πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,860 in Vancouver versus $2,692 in Port Coquitlam, BC.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,199 in Vancouver versus $3,640 in Port Coquitlam, BC.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,538 in Vancouver versus $4,588 in Port Coquitlam, BC.
πLiving in Vancouver is roughly 6% more expensive than Port Coquitlam, BC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Vancouver113% above, Port Coquitlam, BC100% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.50CA$25.84
$18.11CA$25.29
2.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.5CA$111
$80.6CA$113
-1.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.11CA$15.52
$9.63CA$13.44
15.37%
Cappuccino
$4.11CA$5.74
$3.94CA$5.51
4.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21CA$3.08
$1.96CA$2.74
12.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75CA$2.45
$1.34CA$1.87
30.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.77CA$8.06
$5.97CA$8.34
-3.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.45CA$10.40
$5.76CA$8.04
29.34%
π Groceries & Markets
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.20CA$3.07
$2.17CA$3.04
1.38%
White Bread(500g)
$3.22CA$4.49
$2.30CA$3.22
40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.68CA$5.14
$3.62CA$5.05
1.66%
Eggs
$4.39CA$6.13
$3.27CA$4.56
34.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.82CA$17.90
$12.54CA$17.51
2.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.20CA$19.82
$13.88CA$19.39
2.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.04CA$22.40
$14.45CA$20.18
11.00%
Apples(1kg)
$4.38CA$6.12
$3.21CA$4.48
36.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53CA$2.13
$1.50CA$2.09
2.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.07CA$5.68
$3.22CA$4.49
26.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.18CA$7.23
$4.00CA$5.58
29.50%
Potato(1kg)
$3.05CA$4.25
$2.57CA$3.59
18.68%
Onion(1kg)
$2.96CA$4.14
$3.08CA$4.31
-3.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.73CA$3.81
$2.54CA$3.54
7.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87CA$2.61
$1.20CA$1.68
55.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.40CA$21.51
$14.82CA$20.70
3.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.32CA$20.00
$11.55CA$16.14
23.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.11CA$4.35
$2.25CA$3.14
38.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66CA$5.12
$2.34CA$3.26
56.41%
π Getting Around
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.41CA$3.37
$1.87CA$2.61
28.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$82.6CA$115
$62.4CA$87.2
32.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.65CA$5.10
$3.11CA$4.34
17.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.49CA$2.08
$1.39CA$1.95
7.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.94CA$37.63
$27.53CA$38.44
-2.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28CA$1.78
$1.27CA$1.78
0.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KCA$34.8K
$25.4KCA$35.4K
-1.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0KCA$29.3K
$20.5KCA$28.6K
2.37%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$92.2CA$129
$92.2CA$129
0.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.43CA$56.5
$44.04CA$61.5
-8.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.0CA$86.6
$51.4CA$71.8
20.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.57CA$62.2
$14.46CA$20.19
208.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.75CA$21.99
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.19CA$17.02
$12.09CA$16.89
0.83%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,164CA$1,625
$922CA$1,287
26.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.1KCA$25.3K
$11.2KCA$15.7K
61.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.9CA$87.9
$49.28CA$68.8
27.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.23CA$59.0
$33.39CA$46.63
26.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.0CA$137
$93.8CA$131
4.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118CA$165
$119CA$166
-0.60%
π Accommodation & Living
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,977CA$2,761
$1,599CA$2,234
23.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,665CA$2,325
$1,688CA$2,357
-1.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,579CA$4,997
$2,225CA$3,108
60.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,798CA$3,907
$2,005CA$2,800
39.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,881CA$12.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,873CA$9,598
$5,585CA$7,800
23.06%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Vancouver
Port Coquitlam, BC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,432CA$4,792
$2,882CA$4,025
19.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.61
5.61
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vancouver: June 7, 2026
Last update for Port Coquitlam, BC: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,977 in Vancouver and $1,599 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Vancouver pays 19% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $80.0 in Vancouver vs $81.0 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Groceries flip the comparison at $417 vs $358, with Port Coquitlam, BC cheaper for home cooking.
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 Port Coquitlam, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Coquitlam, BC cheaper than Vancouver?
Port Coquitlam, BC is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 6% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Vancouver or Port Coquitlam, BC?
Vancouver pays 19% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Vancouver and Port Coquitlam, BC?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,977 in Vancouver versus $1,599 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $1,164 in Vancouver versus $922 in Port Coquitlam, BC. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Vancouver and Port Coquitlam, BC?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Vancouver. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Vancouver or Port Coquitlam, BC?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Port Coquitlam, BC is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Vancouver or Port Coquitlam, BC?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Vancouver or Port Coquitlam, BC?
Safety-wise, Vancouver and Port Coquitlam, BC are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Port Coquitlam, BC gentler on the wallet β expenses run 6% less than in Vancouver. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.