How much you should prepare for. You’ve probably heard but Vancouver is expensive! You should bring more than you think.

Visa applications say you need a minimum of $2500, which implies that’s all you need, but that’s not the case.

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tl;dr: You should come other with $18k - 25k CAD to be safe. Note: This varies depending on the person, but just so you have a few months without work, and can afford the things below.

Monthly you can expect $1800 - $6000 CAD.

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Is it expensive to live in Vancouver?

Yes. It is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

How much does it cost to live in Vancouver per month?

It varies, you can calculate it for your case with the information below.

Somewhere between $3,500 - $7,000 a month, depending on your lifestyle.

Cost of living in Vancouver breakdown

Housing

Cost per month:

• $900 - $1800 for living with a roommate
• $2300 - $3500 for a one bedroom

Deposit:

• First month’s rent + security deposit (half a month’s rent, normally)
• On average for a one-bedroom, it’s $4650 upfront.

You might have to show income, a bank statement, or a pay stub. You can read more on this on:

Rent an apartment in Vancouver (Updated for 2025)

Groceries

Cost per month: $600 - $2000