City Comparison
Vancouver vs New York City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Vancouver scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Vancouver
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Vancouver is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Vancouver's average rent is
48% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Vancouver | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $3,382 | -48% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $190 | $370 | -49% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $250 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $4,652 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 33% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Vancouver delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Vancouver is estimated at
$58,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Vancouver | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,963 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $78,000 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Vancouver runs warmer on average — a 55.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Vancouver comes out ahead with 243 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Vancouver sees 8.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Vancouver | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 243 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vancouver has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Vancouver | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Walkability | 44.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Vancouver is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Vancouver | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,000 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Vancouver
Advantages
No Washington state personal income tax, providing significant financial savings for residents.
Thriving waterfront district featuring award-winning dining, parks, and community spaces.
Proximity to Portland, Oregon, offering easy access to major metropolitan amenities and arts.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including the Columbia River and nearby Cascade Mountains.
Strong job market growth in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
Drawbacks
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours across the I-5 and I-205 bridges.
Rising housing and rental costs driven by high regional demand and population growth.
Moderate public transit and walkability scores outside the immediate downtown core.
Higher-than-average sales tax rates compared to some neighboring states.
Overcast and rainy weather conditions during the extended autumn and winter seasons.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Vancouver
#362Washington, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
44.0/100
Sunny Days
243/yr
Avg Temp
55.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
76
Business
71
New York City
#584New York, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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