Vancouver

Typical rents (2025)

• 1-bedroom downtown or in the West End: $2,600-$3,100
• 1-bedroom in Burnaby, Surrey or East Vancouver: $2,000-$2,400
• 3-bedroom: $4,000-$6,000
• Room in a shared house: $1,000-$1,500

Basement suites in family homes are common and often cheaper, but check that the unit is legal and has proper exits and heating.

Rules

BC landlords can ask for a security deposit of up to half a month's rent (plus up to half a month for a pet). Rent increases for existing tenants are limited each year (3% for 2025 and 2.3% for 2026). Disputes go to the Residential Tenancy Branch.

Monthly budget

A single person renting a 1-bedroom needs about $4,000-$5,000 a month. In a shared house, $2,600-$3,200 is realistic. A family of four often needs $8,000-$10,000.

• Groceries: $450-$650 per person
• Utilities: $100-$180 (BC Hydro electricity is relatively cheap)
• Internet: $70-$100
• Mobile: $35-$65
• Gym: $50-$90

Eating out

Casual meals are $20-$30, and Vancouver has some of the best and most affordable sushi and dim sum outside Asia. A coffee costs $5-$6.

Taxes

BC adds 5% GST plus 7% PST on most goods. There are no MSP premiums; they were abolished in 2020.

Childcare

Many licensed centres offer $10-a-day spaces under ChildCareBC, and others receive fee reductions, but finding a space can take many months.

Main industries

• Tech: Amazon, Microsoft, SAP, EA, Clio and many gaming and visual effects studios.
• Film and TV: one of North America's largest production centres, often called Hollywood North.
• Trade and logistics: the Port of Vancouver is Canada's busiest.
• Clean tech, natural resources and construction.
• Healthcare and education, including UBC and major hospitals.

Salaries

Software developers typically earn $90,000-$140,000, and trades such as electricians $70,000-$100,000. BC's minimum wage is $17.85 an hour from June 2025.

Tips

Many tech roles are hybrid or remote. The BC Provincial Nominee Program targets tech, healthcare and trades workers and can speed up permanent residence.

TransLink

TransLink runs the SkyTrain (Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines), buses, the SeaBus ferry to North Vancouver and the West Coast Express commuter train.

• Pay with a Compass card or tap a credit card or phone.
• Fares are based on 3 zones for SkyTrain and SeaBus; buses are always 1 zone.
• A 1-zone monthly pass costs about $110, rising to about $204 for 3 zones.

The Canada Line runs from downtown to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in about 25 minutes. The Broadway Subway extension is under construction.

Cycling and walking

Vancouver has an extensive network of protected bike lanes and the famous seawall. Mobi bike share operates across the central city.

Driving

Car insurance is provided by the public insurer ICBC. Traffic across bridges can be heavy at rush hour.

Everyday life

Vancouverites spend a lot of time outside, whatever the weather. Weekend plans often mean hiking, skiing, cycling or kayaking. The city is relaxed and casual, and athleisure is standard office wear in some places.

Outdoors

• Stanley Park and the 28 km seawall for walking and cycling.
• Grouse, Cypress and Seymour mountains for skiing and hiking, 30 minutes from downtown.
• Whistler, about 2 hours away on the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
• Beaches at Kitsilano, English Bay and Spanish Banks.

Food and culture

Richmond's Asian food scene is outstanding. Granville Island Public Market, craft breweries in Mount Pleasant and the Vancouver International Film Festival are local favourites.

Community

Newcomers sometimes find Vancouver friendly but hard to make close friends in. Join sports clubs, hiking groups and community centres to meet people.