855-879-6683
info@ilovemoving.com
The most populous city in British Columbia and one of the largest Canadian industrial centers offers excellent jobs, education, entertainment opportunities, and high quality of life. If you want to settle in a city that is already home to 183,150 Americans, figure out the cost of living in Vancouver beforehand.
Moving to Vancouver will put you in a place with breathtaking scenery, top-notch healthcare, and various outdoor activities. Becoming Vancouverite comes with many benefits, but before you hire an international moving company to help you relocate, go over all the basic expenses. To help you get a good grasp of overall costs, we made this guide that answers questions like Is Vancouver an expensive city, Is Vancouver more expensive than Toronto, What salary do you need to live in Vancouver, and What is the average salary in Vancouver?
Is Vancouver an Expensive City Compared to Other Cities in the Country
When you are considering living in Vancouver, you still might research other places just to see how staying there would be better. Americans who are relocating to Canada usually consider, besides VA, metropolises like Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
Keep in mind that the cost of living in Canada will vary depending on the place you choose for yourself. If you are considering relocating to Toronto, you should know that the country’s biggest city is more expensive when it comes to utilities and transportation. At the same time, it is more affordable if you are planning on buying a home. Overall, the cost of living in Toronto is higher than one in VA.
Furthermore, suppose you are thinking about relocating to Ottawa because it is one of the best places to live in Ontario. In that case, you should be prepared to pay more for utilities and transportation. Also, those that are not afraid of breaking the language barrier and learning French might consider relocating to Montreal. However, even though Montreal offers some lower housing prices, you will still have to pay more for utilities.
If you are still wondering Is Vancouver more expensive than Toronto or how staying here is more affordable than settling in Ottawa, take a look at the table below where we compared the cities. You will see just how much money you will need for utilities, housing, and transportation.
| City | Utilities | Public Transportation Monthly Pass | Renting Apartment (1 bedroom) | Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $75 | $80 | $1,300 | $680 |
| Toronto | $130 | $125 | $1,310 | $665 |
| Ottawa | $120 | $96 | $980 | $270 |
| Montreal | $75 | $70 | $725 | $260 |
How Does the Housing Affect the Overall Cost of Living in Vancouver Canada
When you figure out how to move abroad, you should start thinking about putting a roof over your head. Are you looking for one of the best places to live with your family? Or maybe you are relocating with dogs and looking for a spot that will make your furry friend content and happy? Whatever the reason may be, there are plenty of locations in the metropolis you can check out.
However, don’t make a hasty moving mistake and sign the lease on the first place you find. Do your research, and you will find the place that ticks all the boxes. To know how housing affects the overall expenses, find out how much money you’ll need every month to cover rent or mortgage. According to data from the website Numbeo, those who want to become homeowners in Vancouver will be expected to pay $670 per square foot to buy an apartment outside the city center. While if you are going to rent, you’ll need around $1,225 for a one-bedroom apartment outside the center.
Where Should You Settle in if You Hope on Saving up on Housing Every Month
Some of the best places to live abroad don’t have to be the most expensive ones. If you are settling in VA, know that it is divided into 23 neighborhoods, and any of them can be your next home. However, if you are relocating on a budget, seek more affordable ones. According to the website moving2Canada, those are the following:
- Kitsilano is on the West Side, and it is a spot that attracts both families and students. Its vicinity to Kits and Jericho Beaches also make it extremely popular with newcomers. If you want to find a home with affordable rent, look south of West Broadway Street. Here you’ll pay anywhere between $550 and $850 a month for the apartment.
- South Granville is an excellent location for people looking to be close to Downtown. The area is well connected via express bus lines. However, if you hire an international moving company, you can use their vehicle shipping overseas service and allow them to deliver your car so that you can drive. With a car on your hands, you can drive around anywhere.
- North VA is a popular neighborhood among newcomers because it is very family-oriented, affordable, and easily accessible. If you are moving to Canada with pets that require vast open spaces or if you are an outdoor enthusiast, North VA is the best location for you. You will be in the North Shore mountains’ vicinity, ideal for snowboarding, skiing, and biking.
What Are the Prices of Utilities and Groceries
Paying for basic utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, garbage, and water is something you will have to do no matter where you happen to be. Vancouverites spend, on average, $70 every month for the basic utilities. Furthermore, if you want to have the internet be prepared to give away an additional $60 for unlimited data ADSL. Also, if you are worried about how to keep in touch with friends and family in the first few weeks consider getting a prepaid mobile tariff that costs $0.31, at least until you get a plan.
