Calgary Cost of Living [2025]: How Expensive is Living in Calgary?

Thinking about moving to Calgary? Smart move.

With over 1.6 million people calling the metro area home, Calgary is Alberta's biggest city and Canada's third-largest. This populous city is known for oil and gas, sure, but also for culture, festivals, and some of the best mountain views you'll find anywhere.

Here's the good news: while its status as the largest city means it's the most expensive city in Alberta, the cost of living in Calgary is actually pretty affordable compared to the rest of Canada's big cities.

Let's break down what you'll actually pay to live in Calgary.

Is Calgary Expensive?

Not really—but it depends on your choices.

Housing is your biggest expense, but it's cheaper here than in other major Canadian cities. Groceries, transportation, and utilities run about the same as the rest of Canada. Calgary might not win "cheapest city" awards, but it's nowhere near Vancouver or Toronto. And the high salaries here help offset costs.

The overall cost of living in Calgary is roughly 16% above the national average and 13% above the Alberta average.

Calgary Housing Costs

As of November 2025, the average house price in Calgary is $642,840. The benchmark price is $568,000, and the median is $577,000.

Housing prices keep trending up, but they're still reasonable compared to other major cities.

Nearby Areas:

• Chestermere: $698,100 benchmark
• Cochrane: $585,200 benchmark
• Airdrie: $520,400 benchmark
• Okotoks: $618,600 benchmark

What Different Home Types Cost

Single-family detached homes:

• Average: $815,996
• Benchmark: $744,400

Rowhomes:

• Average: $444,703
• Benchmark: $431,200

Apartment-style condos:

• Average: $337,568
• Benchmark: $318,200

The Calgary Real Estate Board publishes the "benchmark prices" of various home types each month. This isn't a median or an average—instead, CREB uses the MLS Home Price Index to calculate the cost of a "standard" home with typical features for the area. This means that luxury homes and fixer-uppers don't skew the data, and the cost for the "same" house can be tracked over time.

Keep in mind that condos will have additional condo fees. Roughly 24% of Calgary's housing stock is part of a condo association.

Expensive and Affordable Calgary Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood prices vary widely depending on location. Elboya and Whitehorn are both popular areas, but have median home prices of over $1.5 million and around $550,000, respectively.

Other expensive Calgary neighbourhoods include Bel Aire and Upper Mount Royal, where average home prices are frequently $2+ million.

Looking for affordable Calgary neighbourhoods? Check out Cliff Bungalow (high $300s), Deer Ridge (high $400s–mid $500s), Huntington Hills (mid-$500s), and Coach Hill (high $400s–mid $500s).

Average Monthly Rent in Calgary

Studio apartments rent for about $1,500 a month; one-bedrooms for about $1,645. Two-bedroom apartments typically run a little over $1,900. Three-bedroom apartments or townhomes? Expect to pay about $2,300.

Areas near the city centre naturally tend to cost more. Apartments downtown average $1,950 for monthly rent. The highly desirable Beltline is about $1,885. Bridgeland-Riverside, just across the river from downtown, comes in around $1,895.

Utility Costs

Monthly costs for utilities—electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage—range from $150 to around $470. Size matters here.

Natural gas and electricity make up most of that bill (typically $280 to $350 for a 1,200–1,400-square-foot home). Water, sewer, and waste collection add another $70 to $120 monthly.

Internet averages $75 a month. A TV, landline, and internet package? Between $120 and $180. Mobile phone service with unlimited everything costs about $100 monthly.

Insurance Costs

Home insurance in Calgary typically runs from about $1,470 to $2,300 yearly (that's roughly $123 to $192 monthly).

Alberta has Canada's second-highest average premium. The national average is only $960 annually.

Renter's insurance? About $20–$40 monthly or $240–$480 yearly.

Calgary Food Costs

The average monthly cost for groceries in an Alberta household is $600 to $1,200 ($150 to $300 weekly). Calgary's food costs match Edmonton and align with national prices.

Grocery Shopping

Grocery costs are one of the most variable essential expenses, as people of different ages require different amounts of food, and dietary preferences and medical needs can result in vastly different bills at checkout.

That said, if you need a ballpark average, the monthly cost of groceries for one person in Calgary is typically around $400. Cooking for multiple people results in bulk efficiency, so a household of four might spend around $800–$1,000.

Budget-friendly grocery and convenience stores include Giant Tiger, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Save-On-Foods, and Walmart.

Eating Out

Here are some prices for meals at fast food and sit-down restaurants for your reference:

• McDonald's, quarter-pounder with cheese: ~$8.89 (may vary by location)
• Ten Foot Henry, Henry salad: $15
• The Rooftop YYC, spicy butter shrimp: $20
• Vintage Chophouse & Tavern, 14 oz. Canada prime ribeye: $65
• Arepas Ranch food truck, ranchera arepas: $14.77
• Analog Coffee, traditional cappuccino: $4.75

Calgary Transportation Costs

While Calgary does have efficient public transit, the sprawling nature of the city means that you'll likely need a car to get around in Calgary.

