Cost of Living in New Westminster - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: New Westminster
Address: New Westminster, CA

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,012 (excluding rent), and $2,514 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,596 (excluding rent), and $5,304 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$14.63 CA$20.04

$13.09 CA$17.93

$25.59 CA$35.06

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.0 CA$99.9

$43.77 CA$60.0

$102 CA$140

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.36 CA$12.83

$10.80 CA$14.80

Cappuccino

$3.98 CA$5.45

$2.22 CA$3.04

$5.18 CA$7.09

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

$1.98 CA$2.71

$1.09 CA$1.49

$2.32 CA$3.18

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 CA$2.00

$0.75 CA$1.03

$2.25 CA$3.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.40 CA$8.77

$4.90 CA$6.71

$7.52 CA$10.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.72 CA$9.20

$4.48 CA$6.14

$7.46 CA$10.22

Milk (1 liter)

$2.24 CA$3.07

$1.05 CA$1.43

$4.09 CA$5.60

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 CA$3.38

$1.81 CA$2.48

$3.61 CA$4.95

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.60 CA$4.93

$1.44 CA$1.97

$6.40 CA$8.77

Eggs

$3.47 CA$4.75

$2.17 CA$2.98

$4.34 CA$5.95

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.15 CA$13.90

$3.70 CA$5.07

$11.42 CA$15.64

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.47 CA$14.35

$4.49 CA$6.15

$16.45 CA$22.53

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.04 CA$13.76

$5.54 CA$7.59

$14.05 CA$19.25

Apples (1kg)

$3.06 CA$4.20

$1.74 CA$2.38

$4.70 CA$6.44

Banana (1kg)

$1.37 CA$1.88

$1.07 CA$1.46

$2.51 CA$3.44

Oranges (1kg)

$2.83 CA$3.88

$1.43 CA$1.97

$4.67 CA$6.40

Tomato (1kg)

$3.67 CA$5.02

$1.44 CA$1.97

$5.04 CA$6.90

Potato (1kg)

$2.43 CA$3.33

$0.51 CA$0.69

$6.44 CA$8.82

Onion (1kg)

$2.21 CA$3.03

$0.75 CA$1.02

$3.72 CA$5.09

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.89 CA$2.59

$1.08 CA$1.48

$2.88 CA$3.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 CA$2.89

$0.61 CA$0.84

$2.87 CA$3.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.48 CA$22.58

$14.23 CA$19.50

$18.73 CA$25.66

Wine (Bottle)

$15.49 CA$21.22

$11.06 CA$15.16

$22.12 CA$30.30

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 CA$3.08

$1.48 CA$2.02

$2.65 CA$3.63

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 CA$4.10

$1.87 CA$2.56

$3.74 CA$5.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 CA$3.51

$2.24 CA$3.06

$3.26 CA$4.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.7 CA$133

$92.3 CA$126

$112 CA$153

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.27 CA$3.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.61 CA$2.21

$1.36 CA$1.86

$1.70 CA$2.33

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.89 CA$32.72

$14.93 CA$20.46

$37.33 CA$51.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 CA$1.75

$1.17 CA$1.60

$1.34 CA$1.84

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

$24.8K CA$34.0K

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

$19.8K CA$27.1K

$20.1K CA$27.5K

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

$116 CA$159

$63.1 CA$86.5

$248 CA$340

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

$45.86 CA$62.8

$22.32 CA$30.57

$74.4 CA$102

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.4 CA$93.7

$37.41 CA$51.3

$112 CA$154

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.08 CA$46.69

$11.60 CA$15.89

$50.8 CA$69.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.08 CA$24.77

Cinema Ticket

$12.32 CA$16.88

$8.97 CA$12.28

$14.94 CA$20.47

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

$825 CA$1,130

$750 CA$1,028

$1,275 CA$1,747

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,121 CA$11.1K

$7,383 CA$10.1K

$11.1K CA$15.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.08 CA$64.5

$21.72 CA$29.76

$57.9 CA$79.4

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.48 CA$45.87

$18.20 CA$24.93

$40.04 CA$54.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.5 CA$114

$59.1 CA$80.9

$111 CA$152

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$105 CA$144

$44.42 CA$60.9

$148 CA$203

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,606 CA$2,200

$1,309 CA$1,793

$1,818 CA$2,490

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,394 CA$1,909

$1,189 CA$1,629

$2,007 CA$2,750

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,918 CA$3,997

$2,175 CA$2,979

$3,624 CA$4,965

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,735 CA$3,746

$2,056 CA$2,816

$3,304 CA$4,526

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,872 CA$6,674

$4,316 CA$5,913

$5,427 CA$7,436

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,203 CA$5,758

$3,668 CA$5,025

$4,738 CA$6,491

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,149 CA$4,314

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: April 11, 2026

New Westminster Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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.