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Surrey spending per resident has come out lowest among Metro Vancouver’s 17 largest municipal governments, according to a new analysis. The report, released by the Fraser Institute, compares municipal budgets across the region between 2009 and 2024. It shows that while most cities have significantly increased how much they spend per person, Surrey has kept its costs comparatively low.

The findings arrive at a time when property taxes and civic budgets are drawing closer public attention. Residents across the region are watching municipal spending more carefully than ever. Because inflation and population growth affect every city differently, the study adjusts all figures to 2024 dollars for a fair comparison.

Metro Vancouver Spending Trends Since 2009

Municipal governments across the region are spending and collecting substantially more money per resident than they did fifteen years ago. This holds true even after accounting for population growth and inflation. Across the 17 municipalities studied, inflation-adjusted spending averaged $2,387 per resident in 2024, up from $2,085 in 2009.

That increase amounts to $303 per person, or 14.5 per cent beyond inflation. Since the figures are calculated on a per-person basis, the rise outpaced population growth and inflation combined. In other words, cities are not just spending more because they have more residents; they are spending more per individual.

Revenue growth followed a similar, though steeper, pattern. Municipal government revenues climbed nearly twice as quickly as spending did. The regional average reached $3,101 per resident in 2024, an increase of $670, or 27.5 per cent, from $2,431 in 2009. Consequently, most municipalities are collecting more than they are spending, widening the gap year over year.

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Highest and Lowest Spending Municipalities

The gap between municipalities proved considerable. The District of West Vancouver recorded the highest spending in 2024, at $3,879 per resident. That figure was $802 more than the City of Vancouver, which ranked second at $3,076 per person. Meanwhile, spending in West Vancouver was more than double that of Surrey.

By comparison, the City of Surrey’s spending sat at just $1,646 per person, the lowest figure among all 17 jurisdictions. This places Surrey well below the regional average despite being one of the fastest-growing cities in British Columbia. As a result, Surrey’s approach stands out sharply against its neighbours.

The City of New Westminster placed third overall, spending $2,940 per resident. It was followed by the District of North Vancouver at $2,533 and the City of Delta at $2,525. These mid-range municipalities still spent considerably more than Surrey, though less than the top-tier cities.

At the lower end of the scale, a handful of cities came close to Surrey’s modest spending levels. The City of Langley spent $1,842 per resident, while the City of Maple Ridge spent $1,846. The City of Port Coquitlam followed closely behind at $1,959 per person. Even so, none matched Surrey’s position as the most cost-restrained municipality in the region.

Fastest-Growing Municipal Budgets

Interestingly, the municipalities with the highest overall spending were not necessarily those where spending grew the fastest. The City of Pitt Meadows recorded the largest increase between 2009 and 2024. Its inflation-adjusted spending per resident rose by 30.6 per cent, climbing from $1,789 to $2,337.

The City of Port Moody followed with a 24.3 per cent increase over the same period. Meanwhile, spending in the District of West Vancouver rose by 19.9 per cent, despite already holding the highest total. Therefore, high spending and fast growth do not always move together.

The City of Vancouver’s spending climbed from $2,582 to $3,076 per resident. This represents a 19.1 per cent increase, marking the fourth-largest growth rate in the region. Meanwhile, some cities managed to keep budget growth minimal throughout the same fifteen-year period.

The smallest increase was recorded in the City of Langley, where spending rose by only 3.8 per cent. Similarly, the City of North Vancouver experienced a modest 5.1 per cent increase. The City of Maple Ridge recorded growth of 7.8 per cent, placing it among the more restrained municipalities alongside Surrey.

What This Means for Residents

Overall, the data highlights how differently Metro Vancouver’s municipalities manage their finances. While most cities have expanded their budgets well beyond inflation and population growth, Surrey spending per resident remains the exception. This distinction may become a talking point as civic elections and budget discussions continue across the region.

For taxpayers, these figures offer a useful benchmark when comparing municipal efficiency. Understanding how one city’s spending compares to another can help residents evaluate local government decisions. As municipal budgets continue to grow across Metro Vancouver, Surrey’s comparatively low spending per resident may attract further scrutiny and discussion in the months ahead.