Vancouver's living wage jumps to $10 higher than minimum wage

A new report shows that Metro Vancouver’s living wage has taken a jump in 2025, now $10 higher than the province’s minimum wage.

The Living Wage BC (LWBC) report released this week reveals that the region’s current living wage is $27.85 per hour.

This is an increase of three per cent to Vancouver’s living wage since last year, or 80 cents an hour. According to LWBC, there are several factors contributing to the rise.

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“A rising cost of living, especially for housing, has caused Metro Vancouver’s living wage to accelerate to the highest amount since the calculation began, this year’s report shows,” said LWBC.

“Metro Vancouver’s living wage is now $10 more per hour than the province’s minimum wage, meaning more must be urgently done to support the hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers in the region and across B.C.”

Increasing food and child care costs were also highlighted by LBC in its annual report co-authored by BC Policy Solutions.

The most recent increase to the province’s minimum wage was on June 1, 2025, to $17.85.

LWBC defines a living wage as the amount that a full-time worker must earn to meet basic needs, avoid ongoing financial stress, and take part in their community.

“The rate supports a basic, decent standard of living, but without many of the comforts or extras that many take for granted,” explained the organization that works with B.C. communities to calculate their local living wage.

It also called upon the Government of B.C. to raise the minimum wage to $20 an hour.

One of the key trends in this year’s report is the ongoing climb in wages required to live in some of BC’s most expensive areas.

In Victoria, the living wage jumped to $27.40 per hour, marking a 2.3 per cent increase from 2024.

Tourist-heavy spots like Whistler ($29.60) and Revelstoke ($27.42) also saw rises in the local living wage calculation.

Whistler’s living wage is the highest in the province, reflecting the area’s steep housing prices and the demands of its tourism-heavy economy.

The second-highest living wage in B.C. is found in Squamish, another Sea to Sky community. Residents need to make $28 an hour to meet essential needs.

LWBC points out that a living wage can be transformative for the lowest-paid workers.

“It allows people to meet essential needs, support their children’s healthy development, reduce financial stress and fully participate in their communities,” said LWBC. “It is a key tool for ensuring paid work leads to a decent standard of living for all, not just a daily struggle to get by.”

The full Living Wage Rates 2025 report can be read online.