Moving to Kelowna, BC

What is it like to live in Kelowna?

Kelowna is a mid-sized city on Okanagan Lake with hot, dry summers, cold winters and much of daily life spent outdoors. People ski at Big White in winter and paddle the lake on summer evenings. The trade-offs are housing costs, smoke in some summers and a long wait for a family doctor. The pros and cons of living in Kelowna guide covers both sides.

Most moves involve the same tasks: finding housing, work, schools and a doctor. This site covers each one, and every page is checked against the organisations and businesses it covers; see How we check facts. For a move from the coast, start with moving from Vancouver to Kelowna.

What does it cost to live in Kelowna?

Living in Kelowna costs less than Vancouver, and the savings come almost entirely from housing. A 1-bedroom averaged $1,834 a month in September 2026, against $2,373 in Metro Vancouver. A 2-bedroom averaged about $2,270. Groceries and everyday spending cost about the same in both cities. The cost of living guide has line-by-line numbers, and the moving checklist covers the rest of the move.