Moving from San Francisco to Vancouver

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

Vancouver is roughly 7°C colder than San Francisco in January (about 11°C → 4°C), with about 30 cm more snow a year. A typical home costs roughly 27% less in Vancouver (about US$1,250,000 vs C$1,250,000, compared at a sample exchange rate), 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 skiing and nightlife and leave behind wine country. (Approximate figures.)