Living wage is the hourly pay someone needs to earn from work to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community, according to Living Wage Canada, a federally incorporated non-profit that works with provincial living wage campaigns.
Living Wage for Families B.C., an organization that works with communities to calculate local living wages, puts out new living wage data in November each year which means there are updated rates now.
This organization bases the living wage in B.C. on the hourly pay that two working parents with two young children each need to earn to pay for basic expenses like rent, childcare, food and transportation.
Living wage in Metro Vancouver is $25.68 for 2023, according to Living Wage for Families B.C.
Here are a few small towns and cities across the province that have lower living wages, meaning it's less expensive to live in these places compared to Vancouver!
Trail
Trail is a small city that's located seven hours east of Vancouver and near the Canada-U.S. border between B.C. and Washington state.
This place is "easy and affordable to explore" thanks to its friendliness, lifestyle, history, and "favourable climate," according to the city.
For 2023, the living wage in Trail is $21.55 which is $4.13 lower than the living wage in Vancouver.
Nelson
Nelson is a city a little less than eight hours east of Vancouver.
"Our glorious natural surroundings make the perfect outdoor playground, while our eclectic art, music and culture scene can keep you busy every night of the week," the city shared.
Also, Nelson has a fully restored streetcar that was in service from 1925 to 1949. You can ride in the old-fashioned street car as it goes along Kootenay Lake to Lakeside Park.
Nelson's living wage this year is $21.14 — $4.54 cheaper than what it takes to afford the cost of living in Vancouver.
Dawson Creek
Dawson Creek, located 13 hours northeast of Vancouver and near the border between B.C. and Alberta, is a city that's known as "the Capital of the Peace."
This city shared that low housing costs — the average price of a single-family home is just $305,000 — and many neighbourhoods make it "easy" to live in Dawson Creek.
It has a living wage of $20.64 which is $5.04 lower than Vancouver's living wage.
Comox
Comox is a small town on the east coast of Vancouver Island with a vibrant downtown core, extensive greenways and parks, and stunning beaches.
The town's name is derived from the Salish word "Koumuckthay" which means "Land of Plenty."
It's surrounded by the ocean and beaches so you can go whale watching, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, sailing and more.
Also, there are extensive hiking and biking trails that can be used year-round thanks to the temperate climate.
Comox Valley — which includes Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Royston, Union Bay, Fanny Bay, Black Creek, and Merville — has a living wage of $22.02.
That's $3.66 lower than Vancouver's living wage.
Penticton
Penticton is located in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley, four hours east of Vancouver.
It's nestled between two lakes and is known for beaches, wine and orchards, trails, outdoor markets, art galleries, skiing and more.
Plus, Penticton has more than 2,000 hours of sunshine every year!
"It's the kind of place where people come to visit for the holidays – and never want to leave," the city shared.
Penticton's name comes from the Interior Salish word "snpintktn" which is commonly translated as "a place to stay forever," or "a place where people live year-round."
According to Living Wage for Families B.C., you need to make $24.60 an hour in Penticton to afford the cost of living. So, the living wage is $1.08 cheaper than in Vancouver.
Hope
Hope is located at the eastern part of the Fraser Valley less than two hours from Metro Vancouver.
It's an ideal place for remote workers because it has a "key" location in the province and the "most affordable real estate" in Fraser Valley.
Also, Hope is the self-proclaimed Chainsaw Carving Capital with more than 80 wood carvings around the community.
Fraser Valley — which includes Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Harrison, Mission, and Hope — has a cost of living of $20.66 for 2023, according to Living Wage for Families B.C.
That's more than $5 cheaper than Vancouver's living wage.
Prince George
Prince George is a city that's located more than eight hours north of Vancouver.
"The arts, culture, and heritage are as much of a part of our city as nature and trees," the city said. "There's always something to do in Prince George, no matter the time of year."
It has more than 100 kilometres of trails and over 1,500 hectares of parks and green spaces.
Even though Prince George experiences all four seasons, there are still 1,900 hours of sunshine each year!
Plus, it's home to Mr. PG, a more than 26-foot-tall roadside attraction that looks like an old-timey wooden figurine.
Prince George's living wage this year is $22.09 which means it takes $3.59 less to afford the cost of living there than in Vancouver.
Invermere
Invermere is a small community located about nine hours northeast of Vancouver, just across the B.C.-Alberta border from Calgary.
It's nestled between the Purcell Mountains and the Rocky Mountains in the Columbia Valley and is also known as Invermere on the Lake.
"Invermere is the perfect place to call home," said Invermere Mayor Al Miller.
It's on the warm side of the Rockies and has lakes, hot springs, farmers' markets, hiking and biking trails, mountain ski resorts, ziplining and more.
Also, it's home to the Whiteway, the world's longest outdoor skating trail!
Columbia Valley — which includes Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Invermere, Panorama, Radium Hot Springs, Edgewater, Brisco, and Spillimacheen — has a living wage of $22.63 in 2023.
That's $3.05 less than Vancouver's living wage.
