The Cost of Living in Calgary [2024]

Calgary offers a strong job market, beautiful natural surroundings, and relatively affordable housing compared to other cities like Vancouver. Alberta's low tax rates and the city’s proximity to Banff National Park add to its appeal, with rental rates being more affordable than those in major cities in B.C. or Ontario.

If Calgary is on your list of relocation possibilities, become familiar with the cost of living so that you know if the city is a good fit for you.

Reasons to move to Calgary

There’s a diversity of career opportunities in Calgary. Jobs are abundant in the city’s energy sector, driven by oil and gas. The construction industry is thriving due to the development boom. Opportunities in agriculture and agribusiness are plentiful, in the areas of food production, distribution and innovation. Calgary is a transportation hub that creates demand for logistics and warehouse jobs. Tech, finance, healthcare, and tourism also contribute stable jobs to the job market.

The average annual income in Calgary is $58,243, and the average household income is $131,600.

What’s different about Calgary?

Calgarians benefit from Alberta’s lack of provincial sales tax which keeps living costs lower. Calgary is next door to the Rocky Mountains which provides easy access to world-class outdoor activities in famous “outdoor playgrounds” like Banff and Jasper. To top it all off, Calgary offers affordable housing compared to cities like Vancouver and Toronto, and a reputation for cleanliness and well-organised infrastructure.

Living in Calgary has its challenges, particularly with urban sprawl, which results in long commutes for many locals, especially those living in the suburbs. This is especially challenging as the public transit system is relatively underdeveloped. Additionally, Calgary’s economy is heavily affected by the energy sector, leading to a boom-and-bust cycle. Job instability is rampant during downtimes in oil and gas.

Weighing the pros and cons of living in Calgary can help you to make your choice based on your employment, income and lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living in Calgary

Renting in Calgary

Despite high demand and limited supply of rentals in Calgary, renting a place is still more affordable than in Toronto or Vancouver. The most affordable areas of Calgary include:

• Forest Lawn

• Dover

• Ogden

• Falconridge

• Pineridge

If you're looking to cut down on rent, consider sharing a place with roommates. Some of the top online platforms for finding or listing room rentals include:

• Craigslist

• Kijiji

• Facebook Marketplace

• Roomies.ca

• Rentals.ca

• Zillow

• Roomster

• Zumper

Buying Property in Calgary

The average home price in Calgary is $588,600. This is a quarter of Toronto and Vancouver average home prices! Some of the most affordable areas to buy a home in Calgary include neighbourhoods like Abbeydale, Penbrooke Meadows, and Castleridge in the northeast, and Ogden and Dover in the southeast. Average home prices in these areas range from $320,000 to $450,00.

Calgary’s Neighbourhoods of Interest

With the size of Calgary’s urban sprawl, it's no surprise that the city has approximately 206 neighbourhoods, which are referred to as "communities" by the municipal government. There are a few areas of Calgary that are exceptionally popular and unique:

Beltline

Beltline has the quintessential urban vibe which attracts young professionals and urbanites. You can find trendy restaurants, bars, clubs and everything is close to downtown offices. Housing is a mix of upscale, modern condos, and gorgeous historic homes.

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Beltline is $$2,030, and the median home price is $403,437.

Kensington

You can walk everywhere in this artistic neighbourhood, and it's filled with funky boutiques, shops, cafes and galleries. The tight-knit community feeling is similar to that of a small town, and it's close to the Bow River and lots of cycling paths.

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kensington is $1,393 and the average home price is $595,489.

Bridgeland

Bridgeland offers urban convenience with quiet, residential living. Families and hardworking professionals like having access to parks such as Tom Campbell’s Hill, and local cafes and farmer’s markets. The Calgary Zoo and downtown are both close by.

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bridgeland is $2,015 and the average home price is $694,434.

Altadore

What makes Altadore special, especially with nature lovers, is its abundance of green spaces, including River Park and Sandy Beach. The community is strong here and the schools are renowned.

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Altadore is $1,865 and the average home price is $795,981.

Inglewood

Inglewood is Calgary’s oldest neighbourhood and is loved by locals for its history, unique shops, art galleries, and opportunities to see live music. Musicians and artists flock here and the community feeling is strong. An added bonus is Inglewood’s proximity to the Bow River.

The average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Inglewood is $1,415 and the average home price is $882,548.

Things to do in Calgary

Calgary is a balanced mix of urban vibes and natural beauty. The nearby Rockies offer easy access to outdoor activities, and within the city there is an abundance of the arts, culinary diversity, festivals, museums and galleries.

