You are here
Home / International / New International Students
If you are new to Canada and Metro Vancouver, you will have to find a place to live. While KPU does not have on-campus student residences, there are many great housing options in Metro Vancouver, including homestay, student accommodations, and more.
Reminder!
The information on this page is provided as a courtesy to students. KPU does not verify the information in these listings and web sites, nor are the listed properties subject to any form of University inspection. KPU does not take responsibility for off-campus rental accommodation.
Please visit the Information for International Students Travelling to Canada webpage for more information on travelling to Canada.
Homestay
Homestay programs allow students to live in a Canadian home as a member of the family. Students share meals with their hosts, participate in family activities and conversations, and establish friendships with people who can help make the adjustment to new surroundings much easier. Homestay programs often provide custodianship services for minor students as well.If this housing option appeals to you, below are some homestay agencies that can help you find a host family.
Please Note: The information on this page is provided as a courtesy to students. KPU does not verify the information in these listings and web sites, nor are the listed properties subject to any form of University inspection. KPU does not take responsibility for off-campus rental accommodation.
Canada Homestay Network (CHN)
Canada Homestay Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit society dedicated to intercultural exchange through homestay. CHN offers the highest standards for homestay accommodations with carefully screened host families and unlimited student support. CHN also offers custodianship, optional airport transfers, and 24/7 assistance.
Contact Email: help@canadahomestaynetwork.ca
Website: www.canadahomestaynetwork.ca/for-students
Approximate Costs:CAD $1,050 for4 weeks, 2 meals/day (private room)
Quarantine Package?Yes; see canadahomestaynetwork.ca/safearrival
Cypress Homestay
Cypress Homestay offers students the opportunity to experience Canadian lifestyle and culture. Students' preferencesare taken into account when matching students with host families in order to ensure a great fit. Cypress is committed to ensuring student comfort, and provides local and personalized support.
Contact Email: adm@cypressaccommodations.com
Website: www.cypressaccommodations.com
Approximate Costs:CAD $900 plus placement fee $155for4 weeks, 2 meals/day (private room) / CAD $820 plus placement fee $155 for 4 weeks, 2 meals/day (shared room)
Quarantine Package?Please contact Cypress Homestay for more information.
First Choice International Placement Inc
First Choice International Placement Inc. is pleased to be the preferred provider of monitored custodial guardianship, homestay placement, and airport transportation services for minor-aged post-secondary students throughout Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas.
Contact Email: info@myfci.ca
Website: www.myfci.ca
Approximate Costs:CAD $1,315 for4 weeks withfull board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)in a private room
Quarantine Package?Please contact First Choice International Placement Inc for more information.
Harmony Homestay
Harmony Homestay has a diverse database of homestay families to be able to provide a variety of options when choosing a homestay family. We work to provide the best possible match for each placement. The more information we have at the outset, the faster and more accurate the matching will be.
Contact Email: info@harmonyhomestay.com
Website: www.harmonyhomestay.com
Approximate Costs:CAD $950 for one month in a private room, including 3 meals per day
Quarantine Package?Please contact Harmony Homestay for more information.
Homadorma
Homadorma operates the largest online homestay network in Canada. Students have the flexibility to compare and choose the most suitable homestay for their needs in Vancouver.
Contact Email: service@homadorma.com
Website: www.homadorma.com
Approximate Costs:Varies, but typically costs between CAD $700-$1200 per month.
Quarantine Package?Please contact service@homadorma.com to learn more.
Student Accommodations
While KPU does not have student housing, many companies in Metro Vancouver offer off-campus student accommodations. This is a great option for you if you’d like to meet students from other schools, experience living in a community with other students, and expand your network in Canada beyond your KPU connections. Some popular student accommodations are listed below:
Please Note: The information on this page is provided as a courtesy to students. KPU does not verify the information in these listings and web sites, nor are the listed properties subject to any form of University inspection. KPU does not take responsibility for off-campus rental accommodation.
