Moving to Vancouver: Our Guide for Newcomers

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Moving to Vancouver: Our Guide for Newcomers!

Vancouver is located in the southwest corner of the coastal province of British Columbia. There’s so much to see and do in this city. Vancouver was named after Captain George Vancouver, a British officer of the Royal Navy most famous for his expeditions from 1791 to 1795. Many historical monuments and architectural landmarks can be found in this city.

Vancouver is also home to North America’s largest city park. Stanley Park is bigger than Central Park in New York. Our Newcomers Guide covers all the basics, from salaries to food and transportation. Let’s dive in!

Living in Vancouver: What to Expect

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The views are stunning everywhere you look in Vancouver

From any angle you look at the skyline in Vancouver, the views are stunning. Here are examples of some of the picturesque landmarks to visit when living in Vancouver:

The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Known as the Castle in the City, this hotel was founded in 1916. It reflects the timeless luxury of the metropolis.

Chinatown Millennium Gate. Located in one of North America’s largest historic Chinatown neighborhoods, this towering entrance is a must see.
Stanley Park Totem Poles. Stanley Park’s totem poles at Brockton Point are important symbols of British Columbia’s Indigenous heritage and culture. They are one of the most visited places in the province.

Other notable places include BC Place Stadium, Gastown Steam Clock, Vancouver Art Gallery, Granville Island, English Bay, and Queen Elizabeth Park.

It rains a lot in Vancouver, but it’s not as cold as the rest of Canada.

Vancouver has surprisingly mild winters compared to many other cities in Canada. It rains a lot in the winter in Vancouver, but it’s not as cold as the rest of Canada. Most rainy days are in January, February, March, April, October, November, and December, with November bringing the most days of rain.

If you plan on moving to Vancouver in any of these months, ensure you get the proper waterproof gear as it can get very wet. Vancouver averages about 92 inches of rain yearly. Vancouver also makes the list of Canada’s hottest cities, with an average daily temperature of 57°F. Major cities on the list include Toronto and London, both in Ontario with average temperatures of 55°F. Winnipeg, Manitoba has an average temperature of 48°F and Calgary, Alberta has an average temperature of 51°F.

(*Weather and Climate & Climate Data)

What’s there to do in Vancouver in the rain?

It’s not all dark and gloomy when it rains in Vancouver. On the contrary, the city offers fantastic entertainment options even with a downpour. Here are fun activities to do in Vancouver in the rain:

Vancouver Art Gallery: The Vancouver Art Gallery exhibits works of art by local British Columbian and international artists in an old, beautiful building. In addition to housing more than 11,000 works of art, the gallery is an excellent resource for learning about British Columbia’s history.
Bloedel Conservatory: The Bloedel Conservatory is situated on the top of Queen Elizabeth Park and is a beautiful glass dome filled with a tropical paradise of plants and animals. There are over 500 species of plants in the conservatory and over 100 species of beautiful exotic birds.
Vancouver Lookout: Visit the Harbour Centre building for some of the best views of Vancouver. The Vancouver Lookout is one of Vancouver’s most prominent and most famous landmarks. You can see the spaceship-like structure from almost anywhere in the city.
Gastown: In Gastown, you’ll find some cute, cozy coffee shops and cafes – an ideal place to stop during a rainy day in Vancouver. You can wander down its cobblestone streets and gaze at the twinkly lights hanging from the trees as they reflect off the puddles.
Visit a Brewery: If you like craft beer or simply enjoy trying local pubs and breweries, Vancouver is a great place to be! The best local beers in Vancouver can be found East of the downtown core.

Literally everything is expensive when living in Vancouver

According to Mercer’s 2021 Cost of Living Survey, Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada. The average cost of living in Vancouver is higher than the national average, partly because the city is an important tourist center. Housing and rent are expensive, groceries are also costly. Everything is expensive when living in Vancouver—going to see a movie can cost as much as CAD $15 for a regular ticket. However, some things are incredibly affordable in the megacity when compared to other places in Canada. For example, the cost of transportation is cheaper in Vancouver than in Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton. Here’s a chart of the average cost of living in Vancouver.

