Budgeting might not be sexy, but it’s a necessary fiscal responsibility – especially if you’re trying to get by in Vancouver. From the mild climate and easy access to nature to our diverse and inclusive culture, it’s easy to see why people worldwide want to call Vancouver home. But Vancouverites know they pay a premium for the privilege.

So let’s budget out how much moolah you need to make it in the city. According to a website that uses crowdsourced information to compare the cost of living in cities, the average monthly cost for a single person in the city is – but that’s before rent is taken into account. We broke down the realistic monthly costs that a person renting alone in Vancouver will face.

Hold on to your wallets! Numbeo puts the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in downtown Vancouver at $2,819 per month, and for apartments outside of the core, a bit lower at $2,338. In rental agreements, utilities are sometimes included in the cost of rent, but sometimes they are not. The cost of essential utilities—think BC Hydro bills to cover your heating and electricity—averages $143 per month for a 900-square-foot apartment.

Internet costs have an average monthly price of $79.30. According to a , prices in the Canadian wireless market are the highest in the world.

Numbeo puts the mobile phone cost at $56 a month, but we know so many people pay way more than that. You can save money on your transportation costs by walking or taking your bike. However, t.