Vancouver vs Boston Cost of Living

Vancouver (Canada) · Overall index 67.8Boston (United States) · Overall index 84.9

Summary

  • Overall, Boston is 25% more expensive than Vancouver.
  • Rent in Boston is 47% more expensive than in Vancouver.
  • Transport in Boston is 24% more expensive than in Vancouver.
ItemVancouverBostonDiff
Rent+47%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,238$3,269+46%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,452$1,931+33%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,668$5,699+55%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,620$4,016+53%
Groceries+22%
Milk (1L)$1.13$1.23+9%
White bread (500g)$3.03$3.9+29%
Rice (1kg)$4.07$5.61+38%
Eggs (12)$3.5$4.67+33%
Local cheese (1kg)$12.4$13.9+12%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$11.4$12+5%
Beef round (1kg)$15.3$20+31%
Apples (1kg)$4.33$6.14+42%
Bananas (1kg)$1.87$2.28+22%
Oranges (1kg)$3.85$4.62+20%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.99$5.51+10%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.7$3.25+20%
Onions (1kg)$2.44$2.95+21%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.27$2.84+25%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.83$2.22+21%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$12.8$16.2+27%
Transport+24%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.09$2.61+25%
Public transport, monthly pass$103$114+11%
Taxi, base fare$2.83$3.53+25%
Taxi, per km$1.43$1.74+22%
Gasoline (1L)$0.7$0.86+23%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$20,323$28,251+39%
Dining out+21%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$18.3$22.5+23%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$96.1$120+25%
Fast food combo meal$8.11$10.3+27%
Cappuccino$4.64$4.9+6%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.84$2.58+40%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$6.06$7.54+24%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.37$7.42+16%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.63$1.86+14%
Telecom+8%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$47.5$53.5+13%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$62.1$66.8+8%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.28$0.32+14%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.4$13.5+1%
Utilities & household+16%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$156$161+3%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.19$0.2+5%
Tap water (1m³)$4.27$4.73+11%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.21$1.61+33%
Waste collection (monthly)$18$23.6+31%
Fitness club (monthly)$74.4$83.8+13%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$13.6$14.9+10%
Men's haircut$25.1$30.1+20%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$22.4$27.4+22%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,656$1,899+15%

3,256 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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