Average and Median Income in Victoria, BC

Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city, known for government employment, tourism, and a high quality of life. This page sets Victoria’s household income against its housing costs and compares it with Vancouver and Toronto.

Household income data on this page is from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, Focus on Geography Series, which reports median after-tax household income by Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) for the 2020 reference year, the most recent year Statistics Canada has published this figure at the city level. For the province-wide figure, see our BC income guide.

Median household income in Victoria

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Focus on Geography Series, “Median after-tax income of households,” Victoria (CMA), 2015 to 2020 (2020 constant dollars).

Victoria’s median household income in 2020 was 14.4% higher than in 2015; the national median was 9.8% higher than in 2015. Victoria’s 2020 median of $75,500 compares with the national figure of $73,000. In 2015, Victoria’s median was $66,000 against $66,500 nationally. BC’s more recent (2024) province-wide median after-tax income was $75,800; see our BC income guide for that figure.

Income vs. housing affordability in Victoria

This ratio compares a 2020 household income figure to a home price from August 2026 and should be read as directional. The Victoria Real Estate Board publishes no all-types average or benchmark, so the price above is the sales-weighted average of its single-family, condo and townhouse averages (it leaves out other property types). Averages run higher than MLS HPI benchmarks, so this ratio is not strictly comparable with benchmark-based ones. With that caveat, Victoria’s ratio is higher than Toronto’s (~11.5×, City of Toronto average price) and higher than Ottawa’s (~8.2×, OREB average price), another government-dominant capital city. Use our income to afford a home calculator for a personalized estimate.

How Victoria compares to other cities

Board averages move with the mix of homes sold, while an MLS HPI benchmark tracks a typical home, so read ratios built on different measures as approximate. Use our mortgage affordability calculator to see what you can afford today.

Key industries driving Victoria income

• Provincial government — BC’s capital hosts the provincial legislature and hundreds of ministries and agencies
• Federal government — Naval base CFB Esquimalt and federal offices
• Technology — Victoria has a growing tech sector, particularly in cleantech, marinetech, and enterprise software
• Tourism — A major tourism destination with cruise ships, heritage attractions, and Butchart Gardens
• Education — University of Victoria and Royal Roads University
• Healthcare — Island Health authority and the Royal Jubilee Hospital
• Retirement community — Victoria’s mild climate makes it a popular retirement destination, with senior services as a growing employment sector

Rental affordability in Victoria

The average rent for a 1-bedroom purpose-built apartment in Victoria was $1,622/month as of the CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025), the second most expensive of BC’s metro areas after Vancouver. See our Victoria rental market page for the full breakdown, and our rent affordability calculator for a personalized estimate.

Income trends in Victoria

• 2015–2019: Steady growth driven by provincial government expansion and a growing tech sector.
• 2020–2021 — Government employment provided pandemic resilience. Victoria’s smaller tourism sector contributed to a moderate economic dip.
• 2022–2025 — Tech layoffs nationally had a modest impact on Victoria’s smaller tech scene. The BC government remains the economic anchor, with military spending (CFB Esquimalt upgrades) providing additional stimulus.

Victoria’s mild climate and high quality of life continue to attract migrants willing to accept a housing cost premium in exchange for lifestyle benefits.

Cost of living beyond housing

• BC PST of 7%: Plus 5% GST = 12% total
• BC Property Transfer Tax — A meaningful cost on higher-value homes
• Utilities: Victoria’s mild climate means much less heating than most Canadian cities: 2,931 heating degree-days a year, vs 3,873 in Toronto and 5,648 in Winnipeg (Environment Canada, 1981 to 2010 climate normals)
• Ferries — BC Ferries connections to Vancouver and the mainland are a notable cost for regular travellers

Estimate your Victoria take-home pay with our income tax calculator or salary calculator.

Related tools and resources

• Victoria Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
• Victoria Rental Market — Current average rents and vacancy rates
• BC Mortgage Rates — Find the best rates
• Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks
• Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford
• Income Tax Calculator — Estimate your BC income tax