Cost of Living in Nelson BC - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Nelson BC
Address: Nelson BC, CA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,180 (excluding rent), and $2,367 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,789 (excluding rent), and $4,100 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.93 CA$20.76

$8.96 CA$12.46

$29.85 CA$41.50

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$66.9 CA$93.0

$52.0 CA$72.3

$119 CA$165

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.99 CA$12.50

$8.64 CA$12.01

$12.24 CA$17.01

Cappuccino

$3.94 CA$5.48

$3.22 CA$4.48

$5.73 CA$7.96

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 CA$2.98

$1.44 CA$2.00

$3.07 CA$4.26

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 CA$2.41

$1.08 CA$1.51

$2.54 CA$3.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.07 CA$7.04

$3.62 CA$5.03

$7.24 CA$10.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.88 CA$8.17

$5.14 CA$7.14

$7.34 CA$10.21

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 CA$2.63

$1.04 CA$1.45

$3.61 CA$5.02

White Bread (500g)

$3.12 CA$4.34

$1.68 CA$2.33

$4.38 CA$6.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.12 CA$4.34

$1.49 CA$2.07

$4.94 CA$6.86

Eggs

$3.78 CA$5.25

$2.87 CA$3.99

$7.39 CA$10.27

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.25 CA$15.64

$5.93 CA$8.24

$32.68 CA$45.43

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.00 CA$20.84

$6.61 CA$9.18

$21.02 CA$29.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.07 CA$27.90

$11.32 CA$15.73

$22.64 CA$31.47

Apples (1kg)

$3.83 CA$5.32

$1.47 CA$2.04

$6.47 CA$8.99

Banana (1kg)

$0.67 CA$0.93

$3.33 CA$4.63

Oranges (1kg)

$1.67 CA$2.32

$1.43 CA$1.99

$6.67 CA$9.27

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 CA$5.61

$1.87 CA$2.60

$4.97 CA$6.91

Potato (1kg)

$2.52 CA$3.50

$0.79 CA$1.10

$5.56 CA$7.73

Onion (1kg)

$2.88 CA$4.01

$0.73 CA$1.02

$4.83 CA$6.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.70 CA$3.76

$1.86 CA$2.59

$2.99 CA$4.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 CA$2.49

$1.09 CA$1.51

$5.10 CA$7.09

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.83 CA$20.61

$11.11 CA$15.45

$18.54 CA$25.76

Wine (Bottle)

$13.68 CA$19.01

$10.80 CA$15.01

$16.55 CA$23.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.34 CA$3.25

$1.43 CA$1.98

$4.59 CA$6.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 CA$4.39

$1.88 CA$2.61

$5.26 CA$7.31

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.45 CA$2.01

$2.54 CA$3.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$62.6 CA$87.0

$50.9 CA$70.8

$62.6 CA$87.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.88 CA$4.00

$2.69 CA$3.74

$2.91 CA$4.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.72 CA$2.39

$1.67 CA$2.32

$1.79 CA$2.48

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.72 CA$48.26

$34.95 CA$48.57

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 CA$1.75

$1.20 CA$1.67

$1.38 CA$1.92

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.8K CA$34.5K

$27.8K CA$38.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.4K CA$28.3K

$20.5K CA$28.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$144 CA$199

$85.2 CA$118

$296 CA$412

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.2 CA$71.1

$36.19 CA$50.3

$72.4 CA$101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.8 CA$80.3

$50.6 CA$70.3

$86.7 CA$120

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.85 CA$58.2

$18.38 CA$25.55

$55.1 CA$76.6

Cinema Ticket

$11.59 CA$16.11

$10.36 CA$14.40

$14.54 CA$20.22

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,088 CA$1,512

$1,050 CA$1,460

$1,275 CA$1,773

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$17.0K CA$23.6K

$10.3K CA$14.4K

$20.7K CA$28.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.1 CA$72.4

$36.65 CA$50.9

$62.3 CA$86.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.43 CA$56.2

$29.40 CA$40.87

$58.8 CA$81.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.0 CA$117

$58.2 CA$80.9

$102 CA$142

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 CA$180

$101 CA$140

$179 CA$249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,375 CA$1,911

$999 CA$1,388

$1,447 CA$2,012

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,164 CA$1,618

$873 CA$1,213

$1,237 CA$1,719

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,213 CA$3,076

$2,065 CA$2,871

$2,360 CA$3,281

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,536 CA$2,136

$1,463 CA$2,034

$2,049 CA$2,848

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,231 CA$4,492

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

4.45

8.75

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Nelson BC - Frequently Asked Questions

Nelson BC tends to strike a favorable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with larger urban centers. You'll find housing options that bite less into your budget and a vibrant local scene without the same price pressure as coastal megacities. Cost of Living in Nelson BC, Canada tends to feel reasonable for a provincial town, with value concentrated in practical choices like rental shares, locally sourced groceries, and services that favor community-based economies. Seasonal tourism bumps can affect prices, but the grid of shops, cafes, and co-working spaces remains approachable. Tip: Test a few neighborhoods during different seasons to gauge real costs against your daily routines.

Daily life centers on a compact downtown, lake-and-mountain access, and a mix of cafes, markets, and services. In housing, you’ll find a spectrum from shared apartments to small rental homes; a short-term stay helps you test neighborhoods before signing a lease. Food options emphasize local produce, seasonal specials, and independent grocers. Transit is walkable with bike lanes and occasional buses; many prefer biking or car-sharing for weekend outings. Nelson BC living cost varies by neighborhood but remains manageable when you balance longer leases with community spaces and locally minded stores. Tip: group errands to minimize trips and take advantage of seasonal farmers markets.

Quality of life in Nelson BC centers on outdoor access, community events, and a walkable pace that suits remote work. Build a budgeting framework around essentials, discretionary spending, and a buffer for seasonal changes in activities. Seasonality matters: winter recreation and summer festivals can shift costs and crowds, so plan months in advance for accommodation and transport during peak times. Neighborhood fit often hinges on proximity to cafes, parks, or trails; Uptown and the downtown corridor offer convenience, while hillside blocks reward with views and quieter mornings. Tip: choose a flexible plan that allows for occasional retreats or side gigs in nearby towns to stretch your budget.