CASA Toronto/Vancouver
CASA Toronto/Vancouver fills the international student's demand for better accommodation services. CASA offers three distinct, high quality, and well-pricedstudent living experiences (homestay, shared accommodation, and suites).
Contact Email: marketing@casa-toronto.com
Website: www.casa-toronto.com/vancouver/
4Stay
An online marketplace connecting students and interns with local hosts, room providers, and roommates near their destinations.
Website: www.4stay.com
Cypress Accommodations
Cypress Accommodations operates numerous studetnt residencesin Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
Contact Email: adm@cypressaccommodations.com
Website: www.cypressaccommodations.com
GEC Living
GEC is the largest off-campus student community in Vancouver, providing fully furnished suites, all-inclusive amenities, and flexible leasing at convenient locations. Accommodations at GEC include utilities, laundry, WiFi, on-site management, social events, and so much more. GEC connects you with your classes, your friends, and everything Vancouver has to offer.
Contact Email: reservations@gecliving.com
Website: www.gecliving.com
Rentals
Many students choose to rent privately for flexibility and independence. As it can be difficult to secure a good rental while abroad, we recommend that you stay at a homestay, student residence, or short-term accommodation (such as a hotel or AirBnB) for your first month in Canada. This way, you can take your time to go see any potential rentals in person before making any decisions. Before renting a property, you as a tenant should be familiar with the rules and regulations that govern how residential properties or units are rented in B.C. please visitStarting a Tenancy - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)to learn more.
Please Note: The information on this page is provided as a courtesy to students. KPU does not verify the information in these listings and web sites, nor are the listed properties subject to any form of University inspection. KPU does not take responsibility for off-campus rental accommodation.
Where to Find Rentals
In Metro Vancouver, most people find rentals by searching online. The most popular websites for rentals are:
- Craigslist
- Kijiji
- Facebook Marketplace (accessible through your Facebook account)
Before conducting your search, be sure to check out the section Watch Out for Scams.
Questions to Consider When Renting
Many different rental options are available in Metro Vancouver. What you choose will depend on your budget and needs. Some important things to consider are:
- Will you be close to your main KPU campus? If not, will it be easy to get to campus by public transportation? Some individuals are OK with a long commute for cheaper rent. Others may prefer to pay more for convenience, or to live closer to city centre. You can estimate the distance using Google Maps.
- Is your rental furnished? If it is unfurnished, you will need to procure your own furnishings (bed, drawers, desks, chairs, etc.)
- What amenities are close to your rental? Are there things like grocery stores, restaurants, community centres, and parks near your rental? You’ll have to decide what’s important to you—for example, if you don’t have a car, you may find it more convenient to live within walking distance of a grocery store.
- Would you live with roommates? It can be a great way to save money and make friends, but it can also be a challenge to share space with other people. It will be up to you to decide if a shared housing situation is right for you.
Average Cost of Renting in Metro Vancouver
Housing in Metro Vancouver is generally expensive, but rates will vary depending on where your rental is located, how big the rental is, and what amenities may be nearby. For example, it will typically cost more to rent in Vancouver than in Surrey.
Here are some rental averages from 2017 to give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind, these are averages only.
Housing Type | Rental Average (Monthly) |
Apartment (bachelor/studio) | $1,380 |
Apartment (one bedroom) | $1,700 |
Apartment (two bedroom) | $2,498 |
Rental averages from CMHC Urban Rental Market Survey Data, October 2017
Notethat the costs listed above are general guidelines for rent only. Additional costs for things like utilities (heat, water, electricity) are not included here, but may be included in your rental. Rental listings will generally specify whether the rental price includes utilities or not.
Watch Out for Scams
Unfortunately, not all rental listings are real—some are scams posing as rental listings in order to trick you into sending money or identity documents. It’s important to stay alert to warning signs while you secure housing so that you do not fall prey to a scam.
Common warning signs:
- The rental price is extremely cheap. Scammers use low prices to attract people—if the price looks “too good to be true,” it could be a scam.
