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Calgary is stable in the Canadian province of Alberta. The average cost of living in Calgary is CAD 1,575, while rent is around CAD 1,600 per month, placing it in the top 20% of the most expensive cities in the world. Living expenses in Calgary can vary according to a person’s standards and preferences.
Calgary 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. Below, we have given a brief of various costs in a table.
| Categories | Approx. cost Per Person |
| Total with rent | CAD 1800 |
| Utilities | CAD 309 |
| Food at Inexpensive Restaurant | CAD 25 |
| Transportation (Monthly Pass) | CAD 115 |
| Total Grocery | CAD 150 |
| Monthly salary after tax | CAD 4,787 |
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Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense
Overview of Cost of Living in Calgary
The Cost of Living in Calgary is CAD 3375, and it depends on the location and the way of living of a person; it also differs on personal preference. A person need to know the average expenses before moving to Calgary. To help expats planning to move 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:
Cost of Grocery in Calgary
Cost of grocery in Calgary is comparable to those in other significant Canadian cities. For a single person, the typical monthly 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 2.53 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CAD 3.26 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CAD 4.99 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CAD 5.00 |
| Apples (1kg) | CAD 5.80 |
| Banana (1kg) | CAD 1.91 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CAD 5.34 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CAD 5.64 |
| Potato (1kg) | CAD 3.62 |
| Onion (1kg) | CAD 3.09 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | CAD 3.59 |
| 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 Calgary is the price of housing. Around CAD 1,900 is the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the 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 1,936.28 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | CAD 1,586.21 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | CAD 2,939.31 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | CAD 2,439.19 |
Cost of Utilities in Calgary
Monthly basic utility cost in Calgary for a single person is Approx. CAD 309, 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 309.07 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | CAD 60.11 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | CAD 91.64 |
Cost of Clothing in Calgary
Basic apparel products like pants and t-shirts often cost 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 82.50 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | CAD 71.36 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | CAD 122.34 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | CAD 167.26 |
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 3.60 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CAD 115.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CAD 4.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CAD 3.15 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CAD 52.50 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | CAD 1.41 |
Cost of Personal Care in Calgary
The cost of personal care in Calgary does not affect 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 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense
Cost of Entertainment in Calgary
The cost of entertainment in Calgary is dependent on the person-to-person. Calgary also has an affordable entertainment scene. Around $200 monthly is spent dining out, watching films and other entertainment. You can add an extra amount because the costs of entertainment are not included in the cost of living in Calgary. Here, we have given various costs of entertainment in Sydney:
| Items | Average Cost |
| Basic dinner out for two in a neighbourhood pub | CAD 62 |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CAD 33 |
| 1 cocktail drink in the downtown club | CAD 15 |
| 1 month of gym membership in the business district | CAD 80 |
Cost of Tuition Fee In Calgary
The cost of 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 |
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 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.
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FAQs
Ans: The average cost of living in Calgary, including rent, is around CAD 3375 and it depends on the location and standard of lifestyle you select in Calgary.
Ans: The salary you need to live in Calgary is around CAD 3375, which is equal to the average cost of living in Calgary. However, on average, the wage in Calgary is around CAD 65,000 per year, which is very high compared to the average cost of living in Calgary.
Ans: The average rent in Calgary for a single person is around CAD 1,900. The average rent in Calgary varies according to the location a person selects, which makes the cost of living in Calgary affordable.
This was all about the cost of living in Calgary, if you are also looking to study in Calgary and want to admit in your dream course from your dream university, reach out to Leverage edu our experts will help and guide you with smooth process
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