Car insurance averages around $1,500–$2,000 per year ($125–$167 per month). Alberta has the third-most-expensive car insurance rates in Canada. If you deliver food for Uber Eats, DoorDash, or similar companies, you'll need special food delivery insurance on top of regular coverage. Your actual cost depends on your age, where you live, driving record, vehicle, and other factors.

Gas costs can range from $1.15 to $1.60 per litre, averaging around $1.30–$1.40. Expect seasonal fluctuations.

Downtown Calgary has a high concentration of the region's jobs, but parking is limited and expensive. Monthly passes at downtown parkades often cost around $400. Surface lots are cheaper, but still typically cost over $200/month. Many Calgarians commute via public transit.

Public Transit

Calgary Transit runs 46 LRT stations and about 150 bus routes, including rapid transit. They handle over 100 million trips annually. New transit extensions are always in the works as Calgary expands.

Fares:

• Adults: $3.80 per ride
• Youth (13–17): $2.55 per ride
• Kids 12 and under: Free
• Adult day pass: $11.95
• Youth day pass: $8.75
• Adult monthly pass: $118
• Youth monthly pass: $86

Taxi rates are regulated by the city, though individual companies can choose to offer lower rates. The maximum rate is a $4.50 initial fee and $0.23 per additional 120 metres (~$1.92 per kilometre).

Calgary Healthcare Costs

Alberta's publicly funded healthcare system (AHCIP) provides healthcare coverage for doctor visits, some dental and oral surgery, psychiatrist visits, and diagnostic procedures. Personal health insurance premiums vary much like car insurance, and can range from around $50 per month (toddlers) to $200+ (premium adult plans; can go $300+ for seniors).

Calgary has four major general hospital facilities and one children's hospital. It also has several major specialist facilities, including the Calgary Cancer Centre.

Annual vet visits for dogs or cats average $100 to $200.

Calgary Childcare Costs

As of April 1st, 2025, families who need full-time childcare in Alberta (100+ hours per month) pay a flat monthly fee of $326.25—$15 per day. Families who need part-time care (50–99 hours) pay $230 per month. However, daycares may offer optional services (like meals) for an additional fee.

That beats Toronto (Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System [CWELCC] facilities are capped at $22 per day). Vancouver's CCFRI daycare funding can potentially reduce fees to $10 per day, but most facilities still use market pricing.

Live-out nannies typically charge $16 to $25 per hour.

Calgary Entertainment Costs

Calgary earned the nickname "Cowtown" for good reason—the Calgary Stampede is one massive summer rodeo and festival. But there's way more to do here. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to love about life in this city.

Example Entertainment Options:

• Alberta Ballet tickets: around $80–$200, depending on show and seat
• Theatre Calgary tickets: around $50–$120, depending on show and seat
• Calgary Zoo general admission: $28.95–$39.95 (dynamic pricing)
• Calgary Brewery Tours: $110 for a 3.5-hour tour
• Calgary Flames tickets at the Saddledome: start at around $60

The provincial sales tax rate (GST) is 5% (harmonized sales tax doesn't apply in Alberta, keeping sales taxes lower than many other Canadian cities).

Calgary Cost: Salary and Jobs

Calgary's economy is diverse. The oil and gas industry remains strong, but financial services, logistics, technology, manufacturing, aerospace, health, retail, and tourism all play major roles.

Biggest Calgary Companies by Employment:

• Suncor Energy Inc.
• Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
• Enbridge Inc.
• Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
• Shaw Communications Inc.
• TC Energy Corp.
• ATCO Ltd.
• Cenovus Energy Inc.
• Imperial Oil Ltd.
• MNP LLP

In-Demand Jobs: Sales associate, driver, receptionist, welder, web developer, business development manager, general labourer, and project manager

Highest-Paying Jobs: Physician, financial modeller, director of business development, general practitioner, and tax manager

Calgary Income Statistics

According to the CMHC, the median household income in Calgary is $100,000 pre-tax, $87,000 post-tax. The average household income is $131,600 pre-tax and $106,700 post-tax.

For comparison, the median household income in Alberta is $96,000 pre-tax and $83,000 post-tax.

As of the 2022 census (the latest information available), the median family income in Calgary was $110,550.

Alberta's minimum wage is $15, implemented in 2018. The average salary is $74,000 per year.

Provincial income tax rates range from 8% on the first $60,000 to 15% on income over $362,961.

Living Costs: Single Person vs. Family

For a single person, average monthly expenses (excluding rent) typically range from just under $1,000 to around $2,200. Add the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, and you're looking at total monthly costs for one person between roughly $2,700 and $3,800.

Families face higher expenses. A family of four can expect average monthly costs of $4,000 to $5,500 (excluding rent). With housing, total monthly costs typically range from $6,300 to $8,200.

These estimated monthly costs vary depending on lifestyle choices, neighbourhood, and spending habits.

Should You Move to Calgary?

When you compare Calgary to Vancouver, Toronto, or most other Canadian cities, the cost advantages become clear. The city's cost of living offers better value while maintaining a high quality of life.

Calgary offers fun events, amazing outdoor access, and affordability that beats most big cities in North America. The Canadian Rockies are right there as a backdrop—a significant part of what makes life in Calgary so appealing.

Before you move, talk to a real estate professional. They'll give you the full picture and help you understand what's available in your price range. Calgary might just be the home you've been looking for.