Cost of living in Vancouver (Canada) is 23% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in San Francisco, California or in Vancouver? You can help!
Improve the prices for San Francisco, California! Improve the prices for Vancouver!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,199 prices entered by 165 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vancouver (Canada) is 17% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | C$24 ($18) | $21 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | C$13 ($10) | $13 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | C$10 ($7) | $7 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | C$3.52 ($2.61) | $1.62 | + 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | C$7 ($5.25) | $7 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | C$4.90 ($3.63) | $5.99 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | C$10 ($8) | $8 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | C$4.47 ($3.31) | $4.19 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | C$3.58 ($2.66) | $2.22 | + 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | C$3.64 ($2.70) | $5.39 | - 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | C$21 ($16) | $16 | + 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | C$3.40 ($2.52) | $2.98 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | C$3.06 ($2.27) | $2.60 | - 13% | |
| Housing | - 36% | |||
| Housing in Vancouver (Canada) is 36% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | C$4,124 ($3,057) | $4,795 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | C$2,862 ($2,121) | $3,484 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | C$150 ($111) | $177 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | C$2,521 ($1,869) | $3,320 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | C$2,021 ($1,498) | $2,748 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | C$81 ($60) | $113 | - 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | C$73 ($54) | $45 | + 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | C$385 ($285) | $257 | + 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | C$275 ($204) | $147 | + 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | C$11 ($8) | $12 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | C$28 ($21) | $40 | - 49% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in Vancouver (Canada) is 9% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | C$85 ($63) | $72 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | C$56 ($41) | $39 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | C$123 ($91) | $116 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | C$161 ($119) | $169 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Vancouver (Canada) is 5% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | C$29,689 ($22,006) | $31,662 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | C$1.96 ($1.45) | $1.43 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | C$117 ($87) | $83 | + 4% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | C$22 ($17) | $19 | - 11% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in Vancouver (Canada) is 16% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | C$11 ($8) | $9 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | C$17 ($12) | $14 | - 13% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | C$149 ($111) | $146 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | C$10 ($7) | $7 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | C$8 ($6) | $4.47 | + 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | C$7 ($5.45) | $9 | - 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | C$5.48 ($4.06) | $5.48 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | C$4.36 ($3.23) | $2.39 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | C$22 ($16) | $31 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Vancouver (Canada) is 23% cheaper than in San Francisco, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vancouver | San Francisco, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | C$67 ($50) | $63 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | C$34 ($25) | $34 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | C$270 ($200) | $371 | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | C$112 ($83) | $136 | - 39% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | C$11 ($8) | $18 | - 52% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | C$5.16 ($3.82) | $5.62 | - 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | C$7 ($5.37) | $8 | - 34% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | C$694 ($515) | $343 | + 50% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | C$0.39 ($0.29) | $0.25 | + 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | C$72 ($53) | $87 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | C$18 ($13) | $13 | + 2% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,199 prices entered by 165 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.741
USD
/
CAD
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 9% cheaper than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Singapore is 59% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in New York City is 20% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Toronto is 26% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Singapore is 23% more expensive than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Vancouver is 9% cheaper than in Toronto
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 75% cheaper than in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Cost of living in Edinburgh is 32% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Hong Kong is 248% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Manchester is 29% cheaper than in London
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $14,000 in San Francisco, California you would need to make just about $10,837 (C$14,621) in Vancouver.
Do you live in San Francisco, California? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Tijuana (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Guadalajara (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Edmonton (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Antonio, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Jose, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (United States)
Prices recently added
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Austin, Texas costs $10 (26 minutes ago)
- Public transport in Uberlandia costs R$ 216 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Houston, Texas costs $9 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Algiers costs 338 Dinar (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in León, Spain costs €15 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Hyderabad, India costs ₨2,000 (about 3 hours ago)