Last update: Oct 2026 Canada 10.8K

Cost of Living in Williams Lake, BC

For one person, living costs in Williams Lake, BC are estimated at $2,038 a month, including rent and utilities, which take about half of the total. Other living expenses average about $33 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Williams Lake, BC

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Williams Lake, BC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $2,038 per month with rent, or $1,008 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,038 /mo

A couple spends around $2,920 per month with rent, or $1,707 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,920 /mo

A family of three spends around $3,801 per month with rent, or $2,406 without housing.

$3,801 /mo

Overall, Williams Lake, BC is 34–50% above the global median across household types. Within North America, costs are right at the regional average.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.74 CA$24.90
$11.36 CA$15.94
$28.38 CA$39.83
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.4 CA$89.0
$49.32 CA$69.2
$106 CA$148
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.62 CA$14.90
$9.21 CA$12.93
$12.74 CA$17.89
Cappuccino
$3.61 CA$5.07
$2.09 CA$2.93
$4.87 CA$6.83
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 CA$2.92
$1.46 CA$2.05
$2.92 CA$4.09
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 CA$2.37
$1.28 CA$1.79
$2.56 CA$3.59
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.88 CA$6.84
$3.37 CA$4.72
$6.73 CA$9.45
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.36 CA$7.53
$4.19 CA$5.88
$6.71 CA$9.41
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.27 CA$3.19
$1.92 CA$2.70
$2.62 CA$3.68
White Bread (500g)
$2.57 CA$3.61
$1.80 CA$2.52
$3.60 CA$5.06
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.80 CA$5.33
$1.97 CA$2.77
$7.91 CA$11.11
Eggs
$3.38 CA$4.74
$2.69 CA$3.77
$4.86 CA$6.82
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.16 CA$14.26
$5.70 CA$8.01
$18.70 CA$26.25
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.80 CA$16.56
$7.28 CA$10.22
$18.19 CA$25.53
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.60 CA$20.49
$7.80 CA$10.94
$23.39 CA$32.83
Apples (1kg)
$3.75 CA$5.26
$1.75 CA$2.45
$5.57 CA$7.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.33 CA$1.87
$0.93 CA$1.31
$2.86 CA$4.01
Oranges (1kg)
$3.57 CA$5.01
$2.00 CA$2.81
$5.85 CA$8.22
Tomato (1kg)
$3.86 CA$5.41
$2.09 CA$2.93
$6.33 CA$8.88
Potato (1kg)
$2.43 CA$3.41
$0.95 CA$1.33
$4.98 CA$6.98
Onion (1kg)
$2.26 CA$3.18
$1.44 CA$2.02
$3.65 CA$5.13
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.42 CA$3.40
$1.42 CA$2.00
$3.55 CA$4.99
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 CA$2.03
$0.63 CA$0.89
$2.35 CA$3.30
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.42 CA$17.43
$9.94 CA$13.95
$13.91 CA$19.52
Wine (Bottle)
$14.53 CA$20.39
$10.50 CA$14.74
$20.19 CA$28.33
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.60 CA$3.65
$1.68 CA$2.35
$4.03 CA$5.66
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70 CA$3.79
$1.85 CA$2.60
$4.32 CA$6.07
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.37 CA$3.32
$2.18 CA$3.06
$2.55 CA$3.58
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$60.6 CA$85.0
$51.9 CA$72.9
$60.8 CA$85.3
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.63 CA$3.69
$2.56 CA$3.59
$4.04 CA$5.67
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.62 CA$2.27
$1.51 CA$2.12
$2.06 CA$2.89
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.61 CA$35.94
$23.28 CA$32.68
$31.04 CA$43.56
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 CA$1.68
$1.13 CA$1.58
$1.37 CA$1.92
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3K CA$39.7K
$26.8K CA$37.6K
$28.9K CA$40.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1K CA$31.0K
$20.2K CA$28.4K
$24.2K CA$34.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$138 CA$194
$93.3 CA$131
$215 CA$302
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.57 CA$45.70
$18.09 CA$25.39
$47.04 CA$66.0
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.3 CA$118
$83.3 CA$117
$85.4 CA$120
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.04 CA$52.0
$12.10 CA$16.99
$48.95 CA$68.7
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.65 CA$24.77
$6.93 CA$9.73
$17.65 CA$24.77
Cinema Ticket
$10.59 CA$14.86
$9.89 CA$13.88
$14.13 CA$19.82
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$683 CA$959
$364 CA$510
$1,068 CA$1,499
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K CA$20.6K
$11.0K CA$15.4K
$18.8K CA$26.4K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2 CA$78.8
$29.06 CA$40.78
$79.9 CA$112
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.39 CA$53.9
$21.19 CA$29.73
$60.0 CA$84.2
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.1 CA$136
$64.2 CA$90.1
$128 CA$180
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.6 CA$128
$53.5 CA$75.1
$126 CA$177
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$936 CA$1,314
$720 CA$1,011
$1,224 CA$1,718
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$892 CA$1,252
$571 CA$801
$1,213 CA$1,703
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,339 CA$1,879
$987 CA$1,385
$1,551 CA$2,176
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 CA$1,764
$862 CA$1,210
$1,652 CA$2,318
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,775 CA$6,701
$2,643 CA$3,709
$4,775 CA$6,701
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,838 CA$5,387
$2,679 CA$3,760
$3,838 CA$5,387
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,168 CA$4,445
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.68
4.09
6

