BC
Even within a city, it varies dramatically! See Zikoris' costs vs mine.
I have had the lowest rate for renter's insurance Cooperators would give me on my last three suites, and it's been $500/yr. This is in 450 sq foot multi-dwelling apartment units or basement suites, lowest coverage, no claim ever. I recently switched to Square1 and saved some, but it's still over $400/yr.
We can't get Novus internet, as it only serves specific multi-unit buildings. So, our cheapest at this point is $61 with Shaw. I'm looking at TekSavvy, watching our use over the months to see if we'd benefit by switching to that.
Many shares, houses, and complexes do not accept children, regardless of how well behaved they are, etc, so some cheaper housing is ruled out for us on that count. We're now on the waitlists for co-ops and other housing cheaper than $1100. Soon we'll be "high priority", which should help reduce the wait period. In the meantime, we have either paid the price for quiet, or shared with terrible noise for cheaper, taken temporary opportunities for reduced rent, etc.
Phone - No landline, eliminated data and daytime minutes on my phone and was able to get it down to $30/mo.
Our saving grace is that our new low-income makes us eligible now for municipal recreation passes, low-income food store, etc. Because I'm self-employed, we had to go without sufficient income *and* these for a full year. But as of our latest tax return, it's all coming together. For anyone "caught in the middle", looking into these kinds of supports is advisable. Gives you some breathing room so you have a chance to get back on your feet.
An awesome Canada thing is the RDSP for children and adults with specific disability effects. 300% matching contribution from government, etc.
