City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Vancouver skyline
Vancouver
VS

Vancouver is 8% cheaper than Chicago overall.

ChicagoVancouver
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$2,600.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$2,150.00 CAD
Groceries Index105110
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$105.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$130.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.85 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$30.00 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$65.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,238.08 CAD$1,400.00 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Chicago...

You would need $55,462 in Vancouver to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Vancouver?

Vancouver is 8% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Vancouver?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $2,600 CAD in Vancouver. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $2,150 CAD in Vancouver.

What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Vancouver?

On average, you need about 92% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $55,462 in Vancouver.

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