How Much Does It Cost to Live In Nanaimo, BC?
Nanaimo is not so large city on Vancouver Island which has to offer the same advantages as any other major city, but with less noise, crowd, busy streets and hustle.
This is ideal place for people who are looking for a sable, less expensive and pleasant living conditions in otherwise expensive Canada.
However, do not get deceived by the fact that it is a cheap city.
It is, but only for Canadian standards.
Canada : Cost of Living by City
- Abbotsford
- Barrie
- Brampton
- Burlington
- Burnaby
- Calgary
- Coquitlam
- Edmonton
- Halifax
- Hamilton
- Kelowna
- Kingston
- Kitchener
- London
- Mississauga
- Moncton
- Montreal
- Nanaimo, BC
- Oshawa
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Red Deer
- Regina
- Saskatoon
- St. John’s, NL
- Surrey
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Windsor
- Winnipeg
RESTAURANTS
Eating out daily is not advisable in Nanaimo, if you want to have enough money for other necessities.
With the average wage, you can afford dining out once or twice a week if you are single, but if you have a family, even that would make a huge hole in your budget.
MARKETS
There are places all over the city with markets with organic foods and locally grown products, where you can find more affordable and quality food than in the stores and supermarkets.
If you are savvy person, you will know that eating at home and preparing food will save you a lot of money.
TRANSPORTATION
Nanaimo has an effective and inexpensive public transport system which costs around $50 for the whole month and you can easily get through the city.
If you decide to drive here, you need to have money for gasoline, registration and insurance, and that makes additional costs on your budget.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
All in all, it can be said that utilities do not cost too much in Nanaimo, except the Internet access which is expensive in the whole country.
Actually, a single person would need to pay for all the basic services such as water, power and garbage the same amount of money as much as for the Internet.
SPORTS & LEISURE
It should come as no surprise that the bigger a city is the more expensive is the entertainment and in Nanaimo you can find everything you need at affordable prices.
Even tennis court rent is far more inexpensive than in other Canadian cities.
Sports people would be satisfied with the price of fitness monthly fees.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Buying designer and expensive clothes is not a custom in Canada and the same situation is in Nanaimo.
Maybe that is the reason why clothing items are less expensive than in the majority of European cities.
After all the expenses are paid, you can afford buying a piece of clothing here, considering the fact that it is not too pricey.
RENT PER MONTH
When compared to similarly ranked cities, the cost of the rent is more affordable, especially if your income in Nanaimo is above average and this makes your lifestyle more plentiful and joyful.
You will be able to rent an apartment at the price of $700 which is impossible in major cities in Canada.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Nanaimo, BC
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $11.35 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.35 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.30 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $5.57 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.02 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.74 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.89 |
| Monthly Pass | $51.07 |
| Gasoline | $3.75 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $79.63 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.25 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $60.04 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $27.99 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $6.56 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $9.08 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $47 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $35.31 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $70.06 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $749.77 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $662.63 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1265.16 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Nanaimo, BC?
It might be a good idea for you to do some research about the prices and the average spendings of Nanaimo citizens before choosing to settle here.
As in the majority of countries, food is of utmost importance for living, thus it takes the largest part of monthly salary, more than 30%.
Then there comes the rent, in case you do not possess your own property.
It is interesting that restaurants take more money than transportation and utilities in Nanaimo.
The least money is spent on sports and clothing, as in whole Canada.
Average Costs Breakdown
Nanaimo, BC: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Living and working in Nanaimo is sustainable.
A balanced quality of life is possible here if you earn at least the average amount of money.
Those with a living wage significantly lower than average might struggle with some expenses that are not of great importance, but would be able to lead a decent life.
Considering the fact that the rent is not so high, you can equally divide the budget onto necessities that are obligatory, and if anything is left, then use it for leisure and entertainment.
Cost of Living by City in Nanaimo, BC
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Abbotsford | 58.95 |
| Barrie | 77.37 |
| Brampton | 68.79 |
| Burlington | 73.13 |
| Burnaby | 64.94 |
| Calgary | 68.93 |
| Coquitlam | 67.43 |
| Edmonton | 67.03 |
| Halifax | 70.88 |
| Hamilton | 60.75 |
| Kelowna | 66.6 |
| Kingston | 66.45 |
| Kitchener | 58.93 |
| London | 59.15 |
| Mississauga | 65.08 |
| Moncton | 61.15 |
| Montreal | 63.52 |
| Oshawa | 65.44 |
| Ottawa | 62.88 |
| Quebec City | 66.1 |
| Red Deer | 67.42 |
| Regina | 68.46 |
| Saskatoon | 74.26 |
| St. John’s, NL | 74.05 |
| Surrey | 59.18 |
| Toronto | 70.19 |
| Vancouver | 69.63 |
| Victoria | 66.17 |
| Windsor | 64.42 |
| Winnipeg | 63.15 |
