Cost of Living in Chilliwack BC

Hi everyone, I’m Deanna Gray with exp Realty. Welcome to my blog! Today, we’re exploring the cost of living in Chilliwack and giving you an overview of what you might typically expect to pay each month. For those of you joining me for the first time—and I suspect there are quite a few since this blog is just getting started—we delve into all things Chilliwack here. You’ll find insights into the real estate market, advice on the best neighborhoods and schools, tips for moving, and much more. Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you won’t miss any updates. Now, let’s dive into what brought you here.

As I mentioned earlier, today we're diving into the cost of living in Chilliwack, including an estimate of what you might expect to pay each month. Let's start with the essentials—utilities, internet, groceries, and the like—before we get to the big question: how much does a house really cost?

Starting with utilities, this category includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage services. Your monthly costs could range from approximately $60 to $200. This is a broad range, reflecting factors like location, lifestyle, and personal habits. For instance, if you're someone who tends to feel chilly, you might spend more on heating during the winter. On the other hand, your cooling costs in the summer could be lower. So, there's a bit of balance there!

If you're like me and live in a rural area, you might not use city water. Instead, you could be drawing from well water or spring water, which can alter your utility costs. When it comes to rent, you can expect to pay around $1,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and prices for a three-bedroom can vary widely from $1500 to $2,500, largely depending on whether you're in the city center or on the outskirts.

Internet costs generally range from $60 to $100 per month, influenced by your service provider, data usage, and whether you have additional services like cable or a landline. These factors will affect your overall expenses.

Regarding groceries, if you’re stocking up for the month, there are various shopping options available. Whether you're buying essentials or indulging in some extras, the choices are plentiful and cater to different budgets and preferences.

Walmart

In Chilliwack, you’ll find a variety of grocery stores including Save On, Walmart, Thrifty's, and Superstore, catering to all your shopping needs. Additionally, we have a zero-waste grocery store which operates a bit differently—think no plastic and more sustainable options. Their prices are slightly higher, but still reasonable compared to the average cost of groceries.

Currently, a liter of milk costs about $1.72, a kilogram of apples approximately $4.50, and ground beef ranges from $9 to $12 per pound, depending on the fat content. I prefer extra lean meat because it's less hassle to manage the grease, even though it’s a bit pricier.

For poultry and fish, prices vary based on the quantity and type of cut you choose. Dining out is also an option, with a typical meal at a fast-food restaurant like Burger King, McDonald's, or Five Guys costing about $10 to $12. If you’re dining at a more upscale restaurant, a meal for two could set you back anywhere from $40 to $90, depending on what you order.

As for gas prices, they are relatively high but align with the rest of British Columbia. They have come down from being over $2 a few months ago but still remain a considerable expense.

Considering Gas Costs and Travel Times

Gas prices in Chilliwack have recently stabilized between $1.73 and $1.86 per liter after some fluctuation. This is a crucial factor to consider, especially given the rural expanses of the area. Personally, I live quite rurally, so it takes me about an hour just to get into town, let alone other destinations. As a real estate agent constantly on the move across Chilliwack, my fuel costs are significantly high each month.

If you're fortunate enough to live just a block away from your workplace, allowing you to walk, your expenses on gas will be minimal. However, for those considering moving to Chilliwack, it's important to think about how gas prices could impact your budget, especially if you choose a home off the beaten path. This consideration could be a deciding factor in selecting your new neighborhood.

In Chilliwack, particularly in areas like Sardis, we have a variety of transportation options available. These include bus routes, taxis, and HandyDart services, which cater to those with mobility challenges. However, it’s important to note that we don’t have subway or sky train services like larger cities. Ridesharing options such as Uber are also available.

