Cost of Living in Surrey (2026)

The cost of living in Surrey is generally 15-25% lower than Vancouver while offering similar quality of life. Surrey is described as a good place to raise a family with affordable housing, great schools, and community safety. Monthly costs for a single person who rents average $3,820 in Surrey. Income requirements sit at approximately $55,000-$60,000 per year for a single person and approximately $95,000 annually for families.

Housing Costs

1bd 1ba 1,000sqf

$18,990,000

13317 King George Boulevard, Surrey

1bd 1ba 800sqf

$13,980,000

2782 176 Street, Surrey

1bd 1ba 3,169sqf

$13,980,000

2712- 2722 176 Street, Surrey

6bd 8ba 10,279sqf

$12,160,000

2909 176 Street, Surrey

6bd 2ba 2,340sqf

$11,980,000

2355 176 Street, Surrey

5bd 3ba 4,274sqf

$11,900,000

18998 20 Avenue, Surrey

Housing represents the largest expense for Surrey residents. Rental prices in Surrey are approximately $1,750 CAD for a 1-bedroom, $2,200 CAD for a 2-bedroom, and $3,000 CAD for a 3-bedroom apartment. The median rent across all bedroom counts and property types sits at $1,900 per month, which has decreased 10% year-over-year and 3% month-over-month. Rent in city centre for a 1-bedroom averages $2,048.17 while outside the centre it drops to $1,684.00. A 3-bedroom in city centre averages $3,771.11 while outside centre it runs $3,140.00. The average monthly cost of owned housing in Surrey is $2,817. For buyers, the average home price is approximately $980,000 with condos averaging $485,853 and detached homes averaging $1,473,513. Apartment purchase prices per square meter run $13,562.51 in city centre and $12,037.04 outside centre. The average monthly net salary in Surrey is $4,292.33.

Groceries and Food

Average person spends $532 on groceries per month in Surrey, with ranges from $400 for singles to $1,000 for a family of four each month. Dining out adds $150-$300 monthly. Specific grocery prices: Milk 1L costs $3.85, bread $3.14, rice 1kg $5.41, eggs (dozen) $4.88, cheese 1kg $13.98, chicken fillets 1kg $15.08, beef 1kg $30.83, apples 1kg $4.57, bananas 1kg $1.84, tomatoes 1kg $4.06, potatoes 1kg $3.65. Restaurant costs: an inexpensive meal runs $25.00, a mid-range two-person meal $90.00, and a McDonald's combo $15.00. Domestic draft beer costs $8.00, a cappuccino $5.36, and a bottle of water $2.13.

Transportation

Average monthly cost on public transit in Surrey is $353, while the average monthly cost for a driver is $655. A one-way transit ticket costs $3.50 and a monthly transit pass is $159.50. Taxi rides start at $3.75 with a per-km rate of $2.18. Gasoline costs $1.71 per litre. Surrey's transit network includes SkyTrain stations on the Expo Line at Surrey Central, Gateway, and King George, providing direct transit access to Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension will add eight new stations with service anticipated in late 2028 to 2029, significantly expanding transit coverage to Fleetwood, Clayton, and Langley. Commuting times to Vancouver range from 30 to 60 minutes by car or SkyTrain depending on the neighbourhood.

Utilities and Services

Utilities for an 85m2 apartment average $251.02 per month, though broader estimates place the average monthly cost of utilities at $205. A mobile phone plan runs $53.76 and internet costs $91.88 monthly. The current 20-year mortgage rate averages 4.87%.

Childcare and Education

Preschool and kindergarten costs run $1,225.00 per month in Surrey. International primary school tuition averages $17,000 per year. Gym membership costs $49.40 monthly and a cinema ticket runs $16.50.

Surrey vs. Vancouver Comparison

Surrey offers substantial savings compared to Vancouver across nearly every category. The cost of living gap of 15-25% is most pronounced in housing, where Surrey's benchmark home prices range from $564,000 in Central City to $1,247,300 in South Surrey, compared to significantly higher prices across the water. Surrey offers diverse communities, excellent schools, over 800 parks and green spaces, and a growing transit network. The food scene reflects the multicultural population with diverse dining options spanning the city's six town centres. The Greater Vancouver vacancy rate more than doubled from 1.6% to 3.7%, the highest in more than 30 years, creating improved rental affordability. Rental stock grew significantly in Surrey, and median rents have decreased 10% year-over-year, providing additional relief for renters. Surrey's population of 726,369 makes it one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, projected to reach 771,000 by 2031 and potentially 1.005 million by 2051. The BC economy is expected to improve with growth forecast at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.8% in 2027. Professional services and technology sectors are the fastest-growing employment areas in the province. Average BC home price stands at $954,065, down approximately 4% year-over-year, making it a favourable time for buyers considering a move to Surrey.

Explore more: Vancouver Cost of Living | Calgary Living Costs | Edmonton Cost Guide