Furnished vs Unfurnished Apartments in Vancouver

One of the first decisions you'll face as a newcomer renting in Vancouver: furnished or unfurnished? Furnished places cost more per month but save you the upfront furnishing cost. Let's break down the real numbers.

Price Difference

In Metro Vancouver, furnished apartments typically cost $200-500/month more than equivalent unfurnished units:

• 1BR unfurnished: $1,700/month average
• 1BR furnished: $2,000-2,200/month average
• Premium difference: $300-500/month

Over a 12-month lease, that's $3,600-6,000 extra for furniture you don't own.

Cost to Furnish an Unfurnished Apartment

Here's a realistic budget for furnishing a 1BR from scratch:

Budget Setup (~$1,500-2,000)

• Mattress + bed frame (IKEA MALM): $400-500
• Sofa (IKEA or Facebook Marketplace): $200-400
• Dining table + 2 chairs: $100-200
• Desk + chair: $100-200
• Dresser: $80-150
• Kitchen essentials (pots, pans, utensils, plates): $100-200
• Bedding + towels: $80-120
• Curtains + basics: $50-100

Mid-Range Setup (~$3,000-4,000)

Same as above but with better quality — a real mattress (Endy or Casper, $700), a non-IKEA sofa ($600-800), and nicer kitchen gear. Still very livable.

Where to Buy Cheap Furniture in Vancouver

New (Budget)

• IKEA Richmond — 3320 Jacombs Rd. The newcomer's furniture store. Affordable, functional, and you can take the Canada Line to Bridgeport + free IKEA shuttle bus.
• Walmart — Good for basics like shelves, small tables, and kitchen items
• Amazon.ca — Mattresses and bed frames are surprisingly cheap and delivered to your door

Used (Even Cheaper)

• Facebook Marketplace — Best selection of used furniture. Filter by your area. Negotiate — sellers expect it.
• Craigslist Free section — People give away furniture when they move. Check daily — good stuff goes fast.
• "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups — Neighborhood-based groups where people give items away for free. Join your local one.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore — 4410 Still Creek Dr, Burnaby. Used furniture, appliances, and home goods at very low prices. Proceeds support Habitat.

Include furnishing costs in your move-in budget. Our settlement cost calculator covers all first-month expenses.

When to Choose Furnished

• You're staying less than 6 months (the math works out — furnishing costs aren't worth it for short stays)
• You want to move in immediately without the hassle of buying furniture
• You're waiting for your PR/work permit and your situation is uncertain

When to Choose Unfurnished

• You're staying 12+ months (cheaper overall and you keep the furniture)
• You have specific preferences for your living space
• You're willing to spend a weekend at IKEA and on Marketplace

The Math

For a 12-month stay, furnished costs ~$3,600-6,000 more. Furnishing from scratch costs $1,500-2,000 (budget) and you can sell the furniture when you leave, recovering $500-1,000. Net cost of unfurnished: $500-1,500 total. Unfurnished wins for stays over 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do furnished apartments come with kitchen gear?

Usually yes — plates, pots, utensils, and basic cookware are typically included. But quality varies. Some furnished places have a fully stocked kitchen; others have the bare minimum. Ask for an inventory list before signing.

Can I negotiate on a furnished apartment?

Sometimes. If a furnished unit has been listed for a while, offer to pay $100-200 less. Or ask if you can sign a longer lease for a lower rate. Furnished units often sit longer on the market, giving you some leverage.

What about IKEA delivery?

IKEA delivers in Metro Vancouver for $69 (standard) or $99 (next-day). For a full apartment's worth of furniture, delivery is worth it unless you have a friend with a van. Assembly is extra ($89+ per item) or DIY with a screwdriver and YouTube.

References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

[3] Government of Canada, "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship." https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

[4] City of Vancouver, "Open Data Portal." https://opendata.vancouver.ca/

Planning your move? See our complete move-in costs checklist for a full breakdown of what you'll spend.