For those living in rural parts of Chilliwack, it's important to be aware that public bus routes generally do not extend far into these areas, though school bus services are more accommodating. This limited public transportation coverage is something to consider if you're planning on living outside of more central areas.

heatwarning

I've seen school buses out where I live, but not the typical buses and the bus stops. They don't make it out so far, so that is another consideration. You will have to have your own vehicular transportation. That said, summer and winter I thought would be a good idea to mention in this video because while we are quite mild as far as summer and winter goes, we do have our extremes. Last year, for example, we had what was called a heat dome, and it lasted a good 3 to 4 weeks, and roasted us for for a good month. We had, we were seeing temperatures over 40 degrees, and for us that was horribly uncomfortable. Outrageous. We, we're not Phoenix, so we don't really experience temperatures like that, as a general rule. And, sadly a lot of, people and pets died that summer because air conditioners are not all that commonplace in Chilliwack. That said, because of that, I would recommend that anybody moving to Chilliwack, if you have the capacity to, definitely consider purchasing an air conditioner if it's not included in either your home or your apartment. They don't have to be super expensive. You don't have to go, you know, across the board. I have just a very simple one in my bedroom. It's just this tiny little portable thing, but it works really well. It was only like $400, so I'm happy with it. I don't have to do a whole lot to maintain it, and my poor cat doesn't have to roast when she's hanging out in my bedroom. So I'm I'm cool with that. We do have fire bans in the summer.

Winter Tire Costs and Transportation Challenges

Winter conditions also significantly impact transportation costs, particularly when it comes to preparing your vehicle for colder weather. While Chilliwack itself doesn’t typically experience severe winters, the situation is quite different in more elevated or rural areas. For instance, living above Chilliwack, as I do, means encountering much more snow than the city areas usually receive. Last year, we were especially "lucky" and received an abundance of snow.

This increased snowfall necessitates proper winter tires, which is an important consideration for anyone living or planning to move to these parts of Chilliwack. Ensuring your vehicle is equipped to handle these conditions is crucial not only for safety but also for ease of travel during the winter months. Investing in quality winter tires can significantly enhance your driving experience and safety during these snowy periods.

Snow_Sardis_Park

In Chilliwack, the variation in snowfall can be striking—while the city may have none, rural areas like where I live can look like a winter wonderland. This disparity means that snowplows don’t always reach the more remote areas, making winter tires essential for safe and effective travel during the snowy months.

Legally, we're required to equip our vehicles with winter tires starting in October. While you might manage without them for a while if you're staying in less snowy parts of the region, I wouldn’t recommend taking that risk. Even though severe winters are not common here, it's always best to be prepared for the worst. The cost of winter tires will vary depending on your vehicle's size; smaller cars will generally have more affordable options, whereas larger vehicles, like Humvees or monster trucks, will face higher costs. However, this is a universal truth, no matter where you are.

Property Taxes and Home Prices

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Moving on to property taxes, for a property valued at around $800,000, the taxes this year were $2,610. Naturally, this amount will vary with the value of your property. For instance, if your home is worth more than $1,000,000, your taxes will be higher, and conversely, they will be lower if your home's value is below $800,000.

Now, let's discuss what many of you are here for—the real estate market. The current average home price in Chilliwack is $636,000, with a monthly decrease in sale prices of about 3.8% and a quarterly change of -20.6%. We expect these prices to continue to decline, even as interest rates unfortunately rise. However, the investment is well worth considering the environment we live in. Many properties in Chilliwack offer stunning views, surrounded by mountains on all sides, justifying the higher price points. Yet, there is also a wide range of properties available below and above the $636,000 mark, depending on what you're looking for and your financial arrangements, like the type of mortgage you choose.

Regarding interest rates, keep an eye on the Bank of Canada’s next scheduled announcement on September 7th this year, with a full update on the economic and inflation outlook to follow on October 26th.

So, that wraps up our look at the approximate cost of living in Chilliwack. It's quite manageable, isn't it? If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out at deanna.gray@exprealty.com. I'm here to help, and I promise I'm friendly! Have a wonderful day. Goodbye!

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