Moving to Vancouver? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Vancouver has it all – tree-lined avenues, a coast to the Pacific Ocean and the North Shore Mountains. Vancouver is frequently voted one of the best cities in the world to live in, coming in most recently at number 5 in 2023.

If you are considering moving to Vancouver, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the most populated city in British Columbia.

Quick Vancouver Facts:

Population: 675,218 (2017) in the city and 2,463,431.
Official Language: English (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including French, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian and Spanish.
GDP Per Capita: C$54,643 (2019)
Greenpeace: Greenpeace began life in Vancouver in 1971.
Currency: Canadian Dollar ($, CAD). As of early 2023, $1 USD = C$1.36, €1 EUR = C$1.44, £1 = C$1.64, $1 AUD = C$0.91

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Vancouver

Estimating the cost of moving to Vancouver from various cities around the world involves several factors, including the volume of goods being moved, the distance, mode of transportation, time of year, and additional services like packing or storage.

Costs can vary widely based on these factors. Please note these are very rough estimates and actual costs can be significantly different.

From Canadian Cities:
- Toronto to Vancouver: Around CAD 3,000 – 5,000
- Montreal to Vancouver: Around CAD 3,500 – 5,500
From U.S. Cities:
- New York to Vancouver: Around USD 4,000 – 7,000
- Los Angeles to Vancouver: Around USD 3,500 – 6,000
From International Cities:
- Mexico City to Vancouver: Around USD 5,000 – 8,000
- London to Vancouver: Around GBP 4,000 – 7,000
- Paris to Vancouver: Around EUR 4,500 – 8,000
- Tokyo to Vancouver: Around JPY 600,000 – 1,000,000
- Sydney to Vancouver: Around AUD 5,000 – 8,000
- Dubai to Vancouver: Around AED 18,000 – 30,000

These estimates assume a full-service move for a moderately furnished home and can vary based on the specific requirements and services needed. For a precise quote, it’s best to contact moving companies directly and provide them with details about the move.

2. Vancouver Housing Costs

Vancouver’s property prices are the most expensive in Canada but still cheaper than many major cities around the world. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Vancouver:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: C$2,400+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$2,110+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: C$4,500+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$3,300+

Vancouver Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$13,370+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: C$10,400+

Vancouver Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Vancouver compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 24.1% more expensive
New York is 48.4% more expensive
Los Angeles is 29.4% more expensive
Toronto is 7.2% cheaper
Sydney is 7.1% more expensive
Paris is 18.9% cheaper
Dubai is 7.9% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Vancouver has many houses and apartments for sharing. With a house/flat share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. Remember a shared flat or room usually means a shared bathroom as well. Many rentals don’t advertise online, they simply put notices outside the building. So, once you’ve decided which neighbourhood to move to, wander around and see what’s available. Alternatively, have a look at the following sites to see what’s out there – Craigslist, Room Rental and Room Mates.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities, Vancouver has its desirable areas and less desirable areas and obviously, the rents reflect this difference. Downtown has a mix of areas from the West End, which has a selection of older tower blocks and reasonable rent, to Coal Harbour, with its affluent professionals and retirees living in high-rise condos close to the harbour and the sea. Kitsilano is very popular with young families and students. The closer you get to the beach, the more expensive the properties become. South Granville is more affordable than Downtown and is right by Granville Island with its restaurants, theatres and excellent food market. East Vancouver is another area worth exploring for cheap rents. South Granville is an attractive area with rents lower than Downtown. It has a wealth of bars, restaurants, shops, theatres and a great food market. North Vancouver has lower rents and easy access to Downtown. It’s close to the mountains for those who enjoy hiking, cycling and winter sports. South Vancouver is a quiet, affordable area, with larger houses and plots, suitable for families or house shares.

3. Vancouver Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Vancouver is frequently voted one of the best cities in which to eat in North America. To quote the New York Times, “The number of truly outstanding restaurants in Vancouver is astonishing, and the prices are ridiculously low when compared with other food capitals.” It’s not only the restaurants that have excellent food, the street food carts also offer top-class cuisine.