Next on the agenda should be food. If you love to cook on your own, having groceries as a part of your budget is a must. Data from StatCan shows that an average household in British Columbia spends roughly $525 a month on groceries, which is $210 per person. This number will vary from person to person, and it will depend on your diet, markets, and how much you like to eat.
Enjoying Restaurant Food Comes With a Price
Canadians are big on dining out, and almost 55% of them eat in restaurants at least once a week. If you are settling in VA, know that this might not be one of the best vegan cities in the world, but it surely has plenty of dining options for everybody’s taste. That’s why if you want to fit in and you adopt dining out culture, be prepared to pay around $15 for a meal in an inexpensive eatery. If you want to treat yourself to a three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant, you’ll need around $30. Furthermore, grabbing a cup of cappuccino will set you back for $4, while you’ll be charged $5.50 for a pint of domestic beer.
What Are Other Expenses You Have to Think About Every Month
There is more to life than just paying bills and buying groceries. When you are calculating how much money you’ll need every month in VA, don’t forget those other, smaller day-to-day expenses. You might not notice them, but they surely affect your budget in the long run.
If you opt for using public transportation, know that the city is covered with an extensive network of bus, metro, and railroad lines. According to data from the website Numbeo, a one-way ticket is $2.32, while a monthly pass is approximately $75. Those that opt for driving should know that a gallon of gas is $4.05.
Next on the list of expenses should be healthcare. Luckily, you’ll be relocating to a place with a high ranked universal public medicare system. This way, you will receive affordable healthcare where, according to the website Expatistan, a visit to a private doctor is $120. If you get sick, you’ll need $26 for a box of antibiotics and $8 for a cold medicine like Tylenol.
Cost of Living in Vancouver Is Affected by Entertainment Expenses
CA is one of the friendliest countries in the world, meaning that people living here are accepting and welcoming of newcomers, and Vancouverites are no different. Making friends here will be easy, just invite colleagues or neighbors for a fun day out. Going to the movies and buying two tickets will set you back for $24, while if you want more up-class outings, two theater tickets for the best seats available will cost you $210.
Those who prefer having fun while being active should be prepared to pay around $12 to rent a tennis court and $40 for a monthly gym membership. Furthermore, if you are enjoying sports, you’ll love catching a hockey game or two, and seasonal tickets for watching Canucks are $140, according to Tickets IQ.
What Salary Do You Need to Live in Vancouver
When looking for work, you should know What is the average salary in Vancouver. This way, you will know how to negotiate with your future employer and land a bigger paycheck that can cover all of your expenses. According to the website PayScale, the average salary in the metropolis is roughly $47,620. This amount will vary depending on the career you are pursuing, the top paid ones are:
- A software engineer who earns $59,900 a year,
- Project manager with a yearly salary of $58,400,
- A software developer who earns $54,550 annually.
However, even though you know the average salary, that still doesn’t mean you know just how much money you need to live comfortably. Information from the website LowestRates shows that you need to earn around $36,830 yearly or at least $3,050 a month to live comfortably.
What Are the Costs of Moving Abroad to CA
Have you researched how to move to another country? Even though you will be relocating just across the border, it is still a big change. You’ll have to gather all the documents to travel abroad and then think about the necessary steps for acquiring the work permit. Overall you’ll have a lot of things on your plate. That’s where hiring Vancouver international movers come in handy.
A professional overseas moving company can provide you with a variety of services, from packing your belongings to international moving. Having a professional crew as your assistant means you don’t have to worry about a thing. However, that comes with a price.
Data from the website WorldFreightRates shows that shipping your stuff from New York to VA will knock around $2,850 out of your wallet. However, if you live on the US’s West coast and you choose to ship your belongings from Los Angeles, you’ll need around $565 to do so. Keep in mind that the prices will vary depending on the volume of your things as well as the location you are shipping from.
Is It Becoming Vancouverite Worth the Trouble of Moving Internationally
Does living in Canada, especially in VA, sound tempting? With plenty of employment opportunities, affordable healthcare, and various housing options, this is the spot that attracts everybody, from career chasers and families to students and outdoor enthusiasts. That’s why when you are thinking about relocation, don’t hesitate to call a professional overseas shipping company to help you. Movers will take care of everything, you won’t have to figure out things like how to pack shoes, nor will you have to think about boxing up your jewelry.
Keep in mind that you might not be moving overseas, but still, you’ll be relocating to another country, and hiring movers to help you is a smart decision. Use the free time to go over your budget, look for work, and a roof over your head. Finally, when push comes to shove, you’ll see that the benefits of becoming a Vancouverite are worth relocating.
