How Much Does Living in Vancouver Cost?

Previous Thread Next Thread
R

Relax10

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2019
716
571
93
So a younger relative of mine is considering moving to Van this spring with a good degree in Communications. However, will most likely need a few years trying to get their feet wet in an industry and company. I was asked this morning what is a decent wage/income for someone just starting out after University life. Im not sure so I looked it up some stuff and found this article written Oct 21, 2021. Im not sure I agree with those numbers but they probably have more data on this then I do. Yes I know there are other options outside the city to live in.

Thoughts, feedback, opinions from the Lounge..........

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/how-much-money-live-alone-vancouver

Housing/Utilities: $2,219.26
Phone: $101
Transportation: $105
Groceries/Household Items: $345.56
Dining Out: $220
Partying: $180
Health and Fitness: $61.33
Coffee: $60
Extras: $125

Total: $3,417.15 per month. $41,005.80 annually

Average net salary in Vancouver is $55,412.64

 
vanperb

vanperb

What makes a good man?
Jul 9, 2008
1,668
2,485
113
M

milemiles

Well-known member
Jul 29, 2018
422
577
93
Really depends on how they want to live.
That budget is transit only. No taxis ubers or modos definitely not your own wheels. So it depends on if they can find an apartment near work. Finding an apartment period is tricky right now
The grocery budget sounds like a lot of rice and beans.
They can’t be big partiers. And they’d have to find dates in the same financial bracket.
So yes it’s all possible. Just depends what they want or are used to.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: CGYnew00 and Newb808
N

Newb808

Well-known member
Feb 12, 2019
854
393
63
Coffee $60? That barely covers a daily fast food brewed coffee. $101 for transport as in one zone translink pass and no Ubers or taxis unless you want to break the « extras » bank with three uses… Partying for $180!?… certainly not the type of partying oft referred to here on PERB or it’s gonna be a very short party 🎉 😂 I don’t know anyone who spends so much for housing and so little on everything else but I guess they’re out there.
 
vanperb

vanperb

What makes a good man?
Jul 9, 2008
1,668
2,485
113
N

Newb808

Well-known member
Feb 12, 2019
854
393
63
vanperb said:
If it's in Vancouver 1br / 1bathroom 550sqft apt will set you back 2k a month easy.
Seriously, take a look. https://vancouver.craigslist.org/se...ooms=1&availabilityMode=0&sale_date=all+dates

Burnaby is about 1800. Surrey 1500.
I'm curious, what do you consider the standard cost of rent?
Click to expand...
I don’t think I have a standard cost off the top of my head. I’m just saying I don’t know anyone who makes so little and spends so much on housing, but barely anything else.
I’ll add to that if I hadn’t bit the bullet on a studio years ago I’d be one of those 40 year olds with roommates or live at least 500 kilometres from here now lol.
 
MB Mod

MB Mod

Moderator
Sep 17, 2017
3,271
14,525
113
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: sybian, Ickypootang and white Ninja
masterpoonhunter

masterpoonhunter

"Marriage should be a renewable contract"
Sep 15, 2019
3,021
5,067
113
Cost of housing has seriously changed Vancouver. That plus property taxes in particular for small businesses. The developers rule now. Just drive down Kingsway, Fraser, Main Street, every main drag plus 2 even 3 adjacent streets, all multi family units. And favourite hangouts, stores etc all disappearing. Was on W10th out near UBC before Christmas and so many of the funky places out there were boarded up.

On rent, I helped a couple of young folks (30-ish) moving here from Toronto last fall, they needed a 2BR, parking, did not want a high rise, they were in way better shape than others money wise. But it was tough - finally in January they found a 2BR, maybe 700 sqft, 2nd floor of a 4 story 20-some unit building, $2250 plus power plus internet a month. Got lucky, most folks telling them they got a deal that the landlord could have hit them for $3K.

The exodus of folks who can leave the GVRD is pretty prolific, just look at how much Chilliwack's housing went up last 18 months (44%), Victoria, the Okanagan. I don't know, I think even out near Sybian's ranch, the costs are out of hand. The kids today in the lower mainland are just not going to be living like I was coming up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: westwoody, Ickypootang, Relax10 and 1 other person
white Ninja

white Ninja

Banned
Dec 8, 2021
2,202
3,174
113
3 things on their are grossly under budgeted lles.

Even if you only shop at NO frills $345 a month is not enough to live on for groceries for most fully functioning adults ( especially if they’re males ). But that would go for most major North American cities and pretty much anywhere in B.C. Especially if you want to eat healthy or eat clean etc.

Dining out $220. So they will either dine out w friends twice a month ? So pretty much no social life, or very very limited one. You will constantly be turning down invites cause you cant afford it until people just stop asking.
Or if you go on a date and you are a guy thats like 1.5 dates a month ? One date dinner for two at a descent place ( not crazy expensive just descent ) will cost you close to $100, and if she says lets go fo drinks after then thats another $100. Then you’re tapped till next month ?
And what if you DO get a girlfriend ? You only see her once or twice a month then with your $200 budget ?

