Complete Guide About Cost Of Living For International Students In Kelowna

Kelowna is a Canadian city in inland British Columbia, a 4-hour drive west of Vancouver, BC. Located on the shores of Lake Okanagan, this beautiful city is home to 142,000 year-round residents. In the summer, the population swells to over 200,000 as vacationers from Alberta, Ontario and the Lower Mainland flock to the sunny Okanagan Valley. 

Kelowna is a popular place with a growing population that currently stands at around 140,000. The city is known for its fantastic weather, delicious cuisine, beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. 

As an international student, you can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, including boating, swimming, and fishing in beautiful Lake Okanagan. You can also hike and ski thanks to the numerous mountains in and around the city. 

The city is incredibly student-friendly, with nearly 10,000 students living here. There's plenty to do in Kelowna, including fabulous restaurants, trendy shopping districts, lively festivals, and popular museums.

Average Cost of Living in Kelowna

The average cost of living in Kelowna is $3,245/month for a single person living for rent, though this average depends on many factors, such as the cost of student accommodation Kelowna, transportation, food, and entertainment.

With tourism playing a role of over $1 billion in Kelowna's economy, the service industry is the major employer. Boating, golfing, biking, and hiking in the warm months and skiing and snowboarding in the winter attract tourists year-round.

Kelowna's cost of living index is 65.97, well below the Canadian average. It's also lower than the cost of living in major Canadian metropolitan areas, including Calgary at 70.95, Toronto at 73.58 and Vancouver at 72.75.

Kelowna's lower cost of living is due to housing costs, which remain lower than other areas of the province, particularly Vancouver.

With tourism playing a role of over $1 billion in Kelowna's economy, the service industry is the major employer. Boating, golf, biking, and hiking in the warm months and skiing and snowboarding in the winter attract tourists year-round.

Kelowna's cost of living index is 65.97, well below the Canadian average. It's also lower than the cost of living in major Canadian metropolitan areas, including Calgary at 70.95, Toronto at 73.58 and Vancouver at 72.75.

Housing Cost

The lower cost of living in Kelowna is due to housing costs, which remain lower than in other areas of the province, particularly Vancouver.

Housing prices in surrounding communities differ from those in Kelowna, with most being lower. To the south, in Penticton, for example, the average price for a single-family home is $549,000. North of that, in Vernon, the average price is even lower, at $439,000.

Utilities

Utilities in Kelowna average $209 per month for heating, electricity and gas for two people living in an 85-square-foot flat. For one person living in a 45-square-foot studio flat, the cost of the same services averages about $78. Internet services average about $89 per month for 60 Mbps or more.

Food costs in Kelowna

Food costs in Kelowna are more expensive than the average across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, the average Canadian household spends about $214 per person per month on food, not counting out-of-town restaurants.