Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between New Westminster and Quito

For one person, living is cheaper in Quito: $978 a month against $2,526 in New Westminster, rent and utilities included – about $18,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

New Westminster
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,526
/mo nomad
Quito
🇪🇨 Ecuador
$978
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in New Westminster and in Quito

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in New Westminster and in Quito actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,526 per month in New Westminster vs $978 in Quito, rent included.

  • New Westminster $2,526
  • Quito $978

A couple spends around $3,900 per month in New Westminster vs $1,586 in Quito, rent included.

  • New Westminster $3,900
  • Quito $1,586

A family of three spends $5,273 per month in New Westminster vs $2,194 in Quito, rent included.

  • New Westminster $5,273
  • Quito $2,194

New Westminster costs about 158% more than Quito, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

New Westminster sits 87% above the global median, while Quito is 28% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.28 CA$27.41
$6.08 $6.08
217.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.65 CA$70.6
$55.5 $55.5
-10.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.12 CA$14.39
$7.61 $7.61
32.98%
Cappuccino
$3.47 CA$4.93
$3.40 $3.40
2.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 CA$2.63
$1.37 $1.37
35.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55 CA$2.20
$1.09 $1.09
42.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.77 CA$8.21
$3.43 $3.43
68.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.63 CA$8.00
$6.06 $6.06
-7.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 CA$2.50
$1.14 $1.14
54.39%
White Bread (500g)
$2.34 CA$3.32
$1.60 $1.60
46.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.45 CA$4.90
$1.58 $1.58
118.35%
Eggs
$3.01 CA$4.28
$2.12 $2.12
41.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.80 CA$15.35
$6.58 $6.58
64.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.33 CA$21.80
$5.51 $5.51
178.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$26.67 CA$37.92
$7.65 $7.65
248.63%
Apples (1kg)
$3.77 CA$5.37
$2.24 $2.24
68.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 CA$2.10
$1.19 $1.19
24.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.60 CA$5.12
$1.33 $1.33
170.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.66 CA$5.20
$1.13 $1.13
223.89%
Potato (1kg)
$2.33 CA$3.32
$1.24 $1.24
87.90%
Onion (1kg)
$2.21 CA$3.15
$1.02 $1.02
116.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.33 CA$3.31
$0.92 $0.92
153.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.80 CA$2.57
$1.05 $1.05
71.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.33 CA$21.80
$6.16 $6.16
148.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.63 CA$15.12
$10.07 $10.07
5.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 CA$2.87
$1.58 $1.58
27.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 CA$3.87
$3.09 $3.09
-11.97%
🚌 Getting Around
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.52 CA$3.58
$0.36 $0.36
600.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$90.3 CA$128
$21.37 $21.37
322.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 CA$2.91
$1.53 $1.53
33.99%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 CA$2.44
$1.49 $1.49
15.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.76 CA$32.35
$9.84 $9.84
131.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 CA$1.79
$0.81 $0.81
55.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9K CA$33.9K
$21.3K $21.3K
12.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.0K CA$27.0K
$27.9K $27.9K
-31.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 CA$197
$28.75 $28.75
382.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$42.09 CA$59.9
$17.86 $17.86
135.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.0 CA$89.6
$28.20 $28.20
123.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.42 CA$46.09
$46.08 $46.08
-29.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.27 CA$24.55
$17.76 $17.76
-2.76%
Cinema Ticket
$11.94 CA$16.97
$6.34 $6.34
88.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$758 CA$1,078
$739 $739
2.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,536 CA$12.1K
$8,909 $8,909
-4.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.3 CA$74.3
$71.0 $71.0
-26.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.77 CA$59.4
$50.4 $50.4
-17.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.5 CA$110
$114 $114
-32.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.6 CA$137
$107 $107
-9.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,548 CA$2,201
$491 $491
215.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,319 CA$1,876
$309 $309
327.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,841 CA$4,039
$932 $932
204.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,620 CA$3,725
$540 $540
384.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,810 CA$6,839
$1,759 $1,759
173.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,025 CA$5,723
$715 $715
463.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New Westminster
Quito
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,989 CA$4,250
$594 $594
403.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.72
10.12
-53.36%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New Westminster: October 11, 2026

Last update for Quito: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
New Westminster
$1.3K
Quito
$309 76.6% $1K
Groceries & Markets
New Westminster
$396
Quito
$198 49.9% $198
Eating Out
New Westminster
$280
Quito
$151 45.9% $129
Monthly Utilities & Internet
New Westminster
$244
Quito
$75 69.3% $169
Clothing & Footwear
New Westminster
$121
Quito
$154 27.8% $34
Getting Around
New Westminster
$111
Quito
$32 71.4% $79
Sport & Entertainment
New Westminster
$56
Quito
$59 4.4% $2.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,548 in New Westminster versus $491 in Quito. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 403% higher in New Westminster, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in New Westminster versus $55.0 in Quito. Groceries tell a different story – $396 in New Westminster vs $198 in Quito – so Quito wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 New Westminster
🇪🇨 Quito
🕒 Local time
16:58 4:58 PM
18:58 6:58 PM
2 h ahead of New Westminster
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
58,000
2,671,191 Capital
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 1.42 CAD (1 CAD = 0.703 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.628 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.893 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • New Westminster Quito 6,930 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • New Westminster
  • Quito

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
New Westminster vs Quito: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, New Westminster or Quito?
New Westminster costs about 158% more than Quito, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in New Westminster and in Quito?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,790 per month in New Westminster and $1,467 in Quito. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, New Westminster or Quito?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Quito, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in New Westminster and in Quito?
Kindergarten costs $758 per month in New Westminster and $739 in Quito. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in New Westminster or in Quito?
Groceries cost about 100% more in New Westminster, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in New Westminster or in Quito?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Quito, where all-in costs run around $978, than in New Westminster at $2,526. In Quito it covers expenses comfortably, while in New Westminster it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, New Westminster or Quito?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Quito costs $978 versus $2,526 in New Westminster. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is New Westminster compared to Quito?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to New Westminster or to Quito?
If budget matters most, go with Quito. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New Westminster makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

New Westminster vs other spots: cost of living compared

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