$180 for partying ? Give me a break. Even if you only party exclusively at the “ Cambie “ pub , “ Ivonhoe “ or “ Old American “ on Main st, $180 still isn’t enough to have a descent social life.

ZERO argument from me that Vancouver can be a very tough city financially now a days , especially if you aren’t earning at least a certain amount.
But realistically all three of those figures need to be at least doubled to be realistic or tripled to have enough financial freedom to have a normal life without being stressed from it. I know this because I spent a year at a job that didn’t turn out to be what it promised. Sure I could live and pay my bills in Vancouver but that was literally it. Very hard year indeed. So I speak from experience. $40,000 is the bare minimum you need to earn in Van now a days .

And if you want to date nowadays, every attractive girl is getting hit up on dating apps like crazy so ya you can have a couple dates that are creative and woo her w your charm, etc, perhaps even three if you guys really have a connection or she’s just really into you, but if you like her and want to keep seeing her, eventually your gonna have to have some money to do stuff w her. More than $200 for dining out per month and $180 for fun. Not to sound harsh but to be blunt and real, thats just not going to cut it unfortunately.

Of course a lot of people in Vancouver do find ways to get creative ( much like N.Y ), some trade skills / services for other services or dinners at restaurants etc, some live w room mates well into their 40’s, so there are ways to make things easier if you have to and you want to be here enough. But in the end the best solution is to work towards earning more money.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mika Dupont and Relax10
J

johnnydepth

Average Sized Member
Nov 14, 2015
1,644
452
83
winnipeg
That looks fairly realistic for a Winnipeg budget. Groceries a little light, rent a little high. I'd be amazed if someone could make a go in Vancouver with that budget.
 
masterpoonhunter

masterpoonhunter

"Marriage should be a renewable contract"
Sep 15, 2019
3,021
5,067
113
Throwing in here on food costs. Not dining out, booze/wine, entertaining etc, coffee cafe visits that kind of thing are all discretionary.

Older male here, clocking in at 195lbs, fit, active, 5 day a week workout routine, lifting, cardio etc, regular pooner, really happy to be healthy this late in the game. I live by myself but I do have visitors so some shared breakfasts, dinners. All in all though I eat well.

I don't eat steak and burgers/pizza like I did in my 20-30's. Past 15 years in particular I'd say I'm about 90% vegetarian so am a regular at my local Kin's market and my Costco shopping is generally for black beans, lentils, basmati, quinoa, that kind of thing. Cruciferous salads, tend to be a mainstay for me. And since I know how to cook, my meals are pretty damn yummy. Fair bit of fish in there too. My gumbo is to die for!
IF I buy a pack of chicken breasts or thighs or some pork tenderloin at Costco my monthly food cost can get up to maybe $450/500 but I would say my food costs are about $4K a year. Not holding back either.

Since I 'got healthy' years back and have become a bit of a health nut, I feel one can eat really well with a bit of care and understanding of how to do it. $345/month is doable but that would be scrimping. $400 should be just fine. But hey, that's me and I can say emphatically I spend more on this hobby than I do on food, booze and specialty coffees.
 
  • Like
Reactions: white Ninja
vanperb

vanperb

What makes a good man?
Jul 9, 2008
1,668
2,485
113
Relax10 said:
Total: $3,417.15 per month. $41,005.80 annually
Average net salary in Vancouver is $55,412.64
Click to expand...
Just wanted to add
  • 41K NET IS 52K GROSS
  • 55k NET is 72K GROSS
Honestly, I don't know how any of you all are under 30 and manage to find money to poon.
And I also don't know how anyone financially responsible in the GVRD has children.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: pizzaboy, Ickypootang, Newb808 and 1 other person
westwoody

westwoody

Well-known member
Jun 10, 2004
7,421
6,532
113
Westwood
vanperb said:
Just wanted to add
  • 41K NET IS 52K GROSS
  • 55k NET is 72K GROSS
Honestly, I don't know how any of you all are under 30 and manage to find money to poon.
And I also don't know how anyone financially responsible in the GVRD has children.
Click to expand...
This leaves nothing for savings, a rainy day fund, or an RRSP/TFSA.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Relax10
R

Relax10

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2019
716
571
93
vanperb said:
Just wanted to add
  • 41K NET IS 52K GROSS
  • 55k NET is 72K GROSS
Honestly, I don't know how any of you all are under 30 and manage to find money to poon.
And I also don't know how anyone financially responsible in the GVRD has children.
Click to expand...
Excellent point....

In my 20's I only went once a month. Sparing $200 wasnt bad. Money well spent that helped me gain valuable experience in this hobby. Just added it into my budget like food and car payment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Ashley Madison
Previous Thread Next Thread
Vancouver Escorts
Top Bottom