Cost of living comparison

 United States
compared to
 Nelson BC, Canada
Nelson BC vs. United States Cost of Living Summary

Nelson BC is 9.0% cheaper than United States overall.

Restaurants
pay 17.2% less in Nelson BC
Groceries
pay 1.7% less in Nelson BC
Transportation
pay 0.5% more in Nelson BC
Housing
pay 19.1% less in Nelson BC
Childcare
pay 24.1% less in Nelson BC
Entertainment and Sports
pay 4.3% less in Nelson BC
Clothing
pay 2.7% more in Nelson BC

The cost of clothing and transportation in Nelson BC are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including childcare, housing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, and groceries are lower in Nelson BC.

Nelson BC vs. United States Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Nelson BC instead of United States, you would:

pay 17.2% less for restaurants

 
United States
Nelson BC
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $18.59
 
$13.65
CA$18.76
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$10.47
 
$8.98
CA$12.34
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.50
 
$2.16
CA$2.96

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pay 1.7% less for groceries

 
United States
Nelson BC
Bread
1 loaf
$3.49
 
$2.98
CA$4.10
Local cheese (8 oz) $6.33
 
$6.06
CA$8.33
Milk (1 gallon) $3.91
 
$7.25
CA$9.96

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pay 0.5% more for transportation

 
United States
Nelson BC
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.61
 
$4.61
CA$6.33
Monthly public transit pass $65.15
 
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New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $31,583.67
 
$24,412.64
CA$33,544.19

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pay 19.1% less for housing

 
United States
Nelson BC
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$67.50
 
$57.48
CA$78.98
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,655.99
 
$1,365.12
CA$1,875.74
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,423.40
 
$1,149.57
CA$1,579.57

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pay 24.1% less for childcare

 
United States
Nelson BC
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $1,351.84
 
$1,048.99
CA$1,441.36
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $22,265.44
 
$16,525.13
CA$22,706.35

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pay 4.3% less for entertainment and sports

 
United States
Nelson BC
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $5.78
 
$5.03
CA$6.91
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.04
 
$3.95
CA$5.43
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$9.68
 
$12.93
CA$17.77

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pay 2.7% more for clothing

 
United States
Nelson BC
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$50.38
 
$53.41
CA$73.38
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$40.66
 
$39.52
CA$54.30
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$85.52
 
$80.63
CA$110.79

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: June 2025
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