Cost of living calculator BC
Dec 22nd 2017, 1:18 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 79
Cost of living calculator BC
In preparation for our move, I've been trying to work out a rough cost of living and i stumbled upon a cost of living calculator on the official WelcomeBC website: Welcome BC - Cost of Living Calculator I was wondering if anyone living in BC could see how accurate the assessment tool is - i.e. does it give a decent enough ballpark figure or is it wildly inaccurate and best ignored? 
Dec 22nd 2017, 2:16 pm
#2
Happy
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
This is pretty cool, I went to have a look just to see. I personally think its not bad at all.
People from that region will be better situated to give a real perspective on this than me though, as we are in NS.
Its interesting though that it suggests my salary to be less than what I earn here for Kelowna though
People from that region will be better situated to give a real perspective on this than me though, as we are in NS.
Its interesting though that it suggests my salary to be less than what I earn here for Kelowna though
Dec 22nd 2017, 2:30 pm
#3
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,814
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
I've had a play but it's a bit weird. If I change one person to two the rental on a 2 bed condo changes. Why?
Sometimes the living and personal is an exact match for the rent.
Does the living and personal include food? If it does, I suspect many people will say it under estimates the costs.
Come on BCers, you should be up by now.
Sometimes the living and personal is an exact match for the rent.
Does the living and personal include food? If it does, I suspect many people will say it under estimates the costs.
Come on BCers, you should be up by now.
Dec 22nd 2017, 3:39 pm
#4
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
Tried to run it for our situation, it was way off and too few options.
Dec 22nd 2017, 3:41 pm
#5
Bex in the city
Joined: Jun 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 3,899
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
I just tried it. I said I didn’t have a car because it hardly gets used right now.
It says I have $40 left after all my expenses if I say 20% of my wages go into savings and $430 left if I don’t put any savings away.
After all my expenses - rent, transit, car insurance, gym membership. I’m usually left with $800 a month.
It’s not accurate
It says I have $40 left after all my expenses if I say 20% of my wages go into savings and $430 left if I don’t put any savings away.
After all my expenses - rent, transit, car insurance, gym membership. I’m usually left with $800 a month.
It’s not accurate
Dec 22nd 2017, 5:14 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
Doesn't seem to ask enough questions to be accurate, says we have -400/month but we break even each month for the most part, housing costs they are using are too low and not realistic for Vancouver.
They bring back savings of 150 per month where we put 0 into savings.
They bring back savings of 150 per month where we put 0 into savings.
Dec 22nd 2017, 5:38 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 79
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
Knowing governmental stuff, I'm sure the data is well out of date, which is probably one of the reasons why it seems to underestimate everything from rent to earnings.
That being said, it does at least illustrate whether it's going to be a battle or not to live on your wage in BC.
If anyone can allay my fears:Basically will150k be ok for 2 people living on the island (not Victoria)?
That being said, it does at least illustrate whether it's going to be a battle or not to live on your wage in BC. If anyone can allay my fears:Basically will150k be ok for 2 people living on the island (not Victoria)?
Last edited by Verdant; Dec 22nd 2017 at 5:49 pm.
Dec 22nd 2017, 10:35 pm
#8
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Cost of living calculator BC
You would in my opinion be fine on the Island on that income.
Knowing governmental stuff, I'm sure the data is well out of date, which is probably one of the reasons why it seems to underestimate everything from rent to earnings. That being said, it does at least illustrate whether it's going to be a battle or not to live on your wage in BC.
If anyone can allay my fears:Basically will150k be ok for 2 people living on the island (not Victoria)?
That being said, it does at least illustrate whether it's going to be a battle or not to live on your wage in BC. If anyone can allay my fears:Basically will150k be ok for 2 people living on the island (not Victoria)?
