I've had lead/architect roles tossed my way that pay 180k+ CAD which is more than I'm making but I'm not quite ready to move yet. I lead a small, smart dev team and enjoy my role.
Vancouver's real estate bubble is spilling over and lots of people are being priced out here, too. Especially given the tech community is smaller so most people work for the provincial government, trades etc.
Most data scientists I know make 90k-150k if they work for a local company. The most successful I know make about 400k.
From what I have seen outside of the tech industry the wage scale is very similar to Portland Oregon, but without the benefit of the significantly cheaper housing in Portland. Skiing is really close by tho :)
Saving money on 70k/yr is really hard, and even at 135-140k/yr it makes most sense to find a roommate and share an apartment, which is a bit ridiculous. I find living downtown without a car to be simpler and probably a bit cheaper, even, than living farther from the train lines and having a car.
I don't know how people with "normal" salaries make it in Vancouver. It seems to me that the degree of living standard sacrifices most people must make is absurd, especially considering how much cheaper the rest of the country is.
In Canada, Real estate agent/brokerage profession has topped other lucrative career options like Software Enginner, Doctor, Lawyer.
In last year, they have dominated the country in overall worth. They will likely call the shots in coming years.
If you want to see a demo, check advertisements banner put on your local transit vehicles like TTC, Yum, YRT etc.
People are leaving their day jobs to work as REA.