British Columbia offers one of Canada’s highest standards of living, but the gap between income and housing costs — especially in the Greater Vancouver area — creates significant affordability challenges. BC’s average income ranks third among provinces, yet purchasing power is stretched thin by housing costs.
Income data on this page is from the Canada Income Survey (CIS), released by Statistics Canada in May 2025, covering the 2023 reference year — the most recent income data available. The next CIS release, with 2024 data, is expected in spring 2026.
Average and median income in British Columbia
| Metric | Amount | vs. Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Average Individual Income | $55,800 | -$300 |
| Median Individual Income | $43,100 | -$1,100 |
| Average Household Income | $151,300 | +$4,700 |
| Average After-Tax HHI | $125,600 | +$5,000 |
| Median Household Income | $124,400 | +$3,400 |
| Median After-Tax HHI | $109,200 | +$4,400 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Canada Income Survey, May 2025 release (2023 reference year).
While BC’s household income is above the national average, individual income is slightly below. This suggests that BC relies more heavily on dual-income households to maintain above-average household earnings. Use our salary calculator to see your BC after-tax take-home pay.
Average household income by city in BC
BC’s income picture is dominated by Vancouver and Victoria, with significant differences in affordability.
| City | Average HHI | Median HHI | Avg Home Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $155,700 | $123,800 | $1,179,000 |
| Victoria | $141,500 | $117,300 | $866,000 |
Income vs. housing affordability in BC
BC has the worst housing affordability in Canada relative to income:
| City | Median HHI | Avg Home Price | Price-to-Income Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $123,800 | $1,179,000 | 9.5× |
| Victoria | $117,300 | $866,000 | 7.4× |
Vancouver’s 9.5× price-to-income ratio is the highest of any major Canadian city, far exceeding Calgary at 4.0× or even Toronto at 7.6×. This makes homeownership extremely challenging for typical BC households. See how much income you need with our income to afford a home calculator.
Key industries driving BC income
- Technology — Vancouver is Canada’s second largest tech hub after Toronto-Waterloo, with strong demand in film/VFX, gaming, software, and AI
- Natural resources — Forestry, mining, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are major income drivers in northern and interior BC
- Film and entertainment — “Hollywood North” brings significant production revenue, with Vancouver consistently ranked among the top film production cities globally
- Real estate and construction — High housing demand drives significant construction and real estate services employment
- Tourism and hospitality — BC’s natural beauty supports a large tourism sector, though wages tend to be lower
- Port and logistics — The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest, supporting shipping, warehousing, and logistics employment
BC’s tax environment
BC’s tax structure has several unique features:
- Provincial sales tax (PST) of 7% — Combined with the federal 5% GST for a total of 12% on most purchases
- Progressive income tax — BC’s rates range from 5.06% to 20.5% on income above $252,752
- BC Property Transfer Tax — An additional cost for homebuyers beyond the purchase price
- Speculation and vacancy tax — Targeted at empty homes, particularly in Vancouver and other high-demand areas
An earner making $100,000 in BC pays slightly more in provincial tax than in Alberta, but less than in Quebec. Calculate your exact tax burden with our income tax calculator.
How BC compares to other provinces
| Province | Avg Individual Income | Median Individual Income | Avg HHI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $64,200 | $49,400 | $161,900 |
| Ontario | $58,700 | $44,900 | $154,700 |
| British Columbia | $55,800 | $43,100 | $151,300 |
| Saskatchewan | $55,100 | $44,000 | $133,000 |
| Canada | $56,100 | $44,200 | $146,600 |
BC ranks third in household income, but when housing costs are factored in, the real purchasing power is significantly lower than in Alberta or even Saskatchewan. Use our income percentile calculator to see how your income ranks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in British Columbia? BC’’s average full-time employment income is approximately $65,000–$72,000 — near the national average. Metro Vancouver wages are higher ($75,000–$85,000 average); interior and rural BC wages are 15–25% lower. The tech sector, finance, and resource industries drive higher-income employment.
Is BC affordable on an average income? BC, particularly Metro Vancouver, has Canada’’s highest housing costs — average home prices in Vancouver proper exceed $1.3 million. Even with above-average wages, the income-to-housing-cost ratio is among the worst in North America. Many BC workers commute from Fraser Valley, Kelowna, or the Okanagan where housing is more affordable. Victoria and smaller BC cities offer better affordability.
What are the highest-paying jobs in BC? Software engineering, data science, finance (particularly in mining/resource finance), healthcare specialists, trades (particularly LNG and major infrastructure projects), and senior government positions offer the highest wages in BC.
Related tools and resources
- Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks in Canada
- Salary Calculator — Calculate your BC after-tax pay
- Income Tax Calculator — Estimate your BC income tax
- BC Mortgage Rates — Find the best mortgage rates in BC
- BC Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford