British Columbia, Canada
Your guide to living in Vancouver: demographics, cost of living, quality of life, and education.
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NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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662,248
British Columbia
5
Major industries
White
46.2%
Chinese
27.2%
South Asian
6%
Filipino
5.7%
Vancouver has the second-largest Chinese population by share in any major North American city. Metro Vancouver's Surrey, Richmond, and Burnaby suburbs have even higher concentrations of South Asian, Chinese, and Filipino residents respectively.
Downtown rent
$2,700/mo
Suburban rent
$2,100/mo
Groceries
$420/mo
Recommended monthly budget
$4,400/mo
Vancouver has the highest housing costs in Canada, driven by constrained land supply, geography, and foreign and domestic investment. Newcomers should plan aggressively for housing in their first year and consider the Lower Mainland suburbs for affordability.
Safety rating
Vancouver is served by the Vancouver School Board. The University of British Columbia is consistently ranked among the top 40 universities globally, with particular strengths in research, forestry, and Asian studies. Simon Fraser University (Burnaby), BCIT, and Emily Carr University are also in Metro Vancouver.
Helpful reads about living in Vancouver.
Express Entry from Vancouver: What You Need to Know
A guide to applying through Express Entry while living in Vancouver, including CRS tips and provincial nomination options.
Read articleBest Neighborhoods in Vancouver for Newcomers
Where to live when you first arrive in Vancouver — affordability, transit, schools, and immigrant communities.
Read articleWe don't have a verified lawyer listed for Vancouver yet.
NOT A LAW FIRM: MoveToCanada is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect immigrants with licensed immigration lawyers.
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Notable landmarks
Vancouver is Canada's third-largest metropolitan area and its primary Pacific gateway, with the busiest port in North America by tonnage. The city has one of the most significant Chinese, South Asian, Iranian, and Filipino populations in Canada, and is home to a growing technology sector often called 'Hollywood North' for its film and TV production.
Transit rating
Winter average temperature
4°C
Summer average temperature
22°C
Vancouver consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities. Mild winters, ocean and mountain access, and the TransLink SkyTrain network make it highly attractive. Healthcare is anchored by Vancouver General Hospital and BC Children's Hospital.
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