Cost Of Living For a Family in Vancouver 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Vancouver

Average monthly spending for families in Vancouver

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: USD
640 3,200 32,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Vancouver?

Families in Vancouver spend around 3,200 USD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 640 USD or as high as 32,000 USD. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Vancouver

How do families spend their money in Vancouver?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)

LOW230 USD
AVERAGE1,200 USD
HIGH12,000 USD
Per Month

Families in Vancouver typically spend from 24% to 39% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 29% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1,200 USD with expenditure ranging from 230 USD to 12,000 USD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)

LOW45 USD
AVERAGE230 USD
HIGH2,300 USD
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Vancouver ranges from 2% to 7% of total expenses with 4% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 230 USD with 45 USD and 2,300 USD being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 9%)

LOW79 USD
AVERAGE400 USD
HIGH4,000 USD
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 79 USD to 4,000 USD in a month on commuting with 400 USD being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 9%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost19%

19% of total expenses on average (12% to 25%)

LOW150 USD
AVERAGE740 USD
HIGH7,400 USD
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Vancouver is 740 USD. The cost of groceries can range between 150 USD to 7,400 USD. Families spend on average about 19% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 12% and 25% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare9%

9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)

LOW93 USD
AVERAGE510 USD
HIGH4,100 USD
Per Month

Families in Vancouver allocate 5% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 93 USD to 4,100 USD with 510 USD being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW41 USD
AVERAGE210 USD
HIGH2,100 USD
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 41 USD to 2,100 USD with 210 USD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)

LOW120 USD
AVERAGE580 USD
HIGH5,800 USD
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 14% of the monthly expenditure of families with 7% and 22% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 580 USD per month with 120 USD being the minimum spent amount and 5,800 USD being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)

LOW61 USD
AVERAGE300 USD
HIGH3,000 USD
Per Month
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Vancouver

Family expenditure to income ratio in Vancouver

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Vancouver

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

68%

61% to 77%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Vancouver spend around 68% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 61% of their income while some as high as 77%.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Vancouver

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Vancouver

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

4.5 USD 9 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Restaurant meal for one

14 USD 21 USD 42 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fine dining meal for one

30 USD 45 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Cappuccino or latte

3.6 USD 5.7 USD 8.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

2.8 USD 3.3 USD 4.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

12 eggs

2.3 USD 3 USD 4.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fresh whole chicken

4.7 USD 6.1 USD 8.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Pack of beef

5.2 USD 7.7 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Medium bag of rice

2.5 USD 3.4 USD 4.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of tomatos

0.89 USD 1.2 USD 2.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bag of apples

1.5 USD 2 USD 3.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Vancouver

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

3.4 USD 4.1 USD 8.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car full tank

22 USD 30 USD 59 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car 1-day rental

25 USD 34 USD 51 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average car price

12,000 USD 24,000 USD 32,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Bus ticket one way

0.82 USD 1.2 USD 2.4 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Car Service

31 USD 47 USD 94 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas for a family in Vancouver

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

45 USD 230 USD 2,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable

21 USD 41 USD 55 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone charges

24 USD 40 USD 120 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

14 USD 18 USD 28 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

One month gym membership

34 USD 43 USD 86 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Vancouver

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

24 USD 34 USD 51 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman dress

22 USD 30 USD 98 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Woman shoes

24 USD 32 USD 75 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men's shoes

20 USD 24 USD 48 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Men suit

21 USD 26 USD 140 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Regular t-shirt

9.8 USD 13 USD 39 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Vancouver

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

290 USD 430 USD 1,200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

410 USD 660 USD 1,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

530 USD 790 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

53,000 USD 79,000 USD 160,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment

61,000 USD 100,000 USD 380,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment

120,000 USD 350,000 USD 690,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Vancouver

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

460 USD 570 USD 760 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Double Bed

290 USD 440 USD 550 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Single Bed

250 USD 320 USD 420 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Living Room

440 USD 570 USD 2,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Dining Table

230 USD 300 USD 570 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Sofa or Couch

290 USD 400 USD 870 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Vancouver

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

290 USD 430 USD 870 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Fridge or Freezer

240 USD 380 USD 520 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Washing Machine

360 USD 520 USD 940 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Stove or Cooker

320 USD 410 USD 570 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile Phone

360 USD 430 USD 620 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Laptop or Computer

380 USD 460 USD 830 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Vancouver

What percentage of families in Vancouver are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
53%
Not Saving
47%

Almost 53% of surveyed families in Vancouver said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 47% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Vancouver

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 18% of income 26%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

270 USD
$270
1,400 USD
$1,400
14,000 USD
$14,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 26% of their monthly income to their savings, with 18% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 1,400 USD with 270 USD and 14,000 USD being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Vancouver

Saving Challenges in Vancouver

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Vancouver. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income7%
High Expenses10%
Debt and Loans19%
Lack of Budgeting Skills10%
Impulsive Spending9%
Financial Emergencies6%
Living the moment7%
Will do it later16%
Inflation10%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability3%

Around 7% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 19% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 16% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 10% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Vancouver

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy77%


We asked family guardians and parents in Vancouver whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 23% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 77% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether families of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 19% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 81% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance19%

Easily manages finances81%

Where do families choose to put their savings in Vancouver

Typical saving choices for families in Vancouver

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds10%
Gold9%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts12%
Cash Savings15%
Real Estate10%
Investment6%
Stocks6%
Bonds7%
Mutual Funds3%
Certificates of Deposit3%
Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Vancouver

Affordable living in Vancouver

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Vancouver?


