Cost of Living in Calgary: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison

Calgary, located in Alberta, Canada, offers a high quality of life, prestigious universities and a vibrant student community. It is the 10th-greatest city to live in Canada, the first-most liveable city in Alberta, and ranked 67th (TOP 0.7%) on the list of the best places to live in the world. If you plan to move to Calgary, you need to estimate the average cost of living in Calgary and ensure that you can afford to live comfortably in the city.

Students can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the financial strain in these Canadian cities. Further, in this blog, we will explore these components of the cost of living in Calgary to help you plan your finances effectively and make the most of your stay in this picturesque country. Please continue reading for a better understanding.

Overview of Cost of Living in Calgary

The average cost of living in Calgary is around CAD 1,592 without rent, while rent is around CAD 1,600 to CAD 2,500 per month according to Numbeo data. This amount of living expenses in Calgary places it in the top 20% of the most expensive cities in the world. However, living expenses can vary according to a person’s standards and preferences.

A person needs to know the average expenses before moving to Calgary. To help expats planning to move to Calgary, we have categorised the average cost of living here into different categories. Here is the overview of the Cost of Living in Calgary for various categories:

Categories	Approx. cost Per Person
Cost of Living	CAD 1,592
Cost of Rent	CAD 1,600 to CAD 2,500 (per month)
Cost of Utilities	CAD 297 (per month)
Cost of Food	CAD 788 (per month)
Cost of Transportation	CAD 115 (Monthly Pass)
Cost of Total Grocery	CAD 150 (for a week)
Monthly salary after tax	CAD 5,008

Now you have got the overview of the Cost of Living in Calgary for various categories, lest understand them in detail:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense

Cost of Grocery in Calgary

The cost of groceries in Calgary is comparable to those in other major Canadian cities. For a single person, the typical weekly or one-time grocery budget is roughly CAD 150. As a daily expense, grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Calgary. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Calgary:

Grocery Items	Average Cost
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	CAD 2.46
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	CAD 3.46
Rice (white), (1kg)	CAD 4.99
Eggs (regular) (12)	CAD 5.35
Apples (1kg)	CAD 6.04
Banana (1kg)	CAD 1.95
Oranges (1kg)	CAD 5.34
Tomato (1kg)	CAD 5.64
Potato (1kg)	CAD 3.62
Onion (1kg)	CAD 3.09
Lettuce (1 head)	CAD 3.67
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	CAD 2.38
Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items	CAD 100

Cost of Housing in Calgary

One of the major expenses in the significant category of cost of living in Calgary is the cost of housing rent. You can assume that approximately CAD 2,039 is the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Calgary’s city centre. You can locate apartments for a little bit less if you’re willing to live outside of the city centre. The costs of apartment rent in Calgary are as follows:

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	CAD 2,039.
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	CAD 1,640
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	CAD 3,142
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	CAD 2,630

Cost of Utilities in Calgary

The monthly basic utility cost in Calgary for a single person is Approximately CAD 297, which is relatively low compared to the cost of living in Calgary. For your reference, we have given the Cost of Utilities in Calgary for immigrant students in the country:

Utility Type	Approx. Monthly Cost
Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc.	CAD 297
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	CAD 64
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	CAD 90

Cost of Transportation in Calgary

The cost of transportation in Calgary is also fairly reasonable. On average, public transport costs around CAD 115 per month, and the good thing is that it comes under the overall cost of living in Calgary. The mode of transportation in Calgary is trains, buses, and cabs. Moreover, owning a car, however, can result in greater petrol and insurance costs.

Here, we have given various modes of transportation with their fare costs:

Transportation	Approx Cost
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	CAD 3.70
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	CAD 115.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	CAD 4.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	CAD 1.96
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	CAD 39.06
Gasoline (1 liter)	CAD 1.48

Miscellaneous Costs in Calgary

In addition to the primary categories of the cost of living in Calgary, there are several other essential expenses to consider. These include costs for items and activities that you’ll likely need or want after spending some time in Calgary, such as clothing, entertainment, and minor healthcare services. Below are the details of some miscellaneous expenses under some headings:

Cost of Personal Care in Calgary

The cost of personal care in Calgary does not affect much to your cost of living in Calgary because it has the lowest price. A few personal care items, including medicine, hair shampoo and deodorant are given below in the table:

