Unlikely Metro Vancouver City Named Among Canada’s Worst for Comfort
- staysafevancouver
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
If you live in Metro Vancouver, you’ve probably felt the squeeze of rising costs. But according to a new MoneySense report, one city in the region stands out as especially tough for residents trying to maintain a “comfortable” lifestyle.
The findings show just how much income you’d need each year to cover rent, groceries, transportation, and everyday expenses — and the number may surprise you.
What the MoneySense Report Found About Metro Vancouver City
MoneySense analyzed what it takes for a single renter to live comfortably in cities across Canada with populations over 50,000. The calculations included:
Rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, and leisure costs
Income taxes (20%–25% of gross income for middle earners)
Savings targets of 10%–15%
An added 10%–20% “comfort margin” for unexpected expenses
The results paint a clear picture of just how high the bar is set — with one city in particular ranking among the worst in the country.
Coquitlam Tops the List in Metro Vancouver
If you call Coquitlam home, you’ll need one of the highest incomes in the country just to live comfortably. According to MoneySense, a single renter in Coquitlam must earn $104,928 per year to maintain a reasonable standard of living. That works out to an average of $4,372 per month just to cover the basics and a small margin for savings.
What does that mean for you? Coquitlam ranks as the most expensive city in Metro Vancouver for a comfortable life, even edging out Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Burnaby in MoneySense’s national list.
Even though Coquitlam isn’t usually the first city people think of when it comes to high living costs, the numbers show that residents here face some of the toughest financial pressures in the region.
North Vancouver’s High Cost of Rent and Living
North Vancouver comes in just behind Coquitlam, making it the second least comfortable city in Metro Vancouver and the fifth worst in Canada.
To live comfortably here, MoneySense estimates you’d need an annual income of $103,512. That translates to about $4,313 per month in living costs.
If you’re renting in North Vancouver, the numbers won’t surprise you. North Vancouver has also been identified by Rentals.ca as one of the most expensive rental markets in Canada.
For residents, that means even a six-figure income may not go as far as you expect once rent, groceries, transportation, and taxes are accounted for.
Vancouver vs Burnaby – Nearly Identical Living Costs
If you live in Vancouver itself, MoneySense estimates you’ll need an annual income of $102,576, or about $4,274 per month, to live comfortably. Just across the border in Burnaby, the number barely changes — residents need $102,312 per year, or roughly $4,263 per month.
For you, that means whether you’re renting in Vancouver or Burnaby, the day-to-day costs are almost the same.
The difference between the two cities is just $11 per month, making them essentially tied when it comes to affordability. No matter which side of Boundary Road you’re on, maintaining a comfortable life still requires a six-figure income.
Prince George: The Most Affordable City in BC
Not every city in BC demands a six-figure income. If you’re living in Prince George, the cost of comfort looks very different.
MoneySense found that a single renter there needs about $80,664 per year, or $3,361 per month, to cover expenses and maintain a comfortable lifestyle.
For those living outside Metro Vancouver, that gap is striking. More than $20,000 less in annual income compared to Coquitlam or North Vancouver. The difference shows just how dramatically location can shape what “comfortable” really means, even within the same province.
Ontario Cities Rank as the Least Comfortable in Canada
Across Canada, the very top of MoneySense’s list is dominated by Ontario. The report shows that Whitby, Milton, and Richmond Hill are the three least affordable cities in the country when it comes to maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
Right behind them is Coquitlam, making it the fourth least comfortable city in Canada and the highest ranked in BC.
The financial strain of a six-figure income requirement isn’t unique to Metro Vancouver. Major Ontario suburbs face the same reality, with living costs pushing the “comfortable” threshold well over $100,000 a year.
Worried about more than just the cost of living? Check out our guide to the Most Dangerous Cities in Vancouver and learn which areas locals say you should be cautious in.
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