Living alone is truly a luxury in itself in BC. However, knowing the cost of living in different municipalities can help you budget and decide where it’s most realistic to live for the time being. So, we rounded up 5 major cities in the province using data from Numbeo to take a deeper look into the monthly expenses associated with living in each.

Numbeo is the world’s largest crowdsourced database for the cost of living. Users simply input the city, province, or country of their choice and Numbeo lists out a thorough breakdown of expenses, ranging from average rent to the average cost of a litre of milk.

So, let’s get into it. Here’s how much it costs to live alone in 5 major cities in BC.

Surrey

 

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We’ll start with Surrey, since it seems the real estate market isn’t on par with the City of Vancouver (in a good way!). According to Numbeo, a single person spends an estimated $1,218.48 per month, not including housing. This number is based on 440 entries over the past 12 months.

Here are some of the cost breakdowns for the average person living in Surrey:

  • Rent (one-bedroom): $1,694.44 per month in City Centre, $1,377.27 per month outside centre
  • Basic utilities: $226.78 per month
  • Internet: $88.89 per month
  • Transit pass: $120 per month
  • Fitness membership: $42.86 per month
  • Meal for two (mid-range restaurant): $70 for two

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Burnaby

 

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Numbeo states that rent prices in Surrey are 25.18% lower than in Burnaby, but grocery prices and several other monthly expenses are a bit cheaper in Burnaby. The cost of living for a single person is around $1,159.17 per month according to 266 entries in the past 12 months.

Here are some of the cost breakdowns for the average person living in Burnaby:

  • Rent (one-bedroom): $2,100 per month inside City Centre, $1,960 per month outside centre
  • Basic utilities: $143.33 per month
  • Internet: $84.38 per month
  • Transit pass: $134 per month
  • Fitness membership: $40 per month
  • Meal for two (mid-range restaurant): $80 for two

Coquitlam

 

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Based on 157 entries in the past 12 months, people in Coquitlam are spending around $1,129.05 per month to live alone.

Here are some of the cost breakdowns for the average person living in Coquitlam:

  • Rent (one-bedroom): $1,875 per month inside City Centre, $1,700 per month outside centre
  • Basic utilities: $112.42 per month
  • Internet: $75.62 per month
  • Transit pass: $120 per month
  • Fitness membership: $48 per month
  • Meal for two (mid-range restaurant): $72.50 for two

Victoria

Now, let’s hit the provincial capital, which is one of the most most “populous urban regions” in Canada. The cost of living alone, according to 1,244 entries over the past 12 months, is $1,270.31 per month excluding housing.

Here are some of the cost breakdowns for the average person living in Victoria:

  • Rent (one-bedroom): $1,977.34 per month inside City Centre, $1,609 per month outside centre
  • Basic utilities: $130.37 per month
  • Internet: $96.71 per month
  • Transit pass: $85 per month
  • Fitness membership: $67.81 per month
  • Meal for two (mid-range restaurant): $90 for two

Vancouver

We saved the most expensive for last. Though it’s probably no shock to anyone living in the city, the cost of living for a single person is around $1,316.25 per month without rent. This number is based on a whopping 2,996 entries in the past 12 months.

Here are some of the cost breakdowns for the average person living in Vancouver:

  • Rent (one-bedroom): $2,340.85 per month in City Centre, $1,978.21 per month outside of centre
  • Basic utilities: $113.80 per month
  • Internet: $83.82 per month
  • Transit pass: $130 per month
  • Fitness membership: $64.09 per month
  • Meal for two (mid-range restaurant): $115 for two

And that’s how much the cost of living is in these 5 BC cities. If you’re wallet is feeling a little down and out after reading this, here are some budget-friendly things to do in the Vancouver area this fall.

Curiocity Staff

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