How Much Does It Cost to Live In Victoria?
Even though it is a small city, Victoria is very welcoming and friendly.
It is the city that has the ocean and attracts numerous people with its beauty.
Everyone would like to live in Victoria if they could get a job there and this dream can become true if you put all your efforts to achieve it.
But bear in mind the fact that this city is not like other Canadian cities, as the payscale is lower, while the prices are not.
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
Whether it is worth spending so much money in restaurants depend on your own preferences.
If you like dining out on a daily basis, you will need a lot more than the average income here.
Due to high taxes, alcohol is quite pricey in Victoria.
MARKETS
Victoria is a good place to live, if you can provide enough money for food and groceries here.
Actually, more than the third of the monthly salary is spent on that, so purchasing foodstuff at discounted prices might save you some money to be used for other things.
TRANSPORTATION
When it comes to transportation, Victoria is a great place to live and work as commuting to a job would not be expensive if you are using the public transportation system.
On the other hand, if you are driving, be prepared to pay high gasoline prices, maybe the highest in the country.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Victoria is not a cheap place to live when the rent is in question, but when we speak about utilities, it can be noted that they are quite affordable, with the Internet access as an exception.
Having in mind that you will need less than $100 for monthly services is considered inexpensive.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Victoria has the ways of entertainment that are acceptable, with a good assortment of events and happenings in the town.
Sports people can enjoy diverse outdoor activities or pay $40 per month to exercise in the gym.
Tennis court rents are not as high as in some other Canadian cities.
CLOTHING & SHOES
When basic necessities are in question, very few people would include clothing in the items of utmost importance for living, and that is the reason why the least money is spent on that.
Canada is not an expensive country in terms of apparel, and foreigners would find it affordable.
RENT PER MONTH
Living in Victoria is expensive for sure.
You can either decide to live near where you work, which will save you money for commuting and so much time in the public transport that will improve the quality of your life.
However, that might cost extra rent per month, as the apartments out of the center are less expensive.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Victoria
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $11.32 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.28 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.35 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $6.52 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.01 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.73 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.89 |
| Monthly Pass | $64.14 |
| Gasoline | $4.12 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $83.10 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.23 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $60.57 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $40.46 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $10.61 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $9.81 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $51.56 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $33.33 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $77.82 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1063.82 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $872.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1957.07 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Victoria?
It is true that no matter what salary you are making, affording everything here in Victoria would not be possible if you have to pay the rent.
Those who possess their own places are happy and can enjoy the higher standard of living.
Rent and food take more than 65% of the monthly salary, while the rest is divided into other categories.
Clothing is not expensive, but still not frequently bought here.
Utilities, transportation and leisure are also very affordable in Victoria.
Average Costs Breakdown
Victoria: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Before coming to any country and getting a job there, you should carefully research salaries and make sure you get the best possible offer you can, which can provide you and your family with decent lives.
If you are earning the minimum wage in Victoria, it would be impossible to cover all the expenses, including the rent, even if you are living alone.
When families are in question, everything less than average income is unsatisfactory due to the huge rent prices for larger apartments.
Victoria Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Victoria Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Victoria
| 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 |
| Nanaimo, BC | 65.28 |
| 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 |
| Windsor | 64.42 |
| Winnipeg | 63.15 |
I love living in Victoria but I don’t know how I can afford it once I move out of my parent’s house. Only 1 year of college left and then I’m looking for my own place, but I don’t think it’ll be in Victoria. Across the pond in Vancouver is more expensive still! No idea what I’ll do.
“Living in Victoria is expensive for sure.” – You got that right! If I weren’t sharing an apartment with my boyfriend I’d probably be living with my mom forever! We have to find better paid jobs or move somewhere else, it’s a struggle living here. I guess that’s the price you pay for a place like Victoria, it really is nice.