Inexpensive Restaurant: C$25.00
Takeout Coffee: C$5.00
Bottle of Coke: C$2.70 – C$3.00
1L of Milk: C$2.90 – C$3.60
Loaf of Bread: C$3.60 – C$4.40
12 Eggs: C$5.20 – C$5.50
1kg Chicken: C$16.00 – C$20.00
1kg Beef: C$18.00 – C$25.00
1kg Apples: C$4.80 – C$6.60
1kg White Rice: C$4.70 – C$6.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 28% more expensive and groceries are 29.7% more expensive than Vancouver.
London restaurants are 10.5% more expensive and groceries are 25.2% cheaper than Vancouver.
Los Angeles restaurants are 20.3% more expensive and groceries are 8.6% more expensive than Vancouver.
Toronto restaurants are 2.9% more expensive and groceries are 4.2% cheaper than Vancouver.
Sydney restaurants are 5.8% more expensive and groceries are 9.2% more expensive than Vancouver.
Paris restaurants are 3% more expensive and groceries are 7% more expensive than Vancouver.
Dubai restaurants are 1.2% more expensive and groceries are 43.5% cheaper than Vancouver.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Vancouver is a city full of foodies and budding chefs, so you can expect high-quality produce in the stores. Granville Island has an incredible selection of fresh food at the market. Many of the top chefs in Vancouver can be seen shopping here. Safeway and Save on Food are basic supermarkets and have many branches within the city. Market Place IGA is a supermarket with an excellent deli department. H-Mart sells a wide selection of Asian food and good quality meat at affordable prices. Urban Fare is an expensive supermarket which sells top quality and speciality food. For buying in bulk and with regular savings, go to Costco or Superstore.
Find Cheap Eats: With a little bit of research, you will find restaurants which offer good but inexpensive food, either every day or at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Daily Hive, Lonely Planet, 604 Now and Hostelworld.

4. Vancouver Alcohol Costs

Vancouver has many bars, pubs and clubs; however, the strict licensing laws ensure that things don’t get out of hand. For example, numbers are restricted in bars and standing at the bar is not allowed. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: C$7.50 – C$8.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: C$9.00 – C$10.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: C$3.50 – C$5.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: C$3.70 – C$4.80
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: C$20.00 – C$25.00

How To Drink For Less in Vancouver:

Keep an eye on the local papers, billboards and websites for specials.
There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that offer cheap drinks at certain times of the day or week. Have a look at the following sites to see what’s on offer in Vancouver – Four Square, Yelp and Narcity.

5. Vancouver Transportation Fares

Vancouver’s public transportation system runs like clockwork. The main operator is Translink which runs the buses, SkyTrain, commuter rail and ferries between North Vancouver and Vancouver.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – C$3.10
One-day pass – C$11.00
Monthly season ticket for bus, SkyTrain, train and ferry, starts at C$120.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a U-Pass BC – it gives students very low fares on all transport
Buy a Compass Card and enjoy reduced rates on all fares
Buy a bike. There is a good system of cycle lanes in Vancouver
Walk. Walking in Vancouver is a pleasure, so if you live close to where you work, enjoy the walk.

6. Cost of Internet in Vancouver

Internet in Canada is more expensive than in the UK but cheaper than in the US. Pay-as-you-go plans are generally much more expensive in Canada than in other countries and, service providers often charge you for incoming calls. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Bell: C$55.00 a month (Fiber broadband up to 10Mbps)
Virgin: C$40.00 a month (Standard broadband up to 50Mbps)
Primus: C$41.95 a month (Standard broadband up to 100Mbps)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Vancouver’s hottest month is August, with an average daily temperature of 18°C. July is the sunniest month, with around 13 hours of sunshine a day. The coldest winter month is January, with an average temperature of 4°C. November is the wettest month with an average of 200mm of rain falling.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: C$75 – C$90
Summer Dress: C$50 – C$70
Running Shoes (Trainers): C$110 – C$135
Business Shoes: C$150 – C$200
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): C$120
Deodorant: C$6
Shampoo: C$6
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): C$3.50
Gym Membership: C$55 – C$65 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: C$17

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Vancouver

Everyone in Canada drives on the right. Even though Vancouver doesn’t have any motorways (freeways), the traffic still flows, even in rush hour, albeit slowly.

If you’re moving to Vancouver from within Canada, your Canadian license is valid for 90 days. After that time, you must apply for a B. C. License. If you are moving to Vancouver from another country, then you may be able to exchange your license without taking a driving test. This depends on which country you are relocating from. If your country isn’t on the list then you will need to take a Driving Test.

