Moving from Los Angeles to Vancouver

Ocean, mountains and a big-city food scene in one place. Here's how life in Vancouver compares with Los Angeles, and what changes when you cross the border.

Vancouver is roughly 10°C colder than Los Angeles in January (about 14°C → 4°C), with about 30 cm more snow a year and around 119 fewer sunny days. A typical home costs about the same (US$950,000 vs C$1,250,000), and everyday costs in Vancouver are above the Canadian average. Income tax goes from a high state income tax in California to a medium provincial income tax in British Columbia. For lifestyle, you gain hiking and skiing and leave behind warm winters and surf. (Approximate figures.)