Cost Of Living For a Student in British Columbia 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: CAD
Average monthly spending for students in British Columbia
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in British Columbia?
Students in British Columbia spend around 3,200 CAD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 500 CAD or as high as 22,000 CAD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in British Columbia
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 16,000 CAD | 32,000 CAD | 43,000 CAD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 590 CAD | 890 CAD | 2,400 CAD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 890 CAD | 1,400 CAD | 3,600 CAD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1,200 CAD | 1,800 CAD | 4,700 CAD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 120,000 CAD | 180,000 CAD | 360,000 CAD |
| $87,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 140,000 CAD | 240,000 CAD | 890,000 CAD |
| $100,000 | $170,000 | $650,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 240,000 CAD | 710,000 CAD | 1.4M CAD |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 640 CAD | 810 CAD | 1,100 CAD |
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 720 CAD | 920 CAD | 3,200 CAD |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
| 430 CAD | 590 CAD | 1,300 CAD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 430 CAD | 640 CAD | 1,300 CAD |
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
| 500 CAD | 720 CAD | 1,300 CAD |
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
| 590 CAD | 720 CAD | 1,300 CAD |
How do students spend their money in British Columbia?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
| LOW | $89 120 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $570 780 CAD |
| HIGH | $3,800 5,200 CAD |
| Per Month |
Students in British Columbia typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 780 CAD with expenditure ranging from 120 CAD to 5,200 CAD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $15 20 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $95 130 CAD |
| HIGH | $630 860 CAD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in British Columbia ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 130 CAD with 20 CAD and 860 CAD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $26 35 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $170 230 CAD |
| HIGH | $1,100 1,500 CAD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 35 CAD to 1,500 CAD in a month on commuting with 230 CAD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $74 100 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $480 650 CAD |
| HIGH | $3,200 4,300 CAD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in British Columbia is 650 CAD. The cost of groceries can range between 100 CAD to 4,300 CAD. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $22 30 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $140 190 CAD |
| HIGH | $950 1,300 CAD |
| Per Month |
Students in British Columbia allocate 5% to 11% 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 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 30 CAD to 1,300 CAD with 190 CAD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $18 25 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $120 160 CAD |
| HIGH | $790 1,100 CAD |
| 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 25 CAD to 1,100 CAD with 160 CAD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $70 95 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $450 620 CAD |
| HIGH | $3,000 4,100 CAD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 620 CAD per month with 95 CAD being the minimum spent amount and 4,100 CAD being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $55 75 CAD |
| AVERAGE | $360 490 CAD |
| HIGH | $2,400 3,200 CAD |
| Per Month |
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.
Affordable living in British Columbia
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in British Columbia?
Around 84% of surveyed students think that living in British Columbia is affordable with proper budgeting while 16% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in British Columbia
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the students living in British Columbia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students of British Columbia whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes82%
No18%
Based on the survey, 18% of the students living in British Columbia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 82% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Canada
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 Leteracy75%
We asked student guardians and parents in British Columbia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 25% 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 75% 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 students of Canada have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 21% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 79% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance21%
Easily manages finances79%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in British Columbia
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in British Columbia
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 590 CAD | 890 CAD | 2,400 CAD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 890 CAD | 1,400 CAD | 3,600 CAD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,200 CAD | 1,800 CAD | 4,700 CAD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,400 CAD | 2,400 CAD | 6,500 CAD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,800 CAD | 7,100 CAD | 14,000 CAD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 2,400 CAD | 3,600 CAD | 10,000 CAD |
House monthly rent cost
| 2,800 CAD | 7,100 CAD | 14,000 CAD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 3,600 CAD | 8,900 CAD | 14,000 CAD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in British Columbia ranges between 590 CAD and 2,400 CAD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 890 CAD to 3,600 CAD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,200 CAD and 4,700 CAD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,400 CAD to 6,500 CAD. The average rent of a townhouse in British Columbia is around 3,600 CAD while house rental costs can be as high as 7,100 CAD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,600 CAD to 14,000 CAD per month.
Apartment and house prices in British Columbia
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 120,000 CAD | 180,000 CAD | 360,000 CAD |
| $87,000 | $130,000 | $260,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 140,000 CAD | 240,000 CAD | 890,000 CAD |
| $100,000 | $170,000 | $650,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 240,000 CAD | 710,000 CAD | 1.4M CAD |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 790,000 CAD | 1.2M CAD | 3.6M CAD |
Townhouse price
House price
| 1.2M CAD | 7.1M CAD | 10M CAD |
Villa price
| 1.4M CAD | 7.9M CAD | 12M CAD |
The average price of a studio apartment in British Columbia can range from 120,000 CAD to 360,000 CAD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 140,000 CAD to 890,000 CAD. A villa can cost you 7.9M CAD on average with prices ranging from 1.4M CAD to 12M CAD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in British Columbia 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
| 49 | x143 monthly income | 234 |
Property prices in British Columbia can be x143 to x234 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x143 multiples of the average monthly salary in British Columbia.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in British Columbia is around 36%. This means that people pay 36% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 46% 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.
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.
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 British Columbia
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in British Columbia
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
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 students is around 130 CAD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 32 CAD to 86 CAD with 64 CAD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 43 CAD but can range between 26 CAD and 130 CAD 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
The average utility-to-income ratio in British Columbia is around 5.3%. This means that people pay 5.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.5% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in British Columbia
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in British Columbia
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in British Columbia is approximatly 13 CAD with meal cost ranging from 6.4 CAD to 21 CAD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 23 CAD and 68 CAD with 34 CAD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in British Columbia.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 45 CAD to 270 CAD with the average cost being 68 CAD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in British Columbia.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in British Columbia is around 8.6 CAD. Price ranges between 5.4 CAD and 13 CAD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in British Columbia is 5.2 CAD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 6.4 CAD and the minimum being 4.3 CAD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 4.3 CAD on average with 3.2 CAD and 6.4 CAD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in British Columbia is between 7.3 CAD and 13 CAD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 9.5 CAD.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 13 CAD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in British Columbia costs around 4.7 CAD on average with prices rangeing between 3.5 CAD and 6.7 CAD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1.3 CAD to 3.2 CAD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 3 CAD 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
The average grocery-to-income ratio in British Columbia is around 26%. This means that students spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 100 CAD to 4,300 CAD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