Average cost of living in Vancouver

Type of Charge	Monthly Cost
Housing 1-bed apartment	$2000
Utility Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage and Internet	$175
Transportation Monthly Pass – Regular fare	$105
Entertainment Restaurant, movie & gym	$155
Groceries Fresh produce & refrigerated items X2	$320
Total	$2757

(*Numbeo)

Why is Vancouver so expensive?

Vancouver is so expensive because:

Vancouver offers a high standard of living and megacity amenities. However, the outstanding quality of life comes at more cost.
The city has a high salary average. The average salary in Vancouver is around CAD $73,000 yearly. Its average hourly wage is CAD $35 per hour.
The government taxes are higher than in other parts of the country. For example, the sales tax is 8.4%.
The weather and the views are stunning compared to other places in Canada.
The city is a popular tourist attraction. Yet, as in every tourist hotspot, prices of commodities tend to rise.

Salaries are high, and job opportunities are plentiful in Vancouver.

One good thing about living in Vancouver is that the salaries are high enough to match the high cost of living and the job opportunities are plentiful. The average salary, as mentioned above, is CAD $73,000 per year.

For job seekers, Vancouver offers excellent job opportunities. Specific industries provide more job opportunities and higher pay than the others, including Technology, Engineering, Health, and Finance. Ten of the most sought-after jobs in Vancouver include Web Developer, Electrical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Veterinarians, Pharmacist, Financial Advisor, Project Manager, Business Development Manager, Human Resources and Recruitment Officer and Industrial Electrician.

(*Salary Expert)

What salary do you need to live in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, you need a salary of around CAD $55,000 to live comfortably.

Vancouver’s Bike Share Program (Mobi) is convenient

Since 2016, Mobi by Shaw Go has been providing bike-sharing to those visiting or living in Vancouver. Mobility bikes are the city’s official bike share system. They are owned and run by Vancouver Bike Share Inc., a subsidiary of Cyclehop LLC.

Approximately 200 Mobi stations are located all over Vancouver, including the Eastside, where there is a higher concentration of low-income residents, making Vancouver’s Bike Share Program, Mobi, convenient and accessible. A mandatory helmet law in British Columbia also requires Mobi to equip all of its bikes with helmets. Members are entitled to unlimited 30-minute rides within 30 days. If the ride exceeds 30 minutes, there is an overage charge of $6 per extra 30 minutes.

(*Mobi Bikes)

Living near a SkyTrain is a smart choice

The SkyTrain is the rapid transit rail system serving Metro Vancouver, British Columbia. It uses mainly Advanced Light Rapid Transit (ALRT) technology, an automated rail system that operates primarily on a raised guideway, although some sections run underground or at street level. The system is run by TransLink, the provincial transit agency for the South Coast of British Columbia. It was the world’s first driverless urban rail system.

The SkyTrain has three lines connecting 53 stations in seven municipalities. Hence, living near a SkyTrain is a smart choice because it allows you to quickly gain access to many parts of the city and other municipalities and saves you from getting stuck in the city’s insane traffic. It costs CAD $100.25 to get the monthly pass to ride the SkyTrain in one zone.

(*TransLink)

Vancouver is divided into different areas

If you are moving to Vancouver soon, you are probably thinking of where exactly you should stay. Generally, Vancouver is divided into four areas: Central, West Side, East Side, and South Vancouver. These general areas are further divided into neighborhoods commonly known simply as areas. Thus, Vancouver is into 22 distinct areas. Among the best areas to live in Vancouver are Gastown and Yaletown.

(*City of Vancouver)

There are a lot of diverse foods and restaurants in Vancouver

The city of Vancouver is home to many different cultures. Immigrants make up a considerable portion of its population. As a result, the city has a long tradition of variety and cultural cuisine worldwide, but most prominently from Japan. Generally, British Columbia has such a rich food culture thanks to the fantastic array of food and local produce from the region’s fertile natural landscapes and shorelines.

That is why there are a lot of diverse foods and restaurants in Vancouver. If you’re moving to Vancouver, here are some must-try foods from the fancy restaurants to the street food markets: The BC Roll, Salmon, Japanese Fusion, Okanagan Fruit, Fresh Crab, Salt Spring Meat, Fish Tacos, Puffcream, and Avocado Toast on Sourdough Bread.

