The Living Wage for 2018 of $20.50/hour is a $0.49 increase from the 2017 Living Wage for Greater Victoria. [...] The cost of living has been soaring in recent years, with shelter and child care costs being the two largest household expenses for families in our region. [...] The Living Wage reflects the real costs of living through the hourly wage required to enjoy an adequate quality of life in our region. [...] It is the hourly rate of pay that allows a family with two full-time wage earners each earning the living wage, and two children, to enjoy an adequate quality of life. [...] This increase in living expenses is largely due to the increase in shelter costs and food costs, as well as the continued high costs of child care.