Cost of Living in New Westminster - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: New Westminster
Address: New Westminster, CA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,089 (excluding rent), and $2,503 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,779 (excluding rent), and $5,367 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.92 CA$20.44

$13.35 CA$18.29

$26.10 CA$35.76

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.1 CA$100

$43.84 CA$60.1

$102 CA$140

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.68 CA$13.26

$11.17 CA$15.30

Cappuccino

$3.87 CA$5.31

$2.16 CA$2.96

$5.04 CA$6.90

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

$2.03 CA$2.78

$1.11 CA$1.53

$2.38 CA$3.26

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.43 CA$1.96

$0.73 CA$1.01

$2.19 CA$3.00

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.31 CA$8.64

$4.83 CA$6.61

$7.42 CA$10.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.77 CA$9.27

$4.51 CA$6.18

$7.51 CA$10.29

Milk (1 liter)

$2.26 CA$3.10

$1.06 CA$1.45

$4.13 CA$5.66

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 CA$3.34

$1.79 CA$2.45

$3.57 CA$4.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.76 CA$5.15

$1.50 CA$2.06

$6.69 CA$9.17

Eggs

$3.46 CA$4.74

$2.17 CA$2.97

$4.33 CA$5.93

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.13 CA$13.87

$3.69 CA$5.06

$11.39 CA$15.61

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.45 CA$14.32

$4.48 CA$6.14

$16.41 CA$22.49

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.83 CA$13.46

$5.42 CA$7.43

$13.75 CA$18.83

Apples (1kg)

$3.20 CA$4.38

$1.81 CA$2.49

$4.91 CA$6.73

Banana (1kg)

$1.38 CA$1.89

$1.08 CA$1.47

$2.52 CA$3.46

Oranges (1kg)

$2.95 CA$4.04

$1.50 CA$2.05

$4.87 CA$6.68

Tomato (1kg)

$3.68 CA$5.04

$1.44 CA$1.97

$5.05 CA$6.92

Potato (1kg)

$2.46 CA$3.37

$0.51 CA$0.70

$6.52 CA$8.93

Onion (1kg)

$2.22 CA$3.04

$0.75 CA$1.03

$3.72 CA$5.10

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.87 CA$2.57

$1.07 CA$1.46

$2.86 CA$3.91

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 CA$2.95

$0.62 CA$0.86

$2.92 CA$4.01

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.32 CA$22.35

$14.09 CA$19.31

$18.54 CA$25.40

Wine (Bottle)

$15.31 CA$20.97

$10.93 CA$14.98

$21.87 CA$29.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 CA$2.97

$1.42 CA$1.95

$2.55 CA$3.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.98 CA$4.08

$1.86 CA$2.55

$3.72 CA$5.10

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 CA$3.48

$2.22 CA$3.04

$3.23 CA$4.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.1 CA$132

$91.6 CA$126

$111 CA$152

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.18 CA$2.99

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 CA$2.23

$1.37 CA$1.88

$1.72 CA$2.35

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.30 CA$31.92

$14.57 CA$19.96

$36.41 CA$49.88

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 CA$1.74

$1.17 CA$1.60

$1.34 CA$1.84

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

$24.6K CA$33.7K

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

$19.8K CA$27.1K

$20.0K CA$27.4K

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

$119 CA$163

$64.7 CA$88.7

$255 CA$349

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

$45.57 CA$62.4

$22.17 CA$30.38

$73.9 CA$101

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.1 CA$93.3

$37.24 CA$51.0

$112 CA$153

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.26 CA$46.93

$11.66 CA$15.97

$51.0 CA$69.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.49 CA$25.34

Cinema Ticket

$11.99 CA$16.43

$8.73 CA$11.96

$14.54 CA$19.92

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

$801 CA$1,098

$729 CA$998

$1,238 CA$1,697

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,227 CA$11.3K

$7,479 CA$10.2K

$11.2K CA$15.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.00 CA$64.4

$21.68 CA$29.71

$57.8 CA$79.2

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.30 CA$45.62

$18.10 CA$24.80

$39.82 CA$54.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.4 CA$114

$59.0 CA$80.9

$111 CA$152

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 CA$145

$44.76 CA$61.3

$149 CA$204

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,641 CA$2,248

$1,338 CA$1,833

$1,858 CA$2,545

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,372 CA$1,880

$1,171 CA$1,604

$1,976 CA$2,707

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,940 CA$4,028

$2,191 CA$3,002

$3,652 CA$5,004

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,784 CA$3,813

$2,092 CA$2,866

$3,363 CA$4,607

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,981 CA$6,824

$4,413 CA$6,046

$5,550 CA$7,603

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,148 CA$5,683

$3,620 CA$4,960

$4,676 CA$6,406

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,200 CA$4,384

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

4.45

6.9

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

Last update: March 1, 2026

New Westminster Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in New Westminster - Frequently Asked Questions

New Westminster offers a measured balance between access and cost within the Metro Vancouver area. Compared with Vancouver proper, certain housing and daily expenses can feel more affordable, especially if you’re willing to live a bit farther from the core and favor newer apartment buildings or furnished units. Food, utilities, and local services align with typical Canadian city patterns, with seasonal changes shaping groceries and outdoor activities. For digital nomads, the city’s compact center and growing coworking scene provide value without long commutes. Overall, Cost of Living in New Westminster, Canada tends to reward those who value riverfront access and a calmer pace while staying well connected by transit. Tip: Compare neighborhood-by-neighborhood and test a few short stays before committing.

In daily life, you’ll find a mix of rental options from older apartments with character to newer mid-rise buildings near the river. Start your housing search in neighborhoods like Uptown, New Westminster Quay, and Sapperton to compare walkability and access to the SkyTrain. Grocery stores range from big chains to local markets, with seasonal produce and diverse dining options supporting varied budgets. Transit is practical with reliable rail and bus connections; biking is feasible in many areas, and street parking tends to be tighter around the core. The New Westminster living cost guides how you choose between a compact condo and a larger home with a commute. Tip: use a short-term rental first to test the area and commute times.

Quality of life in New Westminster blends riverfront access with a compact, walkable center and access to parks, libraries, and cultural offerings. A sensible budgeting framework focuses on housing and transit first, then groceries and utilities, while keeping a contingency for activities and dining. Practical savings come from cooking at home, planning ahead for busy shopping days, and choosing neighborhoods that fit your daily routines. Seasonality shapes outdoor plans more than prices, with milder months offering longer walks and patio time. When choosing a neighborhood, prioritize proximity to transit, access to services, and a pace that suits your work and lifestyle. Tip: build a simple monthly plan that adapts with the seasons.