Finance

Cost of living in Vancouver: Food, transport, and more

Discover the cost of living in Vancouver in 2025 to choose your next destination in Canada. Learn all about expenses and daily costs.

The cost of living in Vancouver ranks among the highest nationwide. Therefore, if you’re considering moving there, it’s essential to know an estimate of potential expenses for housing, food, transport and leisure. This city attracts many for its lifestyle, career opportunities and stunning landscapes. If you’re planning a move there in 2025, here you’ll find a clear breakdown of estimated costs.

Throughout this article, you’ll discover detailed information about prices in dollars and their euro equivalent. For example, you’ll learn the cost of renting a furnished flat in central Vancouver, what you’d spend at the supermarket on basics like milk or chicken and the average price of a meal at a local restaurant. This way, you can compare, evaluate your budget and decide if Vancouver suits your plans.

In this article

Average housing cost in Vancouver

Housing represents the largest expense for both residents and newcomers in Vancouver. The city stands out for high rents compared with other Canadian cities because of strong demand. Here are average 2025 prices:

Furnished flat in city centre (1 bedroom): About $2,300 (€2,120) monthly.
Furnished flat outside centre (1 bedroom): Approx. $1,900 (€1,750) monthly.
Coliving in well-connected areas: Between $1,200–1,500 (€1,100–1,380) monthly, depending on included services.
Airbnb for long stays (over 1 month): Around $2,500 (€2,300) monthly for a full space with kitchen.

These prices reflect mid-range choices, neither luxury nor overly basic. Therefore, if you plan to move to Vancouver, housing should take a significant part of your monthly budget.

Food costs in Vancouver

Food expenses in Vancouver vary depending on lifestyle. Local supermarkets stock international products and Canadian options. To illustrate better, we checked 2025 prices at Walmart:

1 litre of milk: $2.30 (€2.10)
12 eggs: $4.50 (€4.15)
1 kilo of chicken breast: $13 (€11.90)
1 kilo of beef: $17 (€15.50)
500 g of pasta: $2 (€1.85)
100 g of chocolate: $2.80 (€2.55)
250 g of ground coffee: $6 (€5.45)

When eating out, prices are also high compared with other Canadian cities. However, locals can still find affordable restaurants:

Breakfast in local café: $12 (€11) on average
Lunch at simple restaurant: $20 (€18.20) per person
Dinner at mid-range restaurant: $35 (€31.80) per person

This means someone combining supermarket shopping with occasional dining out may spend $400–600 (€365–550) monthly on food, depending on habits.

Vancouver is cosmopolitan and a media hub. Stanley Park, Canada’s largest urban park, even exceeds Central Park. @unsplash

Transport prices in Vancouver

Getting around Vancouver involves several transport options. The public system, managed by TransLink, includes buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus ferries.

Public transport fare: A single journey within one zone costs $3.15 (€2.85), while a monthly unlimited pass costs about $120 (€109).
Taxi: Base fare is $3.90 (€3.55), each extra kilometre adds $2 (€1.85).
Uber: A short central trip costs $10–15 (€9–13.65).
Petrol: Average price in 2025 is $1.80 (€1.65) per litre.
Electric vehicle charging: Average cost is $0.25 (€0.23) per kWh.
Bike rental (Mobi by Shaw Go): Annual subscription costs $130 (€119), a monthly pass $20 (€18.20). A single 30-minute ride costs $2.75 (€2.50).
Car insurance: Mandatory ICBC insurance averages $1,800 (€1,640) yearly for a driver with standard history.
Cost of a popular new car: A 2025 Toyota Corolla, one of the bestsellers, costs about $25,000 (€22,700) in Canada.

Public transport subscription cost in Vancouver

If you plan to stay in Vancouver for months, a public transport pass is more cost-effective than paying per ride. TransLink offers several options:

1-zone monthly pass: $120 (€109)
2-zone monthly pass: $170 (€154)
3-zone monthly pass: $230 (€209)
Student half-year pass (U-Pass): $45 (€41) monthly

These passes give unlimited access to buses, SkyTrain and SeaBus, making them the most convenient choice for regular residents.