If you love the outdoors, Living in Vancouver is right for you

In and around Vancouver, there are numerous exciting excursions that you can enjoy. You can hike, bike, or paddle out to scenic coves, forest peaks, and river canyons in this city and its surroundings throughout the year. Therefore, there’s no doubt that living in Vancouver is right for you if you love the outdoors.

Here are some great outdoor activities that will excite you about moving to Vancouver. In Vancouver, you can ski or snowboard at Cypress Mountain, skate at Grouse Mountain’s Skating Pond, watch whales around the Gulf Islands, walk the 230 ft high Capilano Suspension Bridge, Kayak at Deep Cove, or enjoy Whitewater rafting down Squamish River.

Conclusion

Moving to Vancouver is a no-brainer if you can afford it. The premium city life, the excellent infrastructure, beautiful scenery, rich history, culture, and immersion in nature are enough to convince any one of the comfort living in Vancouver offers. If that’s not enough, the amazing food scene and great outdoor activities are excellent reasons to consider the move.

Remember, Vancouver offers high-paying jobs in many different fields, meaning it’s a perfect city for professionals and to grow a successful career. Are you planning on moving to Vancouver soon? Ensure you use a mover in Vancouver you can trust with your properties.

The Pros and Cons of Living in Vancouver

Pros

Great job opportunities
High average salary and hourly wage
Diverse foods and restaurants
Amazing outdoors and stunning scenery

Cons

High cost of real estate
High sales tax rate
The cost of utilities is expensive
Regular traffic jams

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The 5 Best Long Distance Moving Companies in Vancouver that you can trust.

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Moving is one of the most stressful things you can ever do. Whether it is residential moving, long distance moving, moving cross borders, or commercial moving, the process can be a disaster if you don’t trust the right long distance moving company.

There are several factors that determine whether you can trust a long-distance moving company. It should have a strong record of accomplishment, it should be well accredited by organizations such as Canadian Mover’s Association and Better Business Bureau, it should provide insurance, and it should be able to handle everything from packing to unloading.

You can find dozens of recommendations over the internet. However, it is difficult to weed out the good from the bad. To help make the task easier for you, we have compiled a detailed list of the best long-distance movers in Vancouver.

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Best Home Security Systems in Vancouver

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This piece will highlight the Best Security Companies located in Vancouver that can help to protect you and your family!

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Everything You Must Know Before Moving from Toronto to Vancouver

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Everything you Must Know Before Moving from Toronto to Vancouver

There are several reasons why you need to move from one place to another. It could be for work, education, personal reasons, or you just want to live a new adventure. If you plan on moving from Toronto to Vancouver, perhaps one of your reasons is a change of scenery. Toronto has an estimated population of 6,254,571 and is the most populous city in Canada. It is a multicultural city and Canada’s commercial and financial centre. The city which is the capital of the province of Ontario houses four major theatres, large museums, the centre for Canadian film and television to name a few.

Vancouver might be considered a big city in Canada as well, however, its population is much lower than Toronto. With a population of more than two million, Vancouver offers a more laid-back environment. Moving to British Columbia offers easier access to outdoor activities like running, kayaking, cycling, rock climbing, and skiing are easy to access in the city.

Moving from Toronto to Vancouver

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Cost of Living: Comparison Between Toronto and Vancouver?

While you can think of what the environment feels like when you move, it is vital to consider how much you will need to spend to live comfortably in a new place. Check out the table below for comparisons of the two cities from housing, insurance rates, food, personal care, entertainment, and provincial taxes.

Monthly Cost of Living

Looking at the table below, you see that the cost of living in Toronto is more expensive. Being a bigger city, it has a more expensive average living cost in terms of utilities, transportation, grocery cost, and entertainment. However, if you plan to buy a car, Vancouver has a higher insurance cost compared to Toronto. This is primarily because the province of British Columbia, where Vancouver belongs, has the most expensive car insurance costs. The cost of living in Vancouver is pretty comparable to Toronto.

