Cost of Living in Calgary, Canada

Are you considering a move to Calgary, Canada, and wondering about the cost of living? Calgary is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Calgary and help you understand whether $3406 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $3383.04.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Calgary, Canada
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

18.47 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

73.87 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

10.34 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

5.54 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

6.65 $

Cappuccino (regular)

4.08 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

2.23 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

1.91 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

2.0 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.4 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

3.6 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

3.39 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

11.92 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

12.5 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

14.24 $

Apples (1 lb)

4.01 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.41 $

Oranges (1 lb)

3.8 $

Tomato (1 lb)

4.11 $

Potato (1 lb)

2.6 $

Onion (1 lb)

2.47 $

Lettuce (1 head)

2.62 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

1.65 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

13.3 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

2.63 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.14 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

13.3 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

2.66 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

82.74 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.32 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

2.59 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

40.63 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.07 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

22106.54 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

21745.45 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

270.28 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

71.44 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

60.91 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

31.47 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

13.3 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

926.65 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

21257.0 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

73.57 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

60.1 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

98.84 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

141.04 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

1400.92 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

1152.63 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

2256.09 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

1835.2 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

4933.82 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

3897.04 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

3383.04 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.83 %

Cost of Living in Calgary, Canada

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Calgary?

The monthly expenses for living in Calgary come to a total of approximately $3406. This includes an average monthly rent of around $1400 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $306 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $961 per month.

How affordable is living in Calgary?

Living in Calgary appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $3383.04. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Calgary, you would likely need an income exceeding $3383.04.

What is the average salary in Calgary?

In Calgary, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $3383.04, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Calgary?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Calgary is approximately $1400. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $1152.63 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Calgary?

The expense for groceries in Calgary can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $685 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Canada?

The cost of living in Canada can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Canada.

Calgary, Canada

How Safe Is Calgary, Canada for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Calgary, Canada

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Calgary is a safe city to tourists since most of the violent crime is performed on the citizens. Its rank and score of 82% show that tourists can feel safe while in Calgary.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Once you decide to drive to Calgary, the city offers good roads and unforgettable scenery. On the other hand, parking in Calgary is a real nightmare. If you want to avoid it, you can use Calgary Transit which is efficient and clean. Also, Calgary has the largest fleet of car2go smart cars which can take you everywhere. Bear in mind that driving during the winter months can be dangerous due to the ice on the roads. All in all, transport in Calgary is considered safe.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

When the pickpocket risk is in question, there are no records of it in Calgary. Tourists should remain cautious in case it happens.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

The only possible natural disaster is flooding in case of heavy rainfalls and snowstorms during winter.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

As in every big city, the risk of mugging and kidnapping exists, although Calgary is considered relatively safe. Travelers are advised to avoid certain areas during the night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk of terrorist attacks is low, but tourists should follow the guide’s advice and be vigilant.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The very interesting fact is that there are no scammers in Calgary. The risk of being scammed is at a minimal level.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Unlike those countries where it is dangerous for a solo woman traveler to come, Calgary is a very safe city when this kind of risk is in question. However, the world safety rules should be followed both by men and women in terms of watching their drink and being aware of the people and surroundings.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

The United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia are some of the countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada if their stay is less than 180 days. An Electronic Travel Authorization is necessary and it costs CAD 7$. Online information sites can help you find out if you need a visa for Canada based on your nationality.

currency_exchange

Currency

The Canadian dollar is the official currency, but it is often called the "loonie". Many banks work on Saturdays and ATMs are available 24/7. Because you need less than $100 for daily costs, Canada is not a too expensive country. There are many cheap attractions, shops, and restaurants, so bargaining is not typical when shopping.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Once you decide to visit Calgary, you should be prepared for unusual weather conditions. Your sunglasses must be packed, since summers are warm and sunny, and even winters have many sunny days, which is not the situation in other major cities in Canada. This proves the fact that the weather changes fast from day today. The awkward situation is when snow falls in September or May, but it does not last long.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Calgary International Airport has flights from all over the world and it is the easiest way to get to Calgary. It is about 20 minutes from the city center.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

If you are visiting Calgary, you should buy insurance to cover medical emergencies during your trip, as well as other unpredictable situations like baggage loss or theft.

Calgary, Canada

What about weather in Calgary, Canada ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 31°F 34°F 41°F 53°F 62°F 68°F 74°F 74°F 65°F 53°F 39°F 30°F
Temp 21°F 24°F 30°F 41°F 50°F 57°F 63°F 61°F 53°F 42°F 29°F 21°F
Low 13°F 16°F 22°F 32°F 41°F 48°F 52°F 50°F 43°F 33°F 21°F 14°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 0°C 1°C 5°C 11°C 16°C 20°C 23°C 23°C 18°C 11°C 3°C -1°C
Temp -6°C -4°C -1°C 5°C 10°C 13°C 17°C 16°C 11°C 5°C -1°C -6°C
Low -10°C -8°C -5°C 0°C 5°C 8°C 11°C 10°C 6°C 0°C -6°C -10°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Canada with Calgary

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries