Salary guide · CA
Software Engineer salary in Vancouver: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Vancouver typically earns CA$82,000–CA$218,000/year, with a median around CA$129,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is CA$2,700/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of CA$129,000/year, spending on median Vancouver rent (CA$2,700/mo) would take up 25% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a manageable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Vancouver
CA$82,000
Entry level
lower quartile
CA$129,000
Typical
median estimate
CA$218,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Vancouver.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Vancouver
CA$1,700
Budget
cheapest 10%
CA$2,700
Median
most common
CA$4,200
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. CMHC Rental Market Report 2024 (average rent $1,967, +4.4% YoY; vacancy rose to 1.6%) + Statistics Canada income data · 2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Vancouver?
A Software Engineer in Vancouver typically earns between CA$82,000 and CA$218,000/year, with a median around CA$129,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Vancouver?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of CA$129,000/year, median Vancouver rent (CA$2,700/month) takes up 25% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Vancouver start around CA$1,700/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Vancouver?
On a median Software Engineer salary of CA$129,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is CA$3,225/month. Compared to Vancouver's median rent of CA$2,700/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Vancouver
Software Engineer salary in other cities