Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 97% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 339 prices entered by 37 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 64% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $26 (C$36) | C$22 | + 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (C$19) | C$13 | + 48% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (C$10) | C$10 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.57 (C$2.18) | C$2.85 | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (C$12) | C$5.11 | + 137% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $7 (C$10) | C$4.89 | + 106% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $12 (C$17) | C$10 | + 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $7 (C$10) | C$4.61 | + 120% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.71 (C$5.14) | C$4.40 | + 17% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.66 (C$3.68) | C$3.71 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 (C$28) | C$18 | + 51% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.62 (C$5.02) | C$2.63 | + 91% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.69 (C$7) | C$2.41 | + 170% | |
| Housing | + 180% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 180% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,869 (C$6,743) | C$2,308 | + 192% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $4,537 (C$6,283) | C$1,757 | + 258% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $224 (C$310) | C$120 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,497 (C$4,842) | C$1,249 | + 288% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,937 (C$4,067) | C$1,119 | + 263% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $192 (C$266) | C$93 | + 186% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (C$89) | C$66 | + 35% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $273 (C$378) | C$342 | + 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $169 (C$234) | C$152 | + 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (C$20) | C$12 | + 70% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (C$56) | C$29 | + 94% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 12% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $65 (C$90) | C$79 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (C$62) | C$73 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $111 (C$154) | C$119 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $233 (C$322) | C$157 | + 105% | |
| Transportation | + 80% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 80% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,095 (C$43,059) | C$27,346 | + 57% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.34 (C$1.86) | C$1.75 | + 6% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $92 (C$128) | C$57 | + 124% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 (C$30) | C$30 | + 0% | |
| Personal Care | + 96% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 96% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (C$13) | C$11 | + 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (C$20) | C$38 | - 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $247 (C$342) | C$54 | + 533% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (C$13) | C$9 | + 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.87 (C$8) | C$5.44 | + 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (C$11) | C$6 | + 80% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 (C$9) | C$3.98 | + 127% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.47 (C$3.43) | C$1.60 | + 114% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $42 (C$58) | C$24 | + 143% | |
| Entertainment | + 55% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 55% more expensive than in Nanaimo, British Columbia (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Nanaimo, British Columbia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $72 (C$100) | C$65 | + 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $36 (C$49) | C$28 | + 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $389 (C$539) | C$104 | + 420% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $131 (C$182) | C$106 | + 72% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 (C$25) | C$11 | + 116% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (C$9) | C$5.86 | + 45% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (C$11) | C$6 | + 89% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $382 (C$528) | C$644 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.40 (C$0.55) | C$0.50 | + 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $101 (C$139) | C$53 | + 161% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 (C$20) | C$18 | + 13% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 97% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 339 prices entered by 37 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 30, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.385
CAD
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least C$14,765 ($10,663) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with C$7,500 in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
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