Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Vancouver and Johnstown, PA

For one person, living is cheaper in Johnstown, PA: $1,657 a month against $2,662 in Vancouver, rent and utilities included – about $12,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Vancouver
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,662
/mo nomad
Johnstown, PA
🇺🇸 United States
$1,657
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Vancouver and in Johnstown, PA

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 Johnstown, PA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,662 per month in Vancouver vs $1,657 in Johnstown, PA, rent included.

  • Vancouver $2,662
  • Johnstown, PA $1,657

A couple spends around $3,916 per month in Vancouver vs $2,417 in Johnstown, PA, rent included.

  • Vancouver $3,916
  • Johnstown, PA $2,417

A family of three spends $5,170 per month in Vancouver vs $3,177 in Johnstown, PA, rent included.

  • Vancouver $5,170
  • Johnstown, PA $3,177

Vancouver costs about 61% more than Johnstown, PA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Vancouver and Johnstown, PA sit above the global median – Vancouver by 96%, Johnstown, PA by 22%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.01 CA$25.46
$13.58 $13.58
32.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.0 CA$100
$39.60 $39.60
79.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.83 CA$15.31
$7.19 $7.19
50.63%
Cappuccino
$3.94 CA$5.56
$6.34 $6.34
-37.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 CA$3.01
$2.72 $2.72
-21.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 CA$2.34
$2.60 $2.60
-36.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.73 CA$8.10
$3.93 $3.93
45.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.40 CA$9.04
$5.88 $5.88
8.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 CA$3.04
$1.23 $1.23
74.80%
White Bread (500g)
$2.55 CA$3.61
$1.39 $1.39
83.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.56 CA$6.45
$7.50 $7.50
-39.20%
Eggs
$4.06 CA$5.74
$5.32 $5.32
-23.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.14 CA$17.17
$16.56 $16.56
-26.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.23 CA$18.71
$4.65 $4.65
184.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.24 CA$28.62
$18.84 $18.84
7.43%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 CA$5.73
$4.91 $4.91
-17.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 CA$2.00
$1.32 $1.32
7.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.97 CA$5.62
$6.42 $6.42
-38.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 CA$5.53
$2.82 $2.82
38.65%
Potato (1kg)
$2.64 CA$3.74
$0.96 $0.96
175.00%
Onion (1kg)
$2.82 CA$3.98
$2.02 $2.02
39.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.48 CA$3.51
$2.14 $2.14
15.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.59 CA$2.24
$2.71 $2.71
-41.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.30 CA$21.64
$9.97 $9.97
53.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.32 CA$20.24
$15.03 $15.03
-4.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 CA$3.63
$1.72 $1.72
49.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 CA$4.12
$4.98 $4.98
-41.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.55 CA$3.60
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$84.6 CA$120
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.64 CA$3.73
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.63 CA$2.31
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$31.77 CA$44.91
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 CA$2.01
$0.96 $0.96
47.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1K CA$38.3K
$28.1K $28.1K
-3.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.6K CA$30.5K
$27.1K $27.1K
-20.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.3 CA$115
$147 $147
-44.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.20 CA$52.6
$14.88 $14.88
150.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.6 CA$74.4
$69.5 $69.5
-24.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.34 CA$62.7
$36.40 $36.40
21.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.37 CA$17.49
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.62 CA$17.85
$9.26 $9.26
36.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,093 CA$1,544
$2,258 $2,258
-51.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.0K CA$28.2K
$60.2K $60.2K
-66.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.5 CA$82.7
$47.37 $47.37
23.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.35 CA$47.14
$36.50 $36.50
-8.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.3 CA$136
$108 $108
-10.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.6 CA$135
$122 $122
-21.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,765 CA$2,495
$643 $643
174.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,508 CA$2,132
$594 $594
153.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,122 CA$4,414
$900 $900
247.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,469 CA$3,490
$935 $935
163.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,173 CA$11.6K
$829 $829
885.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,354 CA$8,982
$836 $836
660.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vancouver
Johnstown, PA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,592 CA$5,078
$2,182 $2,182
64.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.28
6.72
-36.31%

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

Last update for Vancouver: October 17, 2026

Last update for Johnstown, PA: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Vancouver
$1.5K
Johnstown, PA
$594 60.6% $914
Groceries & Markets
Vancouver
$399
Johnstown, PA
$376 5.8% $23
Eating Out
Vancouver
$280
Johnstown, PA
$259 7.6% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vancouver
$171
Johnstown, PA
$232 35.4% $61
Clothing & Footwear
Vancouver
$128
Johnstown, PA
$141 10.5% $13
Getting Around
Vancouver
$106
Johnstown, PA
- * 100%
Sport & Entertainment
Vancouver
$70
Johnstown, PA
$55 21.1% $15

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,765 in Vancouver versus $643 in Johnstown, PA. 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 65% higher in Vancouver, 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 $71.0 in Vancouver versus $40.00 in Johnstown, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $399 vs $376 – making Johnstown, PA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Vancouver
🇺🇸 Johnstown, PA
🕒 Local time
10:56 10:56 AM
13:56 1:56 PM
3 h ahead of Vancouver
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
631,486
22,269
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 Johnstown, PA 3,570 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Vancouver
  • Johnstown, PA

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 Johnstown, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnstown, PA cheaper than Vancouver?
Yes – Vancouver is pricier by about 61%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,992 per month in Vancouver and $2,485 in Johnstown, PA. 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 Johnstown, PA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Vancouver and in Johnstown, PA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,662 in Vancouver and $1,657 in Johnstown, PA. That's a gap of about 61%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,093 per month in Vancouver and $2,258 in Johnstown, PA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Vancouver or in Johnstown, PA?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Johnstown, PA, where all-in costs run around $1,657, than in Vancouver at $2,662. In Johnstown, PA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vancouver it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Vancouver or Johnstown, PA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Johnstown, PA – 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 Johnstown, PA?
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 Johnstown, PA. 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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