Healthcare costs in Vancouver

Healthcare in Canada is public and high quality, but access depends on immigration status. In British Columbia, residents must register with the Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, international students, temporary workers or visitors need private insurance during their first months.

Access to the public system: Foreigners with long-term study or work visas can join MSP after a three-month wait. The plan costs $75 (€68) monthly per adult.
Private health insurance: For those not eligible for MSP or needing immediate cover, private insurance costs $90–150 (€82–136) monthly, depending on the plan.
Private medical service prices:
- General consultation: $100–130 (€91–118)
- Basic dental consultation $150–200 (€136–182)
- Appendicitis surgery: About $15,000 (€13,600) without insurance
Over-the-counter medicines:
- Painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen, 24 tablets): $8–12 (€7–11)
- Cough syrup: $12–15 (€11–13.60)
- Antihistamines: $15–18 (€13.60–16.40)

Having insurance, whether public or private, is crucial to avoid high expenses during medical emergencies.

Founded in Gastown and home of the first California sushi roll, the city is a major seaport and brewing hub. @unsplash

Internet and mobile plan prices in Vancouver

Vancouver has excellent tech infrastructure, and several companies provide reliable telecom services.

Home broadband: A 150 Mbps plan costs about $75 (€68) monthly, while a 1 Gbps plan can reach $110 (€100).
Local mobile plans: Mobile packages with calls and data are pricier than in many countries. A plan with 20 GB of data, unlimited minutes and texts costs about $65 (€59) monthly.

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Leisure activity costs in Vancouver

Vancouver offers diverse entertainment, from cultural experiences to outdoor adventures. Here are some average 2025 prices:

Cinema ticket: $16 (€14.60)
Zoo ticket (Greater Vancouver Zoo): $25 (€22.70)
Theatre ticket: $40–60 (€36–55)
Netflix subscription: $16 (€14.60) monthly
Disney+ subscription: $13 (€11.90) monthly
Basic gym membership: $55 (€50) monthly
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park ticket: $70 (€64)
Vancouver Art Gallery ticket: $25 (€22.70)

Outdoor activity costs in Vancouver

Vancouver is renowned for its natural surroundings and outdoor lifestyle. Hiking, cycling or water sports can be free using public parks and beaches. However, some activities involve extra costs:

Annual pass for Canada’s national parks (Parks Canada Discovery Pass): $76 (€69) per adult.
Mountain bike rental for a day: $70 (€64).
Kayak rental in False Creek (2 hours): $45 (€41).
Whistler Blackcomb ski season pass: $1,000 (€1,270).

These options show that while free activities exist, sports and tourist experiences can significantly increase the monthly leisure budget.

Monthly cost of living summary in Vancouver

Living in Vancouver in 2025 is expensive compared with other Canadian cities. A single person may need $2,500–3,200 (€2,270–2,900) monthly, covering housing, food, transport, internet and leisure. Families must calculate a higher budget, especially for rent and healthcare costs.

Frequently asked questions about Vancouver’s cost of living

Is living in Vancouver expensive compared with other Canadian cities?

Yes, Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in the country, along with Toronto. Housing and food are the biggest expenses.

How much does it cost to rent a flat in Vancouver?

A one-bedroom flat in the city centre averages $2,300 (€2,120) monthly, while outside the centre it’s around $1,900 (€1,750).

How much should I budget for monthly food?

An individual may spend $400–600 (€365–550) monthly, mixing supermarket shopping with occasional restaurant meals.

Is public transport in Vancouver efficient and expensive?

Transport is efficient and covers the whole city. A monthly pass costs $120 (€109), while a single ride costs $3.15 (€2.85).

Is health insurance necessary in Vancouver?

Yes, it’s necessary. Foreigners need private health insurance during their first months or until they can access the public system, which prevents high costs during medical emergencies.