CanadaCOL Index: 118Cost Level: High

Cost of Living in Surrey, BC (2026)

Planning to live in Surrey, BC? Our personalized calculator shows YOUR actual cost of living - not generic averages. Surrey, BC has a high cost of living with a COL index of 118 (18% higher than the national average). Average 1BR rent: ~C$1,652/mo. Total monthly expenses: ~C$4,130 for a balanced lifestyle. Recommended salary: C$94,400/year.

Est. 1BR Rent
C$1,652
/month
Est. Monthly Total
C$4,130
balanced lifestyle
Recommended Salary
C$94,400
/year gross
vs National Avg
+18%
more expensive
Choose Your City
Quick Lifestyle Presets
Choose a lifestyle profile or customize below
Customize Your Lifestyle
Adjust each category to match how you actually live
Your Lifestyle Cost in Surrey, BC
Monthly Cost
C$3,139
Yearly Cost
C$37,668
Recommended Salary
C$94,400
gross/year
18% Above Average

Surrey costs 18% more than the Canadian national average

COL Index
118
100 = Average
Spending Breakdown
TotalC$3,139/month
Housing53%
Utilities & Bills18%
Food13%
Lifestyle11%
Transportation5%
Biggest Cost Drivers
Where most of your money goes
#1
Housing
C$1,652/mo • 53% of budget
C$19,824/yr
#2
Utilities & Bills
C$576/mo • 18% of budget
C$6,912/yr
Affordability & Risk Assessment
Score: 25/100
High financial risk — consider lifestyle changes
Financial Health ScoreHigh Risk
🏠
High Rent Burden
53%

Rent consumes 53% of your total expenses — very housing-heavy budget.

💡 Consider a roommate, smaller apartment, or more affordable neighborhood.

🔒
High Fixed Costs
71%

71% of your budget is fixed — leaves little room for emergencies.

💡 Reduce fixed expenses to create more financial flexibility.

💰
Healthy Savings Rate
43%

43% potential savings rate — great for building wealth!

Rent % of Budget
53%
Target: <35%
Fixed Costs
71%
Target: <50%
Savings Potential
43%
Target: >20%
6-Mo Emergency Fund
C$18,834
~8 months to save

Risk assessment based on financial planning best practices. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice.

Salary Negotiation Insights
Use these numbers when negotiating job offers or relocations
To maintain your lifestyle in Surrey, you need:
C$94,400/year
C$45/hour (40 hrs/week)
+18% vs national average

💬 Use These in Negotiations

Job Offer Response

“Based on the cost of living in Surrey, I would need a minimum of C$94,400 to maintain my current standard of living.”

Relocation Negotiation

“Moving to Surrey requires a salary adjustment of +18% compared to the national average to maintain equivalent purchasing power.”

📊 Salary Tiers for Surrey

Tight Budget
C$70,800
C$34/hr
Recommended
C$94,400
C$45/hr
Comfortable
C$118,000
C$57/hr
Luxury
C$151,040
C$73/hr

🔄 If You're Relocating

In a Cheaper City (COL 85)
C$68,000
C$26,400 less needed
Surrey (COL 118)
C$94,400
Your target
In an Expensive City (COL 130)
C$104,000
C$9,600 more needed

📋 For HR/Recruiters: These figures are based on actual cost-of-living data for Surrey. Use the Recommended Salary (C$94,400) as a benchmark for competitive compensation packages.

Category Comparison
HousingC$1,652 (53%)
Utilities & BillsC$576 (18%)
FoodC$401 (13%)
LifestyleC$357 (11%)
TransportationC$153 (5%)
Detailed Monthly Breakdown
Rent/Housing
C$1,652
Utilities
C$118
🥗Groceries
C$212
Dining Out
C$118
Coffee
C$71
Public Transport
C$94
🚗Rideshare
C$59
Gym
C$30
Streaming
C$50
Travel Fund
C$100
Shopping
C$177
🏥Healthcare
C$295
📱Phone
C$80
📶Internet
C$83
What If? Lifestyle Tuning
Click to apply changes. Click again to revert.
Total Potential Savings
C$1,439/mo
= C$17,268/year
About Living in Surrey
Tap to expand each section

Data Sources for Surrey
Our cost estimates are based on authoritative data sources

Methodology: Surrey's COL Index (118) is calculated using a weighted average approach similar to C2ER COLI, where 100 = national average. Data updated quarterly. See Sources for more.