- The landlord is asking for a large deposit before meeting you or showing you the rental. In most cases, if you haven’t been able to visit the rental or have someone you trust visit the rental on your behalf, you should be very cautious when proceeding with any payments. We recommend that you arrive in Metro Vancouver before providing payment.
- The landlord is asking for too much personal information. If the landlord is asking for sensitive information (such as your bank account details, social insurance number, or credit card information), they may be trying to scam you.
For more information, check out the following links:
- Tips on avoiding a rental scam
- Online Rental Scams: How to avoid being conned out of your cash
- How to avoid a rental scam
Know Your Rights
Before entering into a rental agreement, it’s important to know the rights you have as a renter (i.e tenant) in British Columbia. The following resources can help you understand what to expect when renting in Metro Vancouver, and what to do if something is wrong.
FAQs
How much salary is enough to live in Vancouver? ›
Average Cost of Living per Month in Vancouver
The average cost of living in Vancouver is $4,056/month for a single person who rents. This average is based on many factors including the cost of housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.
The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $80,000 a year in Vancouver makes 28.5% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $60,709.
Why is Vancouver so quiet? ›Living in Vancouver: Nightlife
Nightlife in Vancouver is typically pretty quiet as the city has very strict licensing and health & safety laws.
The average salary in Vancouver is about C$64,000. To be considered rich and live comfortably in this part of Canada, you'd need to earn well over this amount. A salary close to or above C$80,000 to C$100,000 per year would likely allow you to live quite well.
Is $70000 a good salary in Vancouver? ›The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $70,000 a year in Vancouver makes 12.4% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $53,529.
Is $52,000 a year a good salary Canada ? ›The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $52,000 a year in Toronto makes 16.2% less than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $40,873.
How much is 120k salary in Vancouver? ›The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $120,000 a year in Vancouver makes 92.8% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $87,623.
What salary is top 1% in Vancouver? ›What income puts you in the top 1% in Canada? According to Statistics Canada, if you want to be in the 1% of top earnings, you'll need to make around $500,000 a year.
How much is $100,000 salary after taxes in Vancouver? ›If you make $100,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $28,076. That means that your net pay will be $71,924 per year, or $5,994 per month. Your average tax rate is 28.1% and your marginal tax rate is 38.1%.
What American city is Vancouver most like? ›Vancouver = Seattle
Shipping harbours, majestic mountains and gloomy Pacific Northwest weather are some similarities these cities share. Comparisons between these two towns have been made for decades, and the fact that they are so close to one another makes them the ideal counterparts.
What city is like Vancouver in the US? ›
Portland = Vancouver
Finally, we picked Portland to compare to Vancouver this time around. Both of these West Coast cities tend to be full of outdoorsy folks who can't wait to get out into the mountains come the weekend.
Which US city is the most similar to Vancouver? Seattle and Portland.
What is a middle class income in Vancouver? ›Average Household Income Before Taxes | Median Household Income Before Taxes | |
---|---|---|
Vancouver | 96,423 | 72,585 |
Ambleside | 76,706 | 45,272 |
Anmore/Belcarra/Metro Vancouver North | 188,275 | 134,308 |
Capital Hill/Brentwood | 91,212 | 71,829 |
In general, when it comes to the cost of living in Seattle vs Vancouver, Vancouver is more expensive. Food, clothing, the gym, and other activities cost more in Vancouver than in Seattle.
What is a livable salary in BC? ›A provincial organization, Living Wage for Families BC, set the wage at $24.08 this year for Metro Vancouver. The organization defines the living wage as the hourly wage needed for two full-time working adults to be able to support basic expenses for a family of four.
What is the average house price in Vancouver? ›RELATED STORIES. According to Ratehub.ca, the average home price in Vancouver declined from $1,263,500 in March 2022 to $1,143,900 last month.
How much is $70,000 after tax in Vancouver? ›If you make $70,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $19,208. That means that your net pay will be $50,792 per year, or $4,233 per month.
How much taxes will I get back if I make $70,000 a year in Canada? ›If you make $70,000 a year living in the region of Ontario, Canada, you will be taxed $20,066. That means that your net pay will be $49,934 per year, or $4,161 per month. Your average tax rate is 28.7% and your marginal tax rate is 32.7%.