Another route is to get International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. IDPs are valid for 12 months and your license will be in English and French.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Vancouver:

Volkswagen Golf: C$30,000
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): C$1.99
Vehicle Permit: C$32
Other Fees: Go to other costs for details of other fees, many of which depend on the type of car you own

Source: Expatistan, CAA

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Vancouver:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, Poparide and Craigslist.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. There is no Uber in BC to date.

9. Taxes in Toronto

No matter where you live in Canada, you will pay Federal Tax and then you will pay Provincial Tax which varies from province to province. To learn more about the different taxes go to Gov.BC and the Canadian Revenue Agency.

Sales Tax is 12% in Vancouver and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. It is not included in the marked price. Tax is added at the checkout and itemised at the bottom of your bill.

If you decide to buy a house or flat in Vancouver, you will be subject to property transfer tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in.

10. Flight Costs from Vancouver

If you do make the move to Vancouver, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: C$168
Los Angeles: C$101
London: C$588
Toronto: C$50
Dubai: C$805
Sydney: C$720
Melbourne: C$773
Cape Town: C$1,073
Hong Kong: C$916

Other Tips on Moving to Vancouver:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Vancouver but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Vancouver Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Vancouver.

Meetups: Vancouver has lots of free meetup groups you can find at Meetup. Join groups like the VanHikers, Meatless, Code and Coffee, BC Outdoor Adventures and many more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always something going on in Vancouver. Discover local events through sites such as Trip Advisor, Travel US, Planetware and Timeout.

12. Moving to Vancouver with a Family

Vancouver is a great city to live in with a family. It has a beach, winter sports, parks, mountains and so much more.

Here’s some extra food for thought.

New Parents (or parents-to-be): Have a look at the following sites to see what groups are available for new parents or parents-to-be – The Childbearing Society and Pregnancy Vancouver.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Vancouver has many areas where families will feel at home. Kitsilano is great for young families, with its proximity to two of the best beaches in Vancouver. East Vancouver has cheap areas for families but look carefully, as some neighbourhoods are considered unsafe. Burnaby borders Vancouver on the east side and is enjoyed by families. North Vancouver is one of the most popular areas for families with its proximity to the mountains and everything they have to offer. South Vancouver has houses and gardens which draw families to live in the area.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Scary Mommy and Family Days Out all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Vancouver for Work

Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.

Vancouver’s job market is diverse and competitive. The city is an industrial hub with a very busy port. Both forestry and mining companies have their headquarters in Vancouver, employing large numbers of people. Other noteworthy employment sectors include the movie industry, tech, telecommunications, aerospace, health care, tourism and hospitality, education and biotechnology.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries in Vancouver are not as high as in other major cities in the world and rentals are comparatively high. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Vancouver, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Workopolis, BCJobs and Craigslist. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Vancouver from Australia

There’s a large group of Australians living in Vancouver. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking of joining them.

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Vancouver with the size of a city in Australia, the closest would be the Gold Coast. If you look at the whole Vancouver metro, then you would be looking at Brisbane.
Join Expat Groups: Both Internations and Meetup offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Vancouver.

15. Moving to Vancouver from the United States

Vancouver has the largest population of Americans living outside the US. There are 183,155 American eligible voters living in the city. Here are a few bonus tips for those of you considering joining your fellow Americans.

Size Comparison: If you look at the population of Vancouver and compare it with a city in the States, the closest in size is Baltimore. If you compare the whole of the Vancouver metro with a city in the States, then you would be looking at Houston.
Expat Groups: If you want to meet up with fellow Americans, have look at the following sites – Internations and Meetup.

16. Moving to Vancouver from the United Kingdom

The British have had a long association with Vancouver and many have settled here over the centuries. In fact, Vancouver is named after Captain George Vancouver who was an officer in the English navy. If you’re considering joining your fellow Brits, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Vancouver with a city in the UK, you would need to look at a city a little larger than Leeds.
Expat Groups: If you would like to meet other Brits living in Toronto, have a look at the following sites – Internations, Meetup and Facebook.

Read our full guide on Moving To Canada From The UK.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Vancouver you can start by comparing moving quotes here.