Items	Average Cost
Cold medicine for 6 days	CAD 13
1 box of antibiotics	CAD 21
Short visit to a private doctor	CAD 80
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml)	CAD 7
Hair shampoo 2-in-1	CAD 9

Cost of Apparel in Calgary

Understanding the cost of apparel in Calgary can help with budgeting and financial planning. Basic apparel products like pants and t-shirts are often affordable in Calgary, but designer or premium brands might cost more and can affect the cost of living in Calgary. The average costs of clothes in Calgary are as follows:

Clothes Items	Average Cost
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	CAD 77
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …)	CAD 61
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	CAD 117
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	CAD 148

Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense

Cost of Entertainment in Calgary

Calgary also has an affordable entertainment scene. Around CAD 143 is the cost of a ticket to the cinema, the monthly fee for the fitness club and the tennis court rent. The cost of entertainment in Calgary is dependent on the person-to-person. The cost of entertainment is a variable factor in the cost of living in Calgary. Here, we have given the various costs of entertainment in Calgary:

Items	Average Cost
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	CAD 74
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	CAD 51
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	CAD 18

Average Tuition Fee In Calgary

The cost of average tuition fees in Calgary depends upon the course type and varies from university to university. Along with the average cost of living in Calgary, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees. Here is the average fee for a graduate and postgraduate program for international students:

Course Level	Approx. Tuition Fee
Application fee	CAD 250
Graduate Program	CAD 20,000 Per Year
Post graduate Program	CAD 33,000 per Year

Cost of Living in Calgary Compared to Other Cities

Calgary is generally considered a relatively expensive city to live in compared to some cities in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in Calgary to other cities, several factors come into play, including housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Calgary compares to other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Canada, Ottawa, Edmonton, Ontario, and Montreal. We’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Calgary
Cost of Living in Toronto	CAD 1505	Lower than Calgary
Cost of Living in Vancouver	CAD 1541	Lower than Calgary
Cost of Living in Canada	CAD 1,446	Lower than Calgary
Cost of Living in Ottawa	CAD 1524	Lower than Calgary
Cost of Living in Edmonton	CAD 1424	Lower than Calgary
Cost of living in Ontario	CAD 1,450	Lower than Calgary
Cost of living in Montreal	CAD 1,380	Lower than Calgary

Why Study in Calgary?

There are many advantages to studying in Calgary, including an affordable cost of living, a good standard of living, a robust economy, a friendly and diverse community and the best universities in Calgary. Here is information below regarding the advantages of studying in Calgary for Indian students thinking about studying abroad in Canada:

• Calgary is renowned for having a good standard of living, quality of education, and innovative programs in its universities.
• In terms of post-secondary qualifications, such as university degrees, apprenticeships, diplomas, and certificates, Calgary ranks second highest.
• According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, Calgary is the third most livable city in the world and one of the top choices for international students wishing to study and immigrate to Canada.

Things to Consider When Moving to Calgary

Before finalising the cost of living in Calgary’s budget, a student should consider a few other essential things while moving to Calgary for higher education. Here are some of the following that you should consider while travelling in Calgary

• Friendly Environment in Calgary: According to a Big 7 Travel online study, Calgary, also known as “Cowtown,” is the sixth most hospitable city in Canada. Many of the respondents to the online survey say they adore the sense of community in the city.
• Climate in Calgary: You should get ready for the winters here if you’re from a more southern region of Canada. In the dead of winter, the temperature in the city frequently drops to 30 below, and it is quite possible that it will go even lower. One of the best purchases you can make is in winter clothing.
• Transport Facility: Additionally, Calgary Transit has a bus network with routes that cover the whole city. It has received numerous honours for both its effectiveness and environmental stewardship.
• Pay Scale in Calgary: More than just competitive pay is provided by the City of Calgary. Full benefit plans, pension plans, flexible work schedules, and challenging work are all available to city employees which makes you enjoy living leisurely in Calgary.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense
Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs on Cost of Living in Calgary

This was all about the cost of living in Calgary, if you are also looking to study in Calgary and want to be admitted to your dream course from your dream university, reach out to Leverage edu our experts will help and guide you with a smooth process