Category	Vancouver	Toronto
Housing	$1869 for a 1-bedroom apartment	$1708 For a 1-bedroom apartment
Housing Utilities and Insurance	$149	$215
Transportation	$98 (Translink)	$156 (TCC Pass)
Car Insurance	$1832	$1528
Entertainment	$211	$230
Grocery Cost for 1 Person	$227.35	$283.60
Communication (Phone and Internet)	$80 Unlimited talk, text, and data included	$80 Unlimited talk, text, and data included
Heath and Fitness	$55 for the membership	$55 for the membership
Provincial Taxes	About 12%	About 13%

What Are the Benefits of Moving to Vancouver From Toronto?

Housing prices in Vancouver and Toronto are quite high. However, in the case of Toronto, it has gone up ridiculously while Vancouver’s housing higher rates have plateaued.
Considering that Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the centre for business, finance, technology, entertainment, and culture, you can expect larger public transportation networks. Vancouver’s public transport, on the other hand, is efficient, on time, clean, and easy to use.
Both cities have nightlife too. In Toronto, you can expect people to enjoy city life. You can see people attending many events and concerts, eating out on the city’s diverse and impressive food options, and going out at night. Vancouver’s nightlife though is more low-key.

You may find Vancouver as expensive as Toronto when looking at the cost of living rates. The good thing about Vancouver is it may be a smaller city than Toronto, but you can still enjoy most of what Toronto has to offer. It is still a city, has an efficient public transportation network, has nightlife, and while you enjoy the city life, you can also experience nature.

Moving to Vancouver. Where Should You Live?

While you are researching for additional information about where you should live in Vancouver, you may have come across someone saying that the city is a mix of urban lifestyle and outdoor fun. That is indeed true, and we list the best areas to live in the city when moving.

Gastown

This is in the northwest end in downtown Vancouver, which has a mixed area of restaurants, shops, interior furnishing boutiques, nightclubs, fashion, and upscale housing. Gastown has professional offices for computer-based businesses, law firms, music studios, and art galleries.

Yaletown

Yaletown is popular for its late-night lounges, vibrant pubs, and waterfront parks where you can see public art everywhere.

Main Street

The place offers a more minimalistic approach with chic cafes and restaurants focusing on its local ingredients. Shops even sell local arts and ceramics.

Olympic Village

The Olympic Village is considered one of the greenest communities in the world. It has innovative techniques to reach targets like green roofs and solar heating panels.

Pros and Cons in Moving to Vancouver from Toronto

Pros

The city is nestled in between mountains and the ocean. There are several greenery around the city with forests and trails that you can explore.
The city experiences mild weather during winter. However, people from here can still expect some rain as it is in the Pacific Northwest.
Vancouver is great outdoors activities such as skiing, hiking, jogging and yoga.

Cons

The increase in crime rate, including property and violent crimes is one of the things you need to take note of when moving to Vancouver.
Vancouver has an expensive housing cost.
Vancouver is more laid back and homey, unlike the fast-paced life in Toronto.

What Are the Best Moving Solutions in Moving From Toronto to Vancouver?

Are you moving light or are you moving all your belongings and more to Vancouver? That’s the first question to ask yourself. Moving to Vancouver from Toronto can be a handful considering its distance. It’s about two thousand miles away from each city. The process can be a disaster if you do not select the best moving solution for you.

Renting a moving truck is practical if you are only moving with the bare minimum. When booking with the rental truck company make sure they accept one way travels. This means you can leave the car at another company’s location.

If you prefer letting the professional handle your move, there are many great long-distance moving companies with good reputations that you can trust. If they have accreditation from organizations like Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Mover’s Association, it’s even better.

Conclusion

Saying goodbye to Toronto and hello to Vancouver is quite a leap! If you are well informed on what to expect, your move will be a great one. Check our list of what to know when moving to BC for an even easier move!

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Piano’s are wonderful instruments that spark joy, which is why they are often brought along when moving. Piano’s are so fragile and heavy that it is best to have them moved by professional movers to avoid any injuries and to avoid any damage to the piano. Finding a piano mover that can be trusted to move your piano is no easy task, which is why we have created a list of the best piano movers based on the best customer reviews and ratings. So whether you need a regular or grand piano move, here are the 5 best piano movers you can trust in Vancouver!