Is 100k CAD a good salary? ›The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $100,000 a year in Toronto makes 61.2% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $73,440.
What is the top 2% of salary in Canada? ›- The top 1% of income in Canada in 2022 = $258,034.
- The top 2% of income in Canada in 2022 = $190,119.
- The top 5% of income in Canada in 2022 = $132,493.
- The top 10% of income in Canada in 2022 = $102,869.
- The top 50% of income in Canada in 2022 = $37,695.
What is a rich salary in Canada? ›
What income level is considered rich? An annual income of around $500,000 would be considered a rich income level. This is based off of the top 1% of income according to tax filings in Canada.
How much is $90,000 salary in Vancouver? ›The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $90,000 a year in Vancouver makes 44.6% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $67,889.
What is upper class salary in Vancouver? ›As of May 17, 2023, the average annual pay for the High Class jobs category in Vancouver is $74,969 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $36.04 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,441/week or $6,247/month.
How much is $160,000 salary in Vancouver? ›If you make $160,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $52,121. That means that your net pay will be $107,879 per year, or $8,990 per month. Your average tax rate is 32.6% and your marginal tax rate is 45.2%.
What is upper middle class salary in Vancouver? ›An upper middle class income in Canada is typically anything between $106,827 and $236,000 annually.
What is middle class in Vancouver? ›Income group | Salary range |
---|---|
Lower-middle class | $32,048 – $53,2413 |
Middle class | $53,413 – $106,827 |
Upper-middle class | $106,827 – $236,000 |
Upper class | More than $236,000 |
Summary of Average salary comparison. Take Away: All said and done, Toronto definitely offers more jobs, higher salaries, massive growth, and more fun in comparison to Vancouver.
How much is 300k after tax in Vancouver? ›If you make $300,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $122,012. That means that your net pay will be $177,988 per year, or $14,832 per month. Your average tax rate is 40.7% and your marginal tax rate is 53.5%.
How much is 200k after taxes in BC? ›If you make $200,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $70,382. That means that your net pay will be $129,618 per year, or $10,801 per month.
How much is 150k salary after taxes in British Columbia? ›If you make $150,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $47,920. That means that your net pay will be $102,080 per year, or $8,507 per month. Your average tax rate is 32.0% and your marginal tax rate is 42.0%.
Which Canadian city is like Chicago? ›
About Toronto
As Chicago's closest sister city in proximity, both Chicago and Toronto sit upon the Great Lakes—Chicago on Lake Michigan and Toronto on Lake Ontario. The cities also share a similar topography and population, with Toronto leading with approximately 100,000 more residents.
Vancouver is known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located on a peninsula, Vancouver is surrounded by majestic mountains and sparkling water, along with glorious rainforests, providing an incredible contrast to the modern skyscrapers of the city itself.
Why is Vancouver so attractive? ›Among the many things that make Vancouver so unique is its picturesque setting. The city boasts an unparalleled natural beauty. The Vancouver area, which is a total of 115 km², comprises of the North Shore Mountains, an active volcano- Mount Garibaldi, temperate rain forest with dense trees and a lot more.
Does Vancouver feel American? ›VANCOUVER—It turns out there's something to the saying “West Coast best coast.” A majority of British Columbians feel more attuned to their southern American neighbours than to their Canadian counterparts, according to a new online survey by Angus Reid Institute.
What is Vancouver known for in the world? ›With its scenic views, mild climate, and friendly people, Vancouver is known around the world as both a popular tourist attraction and one of the best places to live.
Where does Vancouver rank in the world in city? ›Earlier this year, the U.K.-based Economist Intelligence Unit listed Vancouver as the fifth most livable city in the world. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Livability Index 2022, Vancouver in Canada scored highly in stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
Which city in Canada is most like Europe? ›Quebec City is the most European-looking place in Canada — and perhaps all of North America.
