November 13, 2025 — A rising cost of living has caused the Squamish living wage to once again increase.
Squamish’s 2025 living wage is $28.00 /hour, $1.24 more—or 4.6% higher—than the 2024 rate of $26.76 per hour.
BC’s minimum wage is $17.85 per hour. There is now a $10.15 gap between BC’s minimum wage and the living wage for Squamish.
Squamish’s Living Wage is calculated by the Squamish Community Foundation, BC Policy Solutions, and Living Wage BC. The Squamish Community Foundation’s 2025 Living Wage report can be accessed [here].
The living wage is the hourly rate that a full-time worker must earn to cover essential expenses, avoid chronic financial stress and participate in their community. The rate supports a basic, decent standard of living, but without many of the comforts or extras that many take for granted.
Shelter remains the largest expense in the living wage household budget. Although rent prices have started to come down, rents are still unaffordable for many.
Food is the second largest expense in the living wage budget, increasing 3.6 per cent from last year and it’s been one of the fastest-growing costs for BC households in recent years. Food insecurity is not just a social issue, it is a public health emergency with lasting impacts on physical and mental well-being.
Squamish’s living wage is slightly higher than Metro Vancouver’s and this difference seems to be driven largely by higher costs for childcare in our community. Our living wage is also higher than our neighbours on the Sunshine Coast but lower than the Whistler living wage of $29.60/hour.
To better reflect the experiences of different household types, the 2025 Squamish living wage calculation is based on the weighted average of the rates for three household types: a two-parent family with two children, a single parent with one child and a single adult living alone.
The report calls for government investment in affordable housing, more affordable childcare, and investments in local food security initiatives. It also encourages strengthened financial supports for low-income individuals and families. Inequality in our province is disproportionately high and efforts are needed to close the gap and ensure everyone can live with dignity.
Read the 2025 Living Wage for Squamish Report head here:
To learn how Squamish compares to other communities in BC: see the BC Policy Solutions 2025 Living Wage webpage
Media Inquiries: info@squamishfoundation.com