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5 Best International Moving Companies in Vancouver that you can trust

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Moving internationally is one of the most stressful things you can ever do. Especially when you are moving out of Canada, into the United States or further across the world. Whether you are moving alone or have a whole family that is moving with you, the process can be a disaster if you don’t trust the right international moving company.

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How Much Does It Cost to Live in Vancouver – 2021

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How Much Does It Cost to Live in Vancouver?

Last updated on: November 12, 2021

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most densely populated cities and of North America. It is Canada’s third-largest metropolitan city as well as the most ethnically and linguistically diverse city. For ten consecutive years, the Economist Intelligence Unit has placed it at the top of most well-living cities in the world. The city is a permanent home to TED conferences since 2014 and has held the distinct honor of holding a number of international events.

Cost of living in Vancouver - 2021

Housing and Utilities Cost in Vancouver

Given below is a table that lists down the average prices of different types of apartments, their rents, and their costs in the city of Vancouver.

City District	Studio	1 Bedroom	2 Bedroom	3 + Bedroom
Downtown Vancouver	$1800	$2100	$3100	$5000
West End	$1590	$1850	$2600	$4350
South Granville	–	$1720	$2600	$3200
Kitsilano/Point Grey	$1770	$1878	$2465	$3650
Westside/Kerrisdale	$1649	$1845	$2375	$3855
Marpole	$1750	$1850	$2400	$2550
Mount Pleasant/Renfrew Heights	$1625	$2100	$2695	$4500
East Hastings	$1300	$1525	$1750	$2300
North Vancouver	$1916	$1960	$2518	$2980

Housing

Average rent price for 1 Bedroom apartment

$1869

(* Zumper)

Average Cost of Utilities

Electricity, Energy, Water and more

As Vancouver is located in the lower mainland region of British Columbia, the average rate of electricity is the same as for the whole province i.e. 12.4¢/kWh, which is on the more affordable side. If your apartment or house is averagely consuming around 1000kWh, your electric bill will come around $124. Other provinces providing similar or even cheaper rates of electricity include New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Quebec. You can always save a few dollars by tracking your electricity if the electric bill is one of your concerns.

For an 85m2 apartment, the collective bill of all the utilities is averaged around $107 which includes electricity, heating, cooling, garbage, water, etc. With Internet and all the other utility costs, the average is around $388. In BC, the average monthly cost of a utility bill is $296.

(*EnergyHub)

Home Insurance Rates

As for monthly expenses, home insurance rates throughout the province of British Columbia, it is determined by the value of the home. In the case of uncertainty while shopping for your home insurance you can always use a few tips to guide through your process. If you are living in a rented apartment or house, you will be paying around $25-$30 for your home insurance. However, if you own property, consult the table below for the rates of insurance.

Property Value	Average Home Insurance Rate
<100K	$43
100 – 300K	$51
300 – 700K	$87
700K – 1.5 M	$130
1.5 – 5 M	$155

Housing

Average monthly cost for 1 Bedroom apartment : Utilities + Insurance

$149

(*Insureye)

Cost of Public Transport and Parking Rates

Public transport in Vancouver is operated by Translink which is Metro Vancouver’s regional authority for transportation. It operates the public transit system that comprises a network of:

Buses.
SkyTrains.
SeaBus.
And West Coast Express commuter train service.

For the average cost of public transport in the city of Vancouver, consult the table below.

zones	Adult	Compass card	Concessions	Day pass	Monthly pass
1 zone	$3 cash	$2.40	$1.95	$ 10.5	$98
2 zones	$4.25	$3.45	$2.95	$ 10.5	$131
3 zones	$5.75	$4.50	$3.95	$ 10.5	$177

Cost of The Public Bicycle Sharing System

In terms of the public bike-sharing system, you will find a service provider by the name of Bixi. By using their service you can either rent a bike at one of their 600 stations or use their smartphone app. You can rent one of their bikes for a duration of 30 minutes at a price of $2.99 or you can rent it for a period of 24-hours at just $5.25. Then there is the option of renting a bike for 3 days (72-hours) at a convenient price of $15. Additionally, they are offering annual membership at $97, so if you are one to travel often by bicycle, this service is perfect for you. It will keep you going and healthy at the same time.