Yes
82%
No
18%

Around 82% of surveyed families think that living in Vancouver is affordable with proper budgeting while 18% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Financial goals and targets of families living in Vancouver

Financial goals of families in Vancouver

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Vancouver, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund6%
Debt Reduction31%
Retirement Savings7%
Education Funding9%
Homeownership16%
Investing9%
Travel or Lifestyle12%
Healthcare Expenses8%
Financial Independence9%

Around 6% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 31% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 12% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 8% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Vancouver

Low-cost alternatives in Vancouver

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options63%

Few low-cost options37%


Based on the survey, 63% of the families living in Vancouver have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 37% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Families

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes80%

No20%


Based on the survey, 20% of the families living in Vancouver said that they don't have an emergency fund while 80% said that they do.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Vancouver

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Vancouver


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
24%
Debt Free
76%

According to the survey, 24% of the families in Vancouver have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Vancouver

Debt-to-income ratio in Vancouver

Debt to income ratio

25%

15% to 35%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 25% of a family's monthly income in Vancouver goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%10%
40% - 50%11%
30% - 40%13%
20% - 30%16%
10% - 20%20%
0% - 10%28%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Vancouver pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 10% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 16% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Vancouver

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage14%
Auto Loan24%
Student Loan3%
Credit Card24%
Personal Loan35%

14% of debtors in Vancouver confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 24% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 24% of people and personal loans rose at 35%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Vancouver.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Vancouver

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never56%
Once a year22%
Twice a year11%
Three times a year8%
Four times a year4%

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Vancouver

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Vancouver

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

4.5 USD 9 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Vancouver is approximatly 9 USD with meal cost ranging from 4.5 USD to 15 USD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

14 USD 21 USD 42 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 14 USD and 42 USD with 21 USD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Vancouver.

Fine dining meal for one price

30 USD 45 USD 180 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 30 USD to 180 USD with the average cost being 45 USD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Vancouver.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

3.6 USD 5.7 USD 8.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Vancouver is around 5.7 USD. Price ranges between 3.6 USD and 8.5 USD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

2.8 USD 3.3 USD 4.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Vancouver is 3.3 USD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.2 USD and the minimum being 2.8 USD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2.3 USD 3 USD 4.5 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A dozen eggs costs around 3 USD on average with 2.3 USD and 4.5 USD being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

4.7 USD 6.1 USD 8.6 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Vancouver is between 4.7 USD and 8.6 USD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6.1 USD.

Pack of beef price

5.2 USD 7.7 USD 15 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 7.7 USD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

2.5 USD 3.4 USD 4.8 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of rice in Vancouver costs around 3.4 USD on average with prices rangeing between 2.5 USD and 4.8 USD depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

0.89 USD 1.2 USD 2.2 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.89 USD to 2.2 USD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

1.5 USD 2 USD 3.3 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

A bag of apples costs 2 USD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


12% 19% of income 23%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Vancouver is around 19%. This means that families spend 19% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 12% to 23% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 150 USD to 7,400 USD with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Vancouver

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Vancouver

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Vancouver

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

290 USD 430 USD 1,200 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

410 USD 660 USD 1,700 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

530 USD 790 USD 2,100 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

610 USD 1,000 USD 2,800 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

1,300 USD 3,300 USD 6,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse monthly rent cost

1,100 USD 1,700 USD 4,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House monthly rent cost

1,300 USD 3,300 USD 6,600 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa monthly rent cost

1,700 USD 4,300 USD 6,900 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Vancouver ranges between 290 USD and 1,200 USD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 410 USD to 1,700 USD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 530 USD and 2,100 USD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 610 USD to 2,800 USD. The average rent of a townhouse in Vancouver is around 1,700 USD while house rental costs can be as high as 3,300 USD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 1,700 USD to 6,900 USD per month.



Apartment and house prices in Vancouver

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

53,000 USD 79,000 USD 160,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

1-bedroom apartment price

61,000 USD 100,000 USD 380,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

2-bedroom apartment price

120,000 USD 350,000 USD 690,000 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

3-bedroom apartment price

370,000 USD 550,000 USD 1.7M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Townhouse price

450,000 USD 1M USD 3.9M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

House price

500,000 USD 3M USD 4.3M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Villa price

610,000 USD 3.4M USD 5M USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average price of a studio apartment in Vancouver can range from 53,000 USD to 160,000 USD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 61,000 USD to 380,000 USD. A villa can cost you 3.4M USD on average with prices ranging from 610,000 USD to 5M USD.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Vancouver will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


28 x83 monthly income 130
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Vancouver can be x83 to x130 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x83 multiples of the average monthly salary in Vancouver.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


18% 25% of income 32%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Vancouver is around 25%. This means that people pay 25% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 32% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
33%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.5%
AVERAGE
3.5%
TO
4.5%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


4.8 USD 48 USD 720 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Vancouver

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Vancouver

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

45 USD 230 USD 2,300 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Internet and cable cost

21 USD 41 USD 55 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Mobile phone bill and charges

24 USD 40 USD 120 USD
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 230 USD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 21 USD to 55 USD with 41 USD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 40 USD but can range between 24 USD and 120 USD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


0.70% 3% of income 5.9%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Vancouver is around 3%. This means that people pay 3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 0.70% to 5.9% depending on salary and location.

Published: November 26, 2024   Last Update: May 26, 2025



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