The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) is using a new tool to market the region for business, resident and visitor attraction.
The RDBN’s cost of living infographics demonstrate the advantages of living up north by comparing the time it takes to commute to work, the cost of living and average home prices between Vancouver, Kelowna and RDBN communities.
“By specifically comparing the region to Kelowna and Vancouver to show the much lower costs in the region and the potential for a higher quality of life, the infographics will spark interest to seek further information on the municipalities and the region,” explained Corrine Swenson, the RDBN’s manager of regional economic development.
While the average home price in the RDBN is $258,767, in Kelowna it’s $530,328, and in Vancouver it’s $1,414,191.
When it comes to the time it takes to commute to work, Vancouverites take an average of 25.6 minutes, Kelownians take 15.6 minutes and northerners take an average of 10.4 minutes. Swenson says less time commuting means more time with family or recreational opportunities.
The average price for a cup of coffee in the RDBN region is $2. Expect to pay $3 in Kelowna and $3.50 in Vancouver.
Swenson said that although the infographics are being used mainly for resident attraction, they also have the potential to be used for small business attraction. The infographics are already being shared on social media and Facebook ads purchased by the RDBN, and are expected to be distributed at industry trade shows.
Burns Lake has one of the lowest costs of living in the region, only behind Granisle.
The cost of living for two adults and two children in the Burns Lake and area is estimated to be $71,917. The average cup of coffee in Burns Lake costs $2, while the average home price is $165,120 and the commute time to work is 10.5 minutes.
Telkwa had the highest cost of living in the region ($84,704), followed by Houston ($81,466), Vanderhoof ($80,577), Fraser Lake ($78,294), Fort St. James ($77,563), Smithers ($74,727), Burns Lake ($71,917) and Granisle ($55,285).
The data was gathered using the median total income of households in 2015 and the province’s cost of living calculator.
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