MTC Logo MTC Canada's Finance Hub
Menu
Store: templates & planners
location_city NL vs location_city BC

St. John's vs Vancouver Cost of Living (2026)

Vancouver is about 85% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $2,800 a month in Vancouver vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in Vancouver is 85% more expensive than living in St. John's overall.

St. John's / month

$1,930

Vancouver / month

$3,440

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Salary in St. John's

$100,000

Take-home $70,603 · $5,884/mo

Needed in Vancouver

$184,959

Take-home $128,028 · $10,669/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in Vancouver you'd need $84,959 more a year (+85%).

Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.

Expense Breakdown

real_estate_agent

Average Rent

1-Bed City Center

St. John's

$1,400

100% more expensive

Vancouver

$2,800

shopping_cart

Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

St. John's

$450

2% more expensive

Vancouver

$460

directions_transit

Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

St. John's

$80

125% more expensive

Vancouver

$180

Advertisement

Keep going

Plan your move

Advertisement