Moving guide · Washington → British Columbia
Moving from Seattle to Vancouver
Ocean, mountains and a big-city food scene in one place. Here's how life in Vancouver compares with Seattle, and what changes when you cross the border.
Vancouver is roughly 2°C colder than Seattle in January (about 6°C → 4°C). A typical home costs roughly 7% more in Vancouver (about US$850,000 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 no state income tax in Washington to a medium provincial income tax in British Columbia. For lifestyle, you gain beach and nightlife and leave behind remote-work hub. (Approximate figures.)
Weather
- January average
- 6°C → 4°C (-2°)
- July average
- 19°C → 18°C (-1°)
- Sunny days a year
- 152 → 165
- Snow a year
- 15 → 30 cm
Money (approximate)
- Cost of living index
- 150 → 135
- Typical home
- US$850,000 → C$1,250,000
- Property tax rate
- 0.9% → 0.28%
- Provincial or state income tax
- None → Medium
- Health care in Vancouver
- Public plan, no premium
Getting around in Vancouver
- Airport
- 25 min
- Ski hill
- 30 min
- Beach or lake
- 10 min
- Main industries
- Tech, film, trade
Lifestyle and risks
Crossing the border
Moving from the USA to Canada
- Can you buy?
- Extra taxes
- Status
- Mortgages
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your situation with a licensed immigration lawyer and cross-border tax adviser.
Climate, cost and risk figures are approximate and for comparison only. Prices are in each place's local currency.