Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Vancouver and Fairfield, CT

For one person, living costs are similar in Vancouver and in Fairfield, CT: $2,662 and $2,624 a month, rent and utilities included.

Vancouver
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,662
/mo nomad
Fairfield, CT
🇺🇸 United States
$2,624
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Vancouver and in Fairfield, CT

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

A single person spends $2,662 per month in Vancouver vs $2,624 in Fairfield, CT, rent included.

  • Vancouver $2,662
  • Fairfield, CT $2,624

A couple spends around $3,916 per month in Vancouver vs $3,865 in Fairfield, CT, rent included.

  • Vancouver $3,916
  • Fairfield, CT $3,865

A family of three spends $5,170 per month in Vancouver vs $5,106 in Fairfield, CT, rent included.

  • Vancouver $5,170
  • Fairfield, CT $5,106

Vancouver costs about 1% more than Fairfield, CT, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Vancouver and Fairfield, CT sit above the global median – Vancouver by 96%, Fairfield, CT by 94%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.01 CA$25.46
$19.72 $19.72
-8.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.0 CA$100
$73.7 $73.7
-3.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.83 CA$15.31
$11.48 $11.48
-5.66%
Cappuccino
$3.94 CA$5.56
$5.63 $5.63
-30.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 CA$3.01
$2.45 $2.45
-13.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 CA$2.34
$1.79 $1.79
-7.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.73 CA$8.10
$5.88 $5.88
-2.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.40 CA$9.04
$7.04 $7.04
-9.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 CA$3.04
$1.01 $1.01
112.87%
White Bread (500g)
$2.55 CA$3.61
$3.55 $3.55
-28.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.56 CA$6.45
$4.38 $4.38
4.11%
Eggs
$4.06 CA$5.74
$4.25 $4.25
-4.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.14 CA$17.17
$12.61 $12.61
-3.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.23 CA$18.71
$11.70 $11.70
13.08%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.24 CA$28.62
$17.14 $17.14
18.09%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 CA$5.73
$4.32 $4.32
-6.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 CA$2.00
$1.54 $1.54
-7.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.97 CA$5.62
$3.85 $3.85
3.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 CA$5.53
$4.37 $4.37
-10.53%
Potato (1kg)
$2.64 CA$3.74
$2.91 $2.91
-9.28%
Onion (1kg)
$2.82 CA$3.98
$2.70 $2.70
4.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.48 CA$3.51
$2.12 $2.12
16.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.59 CA$2.24
$2.35 $2.35
-32.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.30 CA$21.64
$8.85 $8.85
72.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.32 CA$20.24
$15.52 $15.52
-7.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 CA$3.63
$1.97 $1.97
30.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 CA$4.12
$3.14 $3.14
-7.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 CA$3.60
$2.03 $2.03
25.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$84.6 CA$120
$70.0 $70.0
20.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.64 CA$3.73
$3.28 $3.28
-19.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 CA$2.31
$1.71 $1.71
-4.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$31.77 CA$44.91
$30.28 $30.28
4.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 CA$2.01
$1.14 $1.14
24.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1K CA$38.3K
$30.4K $30.4K
-10.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.6K CA$30.5K
$26.2K $26.2K
-17.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.3 CA$115
$197 $197
-58.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.20 CA$52.6
$58.0 $58.0
-35.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.6 CA$74.4
$70.6 $70.6
-25.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.34 CA$62.7
$42.03 $42.03
5.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.37 CA$17.49
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.62 CA$17.85
$14.29 $14.29
-11.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,093 CA$1,544
$1,424 $1,424
-23.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.0K CA$28.2K
$23.3K $23.3K
-14.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.5 CA$82.7
$52.6 $52.6
11.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.35 CA$47.14
$40.95 $40.95
-18.56%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.3 CA$136
$88.4 $88.4
8.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.6 CA$135
$115 $115
-16.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 CA$2,495
$1,567 $1,567
12.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,508 CA$2,132
$1,290 $1,290
16.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,122 CA$4,414
$2,545 $2,545
22.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,469 CA$3,490
$2,184 $2,184
13.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,173 CA$11.6K
$2,337 $2,337
249.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,354 CA$8,982
$2,221 $2,221
186.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vancouver
Fairfield, CT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,592 CA$5,078
$4,993 $4,993
-28.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.28
6
-28.67%

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

Last update for Vancouver: October 17, 2026

Last update for Fairfield, CT: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Vancouver
$1.5K
Fairfield, CT
$1.3K 14.5% $218
Groceries & Markets
Vancouver
$399
Fairfield, CT
$394 1.3% $5
Eating Out
Vancouver
$280
Fairfield, CT
$320 14.2% $40
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vancouver
$171
Fairfield, CT
$326 90.3% $154
Clothing & Footwear
Vancouver
$128
Fairfield, CT
$134 4.6% $5.9
Getting Around
Vancouver
$106
Fairfield, CT
$90 14.8% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Vancouver
$70
Fairfield, CT
$71 1.5% $1

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,765 in Vancouver versus $1,567 in Fairfield, CT. 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 39% higher in Fairfield, CT, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Vancouver versus $74.0 in Fairfield, CT. Groceries tell a different story – $399 in Vancouver vs $394 in Fairfield, CT – so Fairfield, CT wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Vancouver
🇺🇸 Fairfield, CT
🕒 Local time
11:30 11:30 AM
14:30 2:30 PM
3 h ahead of Vancouver
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
631,486
117,133
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Vancouver Fairfield, CT 3,930 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Vancouver
  • Fairfield, CT

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
Vancouver vs Fairfield, CT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fairfield, CT cheaper than Vancouver?
Yes – Vancouver is pricier by about 1%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,992 per month in Vancouver and $3,936 in Fairfield, CT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Fairfield, CT, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,093 per month in Vancouver and $1,424 in Fairfield, CT. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Vancouver and in Fairfield, CT?
Groceries cost about 1% more in Vancouver, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Vancouver or in Fairfield, CT?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,662 in Vancouver and $2,624 in Fairfield, CT. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Vancouver or Fairfield, CT more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Fairfield, CT – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Vancouver or Fairfield, CT?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Fairfield, CT. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vancouver makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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