Which US City is Comparable to Vancouver (sales, rental)

[nomadlifestyle]

I started a thread on housing in the Burnaby area but since this is a seperate topic, I am starting it as a new thread.

We are a family of 5 (3 young kids) looking at a potential move to the Burnaby area of Vancouver. Like many, I'm having a problem adjusting for the cost of living. For the purpose of discussion, lets take the currencies to be equal 1US = 1CAD

We have lived in the following cities in the US:

San Francisco, Austin and Boston.

Anyone knows in terms of cost of living, which city can we compare Vancouver to? I understand that the sales tax on consumer goods is about 12% in Vancouver but what about just the cost of car insurance, house rental, utilities?

This is what we are currently paying per month near Boston:

3 bedroom house: $2300
Car insurance: $650/year (we have a minivan)
Electricity: about $270
Oil heating: An additional $200 over the electric bill during Winter months
Internet and phone: $100
Cable TV: $50
2 Cell Phones on family plan: $120 (with Data Plan for 1 phone)
Gas: $43 to fill the 17 gallon tank

We spend about $200 for a big trip to the grocery store. A box of 70 Pampers diapers costs us about $20 for example. A gallon of milk is just about $3.00.

Also, what exemptions can we expect for Federal and Provincial Income taxes? In the US, the biggest would be our filing status (married filing jointly) and then an exemption for each child. Do you get an exemption on house rents?

Any breakdown of costs would be helpful for us. Thank you so much!

[hohead]

Vancouver is more like San Francisco than Boston or Austin. Not only in terms of costs (housing, cost of living), but also in terms of culture and weather. Also, taxes are a little bit higher in BC than CA.

Sorry, can't give you a line item breakout of expenses. Hopefully someone else can give you more detail.

[ubringliten]

I agree with hohead.

I have been looking at apts for rental and to own, both SF and Vancouver proper are similar in that department. An example, is a two bedroom apt. for rental is in the $2000 range and $500-700K for purchase. Both in very good neighborhoods and in similar sq. footage. But SF gets more expensive at the higher end.

When I was in Vancouver, I didn't find eating out was anything different than in California. I think it could be more expensive in Vancouver because residents there make less than in the States (that's what I hear).

[kkgg7]

Vancouver is more expensive than any American city in terms of cost of living, and they make considerably less and are taxed more.
So when moving from the US to Canada, cost should not be your primary concern. Otherwise, it will be hard to adjust.
Enjoy Vancouver!

[GTOlover]

any medium sized city in northren califonia should be pretty close to the same climate and laid back style of living

[Small Member]

In the 'burbs I think you could expect your rent to come down.

I think closer to 1800$ is a reasonable expectation. (Also, 1$ US is about .90c CDN right now.

Your insurance will go up. Its a government monopoly. I'd imagine, with a favorable estimate, that it would be closer to 900$ annually. (Minimum liability up here is one million dollars.)

Hydro(Power) will run you between 100$ to 150$ a month in a home, depending on the time of year.

You can get internet and cable and phone for around a hundred dollars if you bundle your service.

Your taxes will go up, but the services go up as well. I can't explain the differences as I don't know the American system.


I would imagine Vancouver to liken to Portland or Seattle, not just because of proximity, but also based on way of life. You won't regret your decision.

[Robynator]

Vancouver's very much like San Francisco but with the climate of Seattle.

[movingwiththewind]

If you compare only cost of living, than maybe SF. However, SF feels very different than Vancouver. Everything: Urban and natural landscapes, climate, intellectual and cultural environment and many other aspects are very different. There is no city in US like Vancouver.

[f1000]

Vancouver is similar to San Francisco in terms of huge Asian presence, and to a certain extent a strong environmental/ liberal vibe permeating both cities- but i agree, that they are very different and in a different league really. Vancouver is very appealing, but San Francisco is definitely in a different ballpark.

To me, Vancouver is more like a blend of Seattle and Portland (culturally and geographically) with more international demographics and flair mixed in.

[thePR]

Originally Posted by Small Member

I think closer to 1800$ is a reasonable expectation. (Also, 1$ US is about .90c CDN right now.

You've got it mixed up, it's the other way around.