2nd lowest in BC
Port Alberni’s ‘Living Wage’ $22.60/hr
Nov 13, 2025 | 10:44 AM
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According to a new report from Living Wages BC, a person in Port Alberni needs to make at least $22.60 an hour to meet their basic expenses.
That pays for rent, food and transportation once government taxes, credits, deductions and subsidies are taken into account, but does not include debt repayment or savings for future plans
Lead author Igilka Ivanova says Port Alberni is the second most affordable city in the province that they surveyed, mostly due to lower rental rates and childcare costs.
“Port Alberni came out the second lowest in the province after Grand Forks and it does seem to be one of the cheapest places to live even though it’s still a living wage quite a bit above what many people earn – $22.60,” she said. “We do see the childcare costs and rent costs are significantly lower than elsewhere.”