What Canadian city is most like Denver? ›Population: Calgary's skyline bears an uncanny resemblance to Denver's. While it feels like there are fewer crowds and lighter traffic in Calgary, its population is nearly double that of Denver's.
What is the number 1 city in Canada? ›The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households that earn between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income, which was $65,000 in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the average salary in downtown Vancouver? ›
The average downtown vancouver salary in Canada is $40,466 per year or $20.75 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $32,622 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $91,888 per year.
What is the median income in Burnaby? ›The highest median was just north of Burnaby Lake at $130,000. The median before-tax household income in Burnaby overall was $83,000 in 2020, up from $64,737 in 2015. About 29 per cent of households (28,865) earned less than $50,000 in 2020, while about 10 per cent of households (10,430) earned $200,000 or more.
Is Hawaii or Vancouver more expensive? ›Cost of living in Vancouver (Canada) is 13% cheaper than in Honolulu, Hawaii (United States)
Is Paris or Vancouver more expensive? ›Cost of Living Comparison Between Vancouver and Paris
You would need around 7,719.4C$ (5,167.3€) in Paris to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 7,900.0C$ in Vancouver (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare cost of living.
Yes, rent in Victoria and Victoria's cost of living is less than living in Vancouver but cheap? Not so much. If you've come from Vancouver or a major west coast city in North America, then Victoria may seem like a bargain. However, if you've come from elsewhere, you'll probably find it very expensive.
How much is $75000 salary in bc? ›If you make $75,000 a year living in the region of British Columbia, Canada, you will be taxed $20,618. That means that your net pay will be $54,382 per year, or $4,532 per month.
How much is 75k salary in bc? ›Region | Total Income | Net Pay |
---|---|---|
British Columbia | $75,000.00 | $57,044.20 |
Northwest Territories | $75,000.00 | $56,845.65 |
Yukon | $75,000.00 | $56,728.82 |
Ontario | $75,000.00 | $55,954.99 |
The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $50,000 a year in Vancouver makes 19.7% less than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $39,999.
Is 120k a good salary in Canada? ›The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $120,000 a year in Toronto makes 93.4% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $85,294.
What percentage of salary should rent be Vancouver? ›The most used metric to determine what monthly income you need to rent in Canada is the 30% rule of thumb. This monthly budget metric is when you add the costs of rent, utilities, and other living expenses, for a sum that should be no more than 30% of your monthly pre-tax income.
What is middle class salary in Vancouver? ›
A middle class income in Canada is anything that falls between between $45,000 and $120,000.
Is $150,000 a good salary in Canada? ›The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $150,000 a year in Toronto makes 141.7% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $102,271.
How many make 100k a year in Canada? ›What percentage of Canadians make over $100,000? Only around 11% of Canadians make more than $100,000 a year according to statistics Canada.
How much tax do you pay on 200k in Canada? ›Region | Total Income | Total Tax |
---|---|---|
Alberta | $200,000.00 | $64,837.34 |
Northwest Territories | $200,000.00 | $65,103.20 |
British Columbia | $200,000.00 | $66,373.35 |
Saskatchewan | $200,000.00 | $68,777.96 |
The average rental price in Vancouver is around $1,450 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, and $1,000 per month for one further out (excluding bills).
Are rent prices going down Vancouver? ›...
Average Rent Rate Per Province.
Provinces | 2022 Average Rents | 2023 Expected Rents |
---|---|---|
British Columbia | $2505, 31% up | will be down by 5% |
The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $90,000 a year in Vancouver makes 44.6% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $67,889.
What is a comfortable salary in bc? ›The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $100,000 a year in Vancouver makes 60.6% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $74,826.
Is 75k a good salary in Vancouver? ›The average salary in Vancouver is $62,250, which is 14.3% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $75,000 a year in Vancouver makes 20.5% more than the average working person in Vancouver and will take home about $57,119.
What is considered upper class in Vancouver? ›Income group | Salary range |
---|---|
Lower-middle class | $32,048 – $53,2413 |
Middle class | $53,413 – $106,827 |
Upper-middle class | $106,827 – $236,000 |
Upper class | More than $236,000 |