia

Much like Ontario, cost of living is high in British Columbia—Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in Canada, but one of the most popular too with an often-praised high quality of life. Victoria, the provincial capital, and Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley are cheaper and very enjoyable cities.

Average wages in British Columbia

Minimum wage (as of June 1, 2019):

  • General minimum wage (applies to most employees), $13.85 per hour
  • Liquor servers minimum wage, $12.70 per hour

Minimum wages will go up on June 1, 2020 (respectively to $14.60 per hour and $13.95 per hour) and again on June 1, 2021 ($15.20 per hour for general employees and liquor servers).

British Columbia 2018 average hourly wage
Average hourly wage (total employees – all industries) $26.77
Management $41.53
Business – finance and administration $26.45
Natural and applied sciences $37.33
Health $30.71
Education – law and social – community and government services $31.36
Art – culture – recreation and sport $25.74
Sales and service $17.71
Trades – transport and equipment operator $28.14
Natural resources – agriculture $26.32
Manufacturing and utilities $25.32

Use the Government of British Columbia’s Cost of living calculator to compare cities or figure out your monthly budget with all expenses (rent, transportation, etc.).

Cost of living in Vancouver

Step 1, go to CBC. Step 2, enjoy the story of the day about Vancouver’s crazy real estate market. Indeed, Vancouver was ranked the most expensive Canadian city in the annual Mercer Cost of Living survey in 2019. But hey, quality of life, picturesque location and all!

Rent prices

According to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $1186 per month and a one-bedroom apartment downtown Vancouver is $1469 per month. This is an average, rent prices vary from one neighbourhood to another. RentSeeker established a one-bedroom apartment is $1680 per month on average and according to PadMapper, the monthly average is $2200.

RentSeeker data November 2019 PadMapper data November 2019
Bachelor apartment N/A $1925
One-bedroom apartment $1680 $2200
Two-bedroom apartment $2745 $3000
Three-bedroom apartment N/A $4250

North Vancouver and West Vancouver are both pricey—the rent for a bachelor apartment in West Vancouver is often higher than downtown.

You’ll find more affordable options further out—in Marpole, for instance, on the southern edge of the city of Vancouver. Rent is cheaper in Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster and Surrey but it’s also on the rise.

Public transportation

TransLink manages public transit services for the Metro Vancouver area. Bus service operates throughout most of the region under a subsidiary of TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company. There’s an efficient network of rapid transit (the SkyTrain), buses, the SeaBus (between Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver) and the West Coast Express (a train connecting Waterfront Station in Downtown Vancouver to Mission). For more information, read the Visitor’s guide to public transit.

There are three fare zones in Vancouver.

zones-metro-vancouver

  • Single trip with a Compass Card ($6): $2.40 for one zone, $3.45 for two zones, $4.50 for three zones
  • Single trip cash fare: $3 for one zone, $4.25 for two zones, $5.75 for three zones
  • Monthly pass: $98 for one zone, $131 for two zones, $177 for three zones
  • Day pass: $10.50

For more information, read Fare prices and zones.

Food

Much like in Toronto, food is pricey—look around for cheaper stores, specials and other options that work for you. Chinatown is usually a good place to buy rice ( … duh!) and fresh produce from independent retail stores.

Entertainment

  • Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $20-$25 (plus tax and tip). However, Vancouver boasts amazing Asian restaurants where you can enjoy top-quality sushi or Chinese noodles for low prices. Don’t hesitate to try hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood restaurants!
  • Bars: a beer is $6 and your favourite cocktail $10-$16 (plus tax and tip).
  • Movie theatre: a ticket is $15 (but Cineplex offers $8.50 admission on Tuesdays!).
  • Cigarettes: $15 for a pack of 20.

Cost of living in Victoria

Victoria, the provincial capital, is on Vancouver Island, a 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver. Then it’s another 30 kilometres to reach Victoria proper, the economic heart of Vancouver Island, surrounded by parks and mountains.

Rent prices

Victoria is more affordable than Vancouver. According to the CMHC, a bachelor apartment is $926 per month, a one-bedroom apartment is $1076 per month, a two-bedroom apartment $1406 and a three-bedroom apartment is $1647. For PadMapper, a bachelor apartment is $1325, a one-bedroom apartment is $1550 and a two-bedroom apartment is $2225.

Public transportation

Bus service is provided by BC Transit:

  • Single trip, cash fare: $2.50
  • 10 single-trip tickets: $2.25/ticket
  • Monthly pass: $85
  • Day pass: $5

Entertainment

  • Restaurants: a meal and a non-alcoholic drink sets you back $15 (plus tax and tip). Fancier restaurants are around $60-$75.
  • Bars: a beer is $7 and your favourite cocktail $10-$13 (plus tax and tip).
  • Movie theatre: a ticket is $15 (but Cineplex offers $8 admission on Tuesdays!).
  • Cigarettes: $15 for a pack of 20.
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