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

Last update: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Williams Lake, BC $2,038
Accommodation & Living
$892
Groceries & Markets
$357
Eating Out
$267
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$255
Clothing & Footwear
$127
Getting Around
$81
Sport & Entertainment
$58

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $936, dropping to $892 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 30% of the average salary ($3,168) – close to the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $3,168 – comfortably above monthly costs of $2,038. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $3,057.

Groceries cost around $357 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $63 – well below the North American average of $78.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $61 – roughly in line with the North American average of $54.

Cost Highlights

Internet is more expensive than 91% of cities in North America

Milk is more expensive than 91% of cities in North America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
09:45 9:45 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
10,753
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1.4 CAD (1 CAD = 0.713 USD). 1 EUR = 1.56 CAD (1 CAD = 0.64 EUR).

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Williams Lake, BC Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Williams Lake, BC - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Williams Lake compare in terms of affordability, and who tends to get good value there?
Compared with bigger urban centers, Williams Lake offers a quieter pace and more space for your dollar. If you value outdoor life, straightforward services, and a tight-knit community, the city tends to feel more affordable for longer stays than metro hubs. Housing can be notably more accessible, and everyday groceries and dining strike a practical balance, though seasonal tourism can nudge prices briefly. Cost of Living in Williams Lake, BC, Canada gives you a useful framework for planning in advance and comparing neighborhoods. Tip: Start by defining a budget around essential expenses and compare neighborhoods by rental terms and proximity to services.
What does day-to-day life look like for housing, food, transport, and work-friendly spaces here?
Daily life in Williams Lake centers on practicality and access to nature. When housing, you’ll discover a mix of rental apartments, duplexes, and family homes with neighborhood feel; downtown offers convenience while the calmer outskirts offer more space. Food options range from farmers markets to reliable grocery stores and several casual eateries; you can balance budget by cooking at home and trying co-ops or community kitchens. Transportation is workable with a car, but a compact transit option and bike-friendly streets help if you prefer strolling to errands. Coworking spaces and cafés with reliable Wi-Fi support remote work. Williams Lake, BC, Canada living cost helps you compare options. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test neighborhoods and confirm access to essential services.
What factors influence quality of life and how can you budget and choose a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle?
Quality of life in Williams Lake centers on access to outdoor recreation, community events, and a slower pace that suits many remote workers. To budget effectively, adopt a simple framework: separate housing, utilities, groceries, and discretionary spending; track your use by week rather than by category; prioritize long-term leases to lock in steadier costs and avoid frequent moves; seasonal seasonality influences daylight, outdoor activities, and energy use, so plan winter gear and summer gear accordingly. Neighborhood fit depends on proximity to trails, schools, and amenities; consider a walkable core versus a tranquil fringe. Tip: Build a two-week test plan to sample different areas and routines.
What is the average cost of living in Williams Lake, BC?
A single person in Williams Lake, BC typically spends $2,038 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $1,008. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average cost of living in Williams Lake, BC in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Williams Lake, BC should plan on about $2,038 per month with rent, or $1,008 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
What is the average salary in Williams Lake, BC?
After taxes, the average worker in Williams Lake, BC takes home about $3,168 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is rent high in Williams Lake, BC?
Rent in Williams Lake, BC is middle-of-the-road – 1-bedroom apartments fall between $892 and $936 per month. Not cheap, not outrageous, with reasonable options across most neighborhoods.
Is food expensive in Williams Lake, BC?
Groceries in Williams Lake, BC aren’t cheap – expect to spend around $357 per month. Even basic staples are priced above global averages, and organic or imported products push the bill higher. Cooking at home still saves money versus eating out, but food is a noticeable expense here.
How much is public transport in Williams Lake, BC?
Getting around Williams Lake, BC by public transport costs about $61 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Williams Lake, BC?
$2,000 is below the $2,038 average in Williams Lake, BC, so it’s tight but not impossible. You’ll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Williams Lake, BC a good city for digital nomads?
Williams Lake, BC has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet. At around $2,038 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.

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