Car Parking Rates

Though you may not like it, the parking meters are in effect 7 days a week, including holidays. The rates, however, vary; the rates for daytime 9 am to 6 pm are different from those from 6 pm to 10 pm. Depending upon where you park, the rates may vary from $1 to 7$ per hour, with some places charging more than that. You can find two different types of parking including:

Time-limited parking (allowing up to 2 hours of parking).
Metered parking (with varying rates).

Car Insurance Rates

Unfortunately, the province of British Columbia holds the first place for most expensive car insurance rates, coming at a whopping $1832 on average.

Transportation

Translink Monthly Pass

$98

(*Translink & Insurance Bureau of Canada )

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Entertainement

Vancouver is a relatively affordable city in comparison to many other cities of Canada, but that doesn’t mean it is just cheap altogether. Considering the essentials only, the average cost of entertainment around the city of Vancouver includes.

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant: $18.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course: $80.00
Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught): $7.
2 tickets to the cinema: $31.
Taxi trip on a business day, basic cost, 8 km. (5 miles): $15.

Considering the average cost, if you have had 4 beers, 1 restaurant visit with friends, visited the cinema 2 times, and have had 4 regular restaurant meals during the month, that can cost you about: $211.

Entertainement

Monthly Cost

$211

(*Numbeo)

Grocery Cost in Vancouver

Grocery includes items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, milk, and others. Cost for some regular groceries that may averagely be purchased include.

Items (1 kg)	Prices
Milk (1 Liter)	$2.37
Loaf of bread	$3.20
Rice	$4.49
Dozen Eggs	$3.97
Local Cheese	$17.07
Chicken	$16.39
Beef round	$22.05
Apple	$3.82
Banana	$1.74
Orange	$3.77
Tomato	$4.28
Potato	$3.22
Onion	$3.26
Head of Lettuce	$2.74
Water Bottle 1.5L	$2.42
Cigarette 20 Pack	$16

Grocery

Monthly budget for 1 person

$227.35

(*Numbeo & Statistics Canada)

Phone and Internet

There are plenty of internet service providers in Vancouver as well as Cell Phone service providers with different packages that are sure to meet everyone’s needs. Considering a general 60 Mbps connection with unlimited download, it will cost you around $80-$85 on average. Whereas 1 minute of the prepaid cost with no plan or discount will cost you around $0.38.

Phone and Internet

Phone with unlimited talk, text and data (Internet is included in Utilities)

$80

(*Numbeo)

Fitness and Personal Care

In terms of fitness and personal care, a one-month fitness club fee averages around 55-60 $ per month. As for healthcare, you are covered with Canada universal healthcare. Having personal insurance is still highly recommended for other personal care services such as the dentist and the optometrist.

Health and Fitness

The average cost of a Fitness membership

$55

(*Numbeo)

Provincial Taxes (Sales, city, and Income taxes)

There are three types of sales taxes in Canada. In the province of British Columbia, they have PST and GST that are set at about 7% and 5% respectively, coming to a total of 12%. Applicable tax on the taxable income includes.

5.06% on the first $42,184 of taxable income.
7.7% on the next $42,185 and over.
10.5% on the next $12,497 and over.
12.29% on the next $20,757 and over.
14.7% on the next $41,860 and over.
16.8% on the next $62,937 and over.
20.5% on the amount over $222,420.

One may argue that the taxes in some provinces are higher in comparison to others, but due to the additional services that are offered to the residents by the provincial government.

(*Goverment of Canada)

Conclusion

If you plan on moving to Vancouver, then you can calculate the average cost of living in the city using the provided table and selecting the rates along with respective items, and finding the total sum which may vary from one person to another.

Average Monthly Cost of living in Vancouver

Description

Cost

Housing

Average rent price for a 1 bedroom apartment + Insurance + Average utility cost

$1869+ $30+ $124

Transportation

Translink Monthly

$98

Food

Regular grocery basket for one person

$227.35

Phone

Unlimited mobile plan

$80

Entertainement

Monthly cost (see above)

$211

Health and Fitness

The average cost of a Fitness membership

$55

Total

Sum

$2694.35

Note: If you are sharing cost with someone, it will be significantly lower. Also, if you are budgeting for a family, you’ll need to add the cost of each family member.

This is an approximation. Price will vary.

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