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Vancouver vs Seattle

Vancouver runs about 18% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 USD a month.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+18%
Seattle relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$80
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

VancouverSeattle
  • Housing
    Housing: Vancouver $2,100, Seattle $2,020. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Vancouver $774, Seattle $849. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: Vancouver $162, Seattle $189. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Vancouver $221, Seattle $227. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Vancouver $9.20, Seattle $537. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Vancouver $168, Seattle $181. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: Vancouver $107, Seattle $159. Cheaper in Vancouver.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricVancouverSeattle
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD✓4,162 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)55✓65
Housing2,100 USD2,020 USD✓
Utilities221 USD✓227 USD
Food774 USD✓849 USD
Transport162 USD✓189 USD
Healthcare9 USD✓537 USD
Lifestyle168 USD✓181 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate26.9%21.1%✓
Left over each month2,547 USD✓2,413 USD
Average local net salary3,300 USD5,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD2,020 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD✓3,856 USD
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD8,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓58/100
Healthcare84/10086/100✓
Air quality84/100✓78/100
Public transport70/100✓68/100
Walkability76/100✓74/100
English proficiency96/100100/100✓
Nightlife72/10076/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓70/100
Median broadband210 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓12°C
Summer high23°C✓26°C
Winter low1°C2°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h2,170 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm950 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyCADUSD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Los_Angeles

Vancouver runs about 18% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in VancouverCost of living in SeattleConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Vancouver vs TorontoVancouver vs ChicagoVancouver vs Los Angeles
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Seattle cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 18% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 621 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Seattle compared with Vancouver?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,088 a month in Vancouver and $6,575 in Seattle, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Vancouver or Seattle?

Vancouver scores 74/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Seattle scores 58 and 86. Vancouver averages 11°C against 12°C in Seattle.