Heritage Park Historical Village

Heritage Park has over 180 exhibits and 55,000 artefacts, making it one of the largest living history museums in Canada. You can really get a feel for what life was like in the past, in the form of re-enactments, antique steam train rides, historical buildings, etc.

General admission for ages 16–64 is $34.95, child admission for ages 3–15 is $22.95, and senior admission for ages 65 and over is $26.95.

Studio Bell - National Music Centre

This live music venue is also a museum where you can learn all about Canada’s music history as well as enjoying interactive exhibits.

Adult tickets are priced at $24.50, tickets for students and seniors (65+) are $19.50, and youth tickets for ages 4–12 are $16.50.

The Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is famous globally and is known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,"Millions of visitors come every July, to see rodeo competitions, chuckwagon races, agricultural exhibitions, live music, parades, and carnival rides.

Calgary Stampede admission prices offer a variety of options. General adult tickets are $24.50, while students and seniors (65+) can enter for $19.50, and youth tickets for ages 4–12 are $16.50. Evening show admission, which includes access to the rodeo and chuckwagon races, costs extra depending on seating and availability. 2-day passes provide more value and are priced accordingly, offering discounts over single-day rates.

Canada Olympic Park

This is a chance to visit the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. Take part in year-round activities like skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh rides, and ziplining.

Summer Hill Tickets typically start at $24.99, granting access to outdoor adventures such as mountain biking and zip lining. Winter Hill Tickets are for skiing and snowboarding, with adult day tickets starting at $47.99, youth tickets $37.99, and child tickets priced $26.99. The Servus Tube Park offers tickets priced at $22.99 for adults, $18.99 for youth, and $12.99 for children, for unlimited rides.

Calgary Events

Beyond the world-famous Stampede mentioned in the last section, Calgarians and visitors stay busy with the wide array of events that the city has to offer. Some of the most popular Calgary events include but aren't limited to:

Calgary Folk Music Festival

This festival happens every July and is one of Canada’s most diverse festivals, bringing musical acts from all over the world. The event is held at Prince’s Island Park, featuring multiple stages, food trucks, and artisan vendors.

Ticket prices for the Calgary Folk Music Festival include full festival passes for adults at $200 to $250 and for youth (ages 13-17) at $130 to $150. Single-day tickets cost $80 to $90 for adults and $40 to $50 for youth. Children 12 and under can attend for free with a ticketed adult. VIP passes are available at higher rates for added perks.

GlobalFest

If you like fireworks, then visit GlobalFest in August. This international fireworks competition features the best of the best in pyrotechnics and performances. The festival is held at Ellison Park in southeast Calgary.

Nightly passes start at $12.50 and 5-day passes start at $50.00.

Big Winter Classic

This festival brings together music fans in the dead of winter, when people need connection the most. The festival features local and international independent artists, during the time of year where it can be challenging for musicians to have steady work. Big Winter Classic is a memorable celebration of music, art, and winter culture, and takes place across multiple venues in Calgary.

A full weekend pass is $105 and daily passes range from $50-$65 depending on the day.

Beakerhead

One way to make science more interesting is to make it fun. Beakerhead festival in September combines art, science and engineering into interactive exhibits, art installations and workshops. Beakerhead is held at various venues across Calgary.

Daytime admission prices for Beakerhead are $32.95 for adults (18-64) and $29.95 for seniors (65+). For Beakernight, tickets are $32+GST for Spark members and $36+GST for regular admission. All-ages tickets are $36.00, and child tickets (ages 3-17) are $23.95.

READ: Unique Canadian Festivals You Don’t Want To Miss

The Cost of Food in Calgary

Alberta, and Calgary in particular, is known for its beef. So, farm-to-table restaurants are popular, offering the best of Albertan beef. The city also offers international cuisines, from Asian and Middle Eastern to Mexican. Craft beer is big in Calgary as well!

Grocery Costs

Grocery costs in Calgary vary depending on the store and what kind of food is being purchased.

Monthly food bills are approximately $300 to $400 for a single person and around $800 to $1,200 for a family of four.

Cost of Dining Out

According to Google Maps data, there are a whopping 3757 restaurants in Calgary. Good luck choosing one!

Cheap Eats $3 - $15

Naina’s Kitchen - Indian

The Wooden Dog - Hot dogs and poutine

Banh Mi Thi Thi - Vietnamese

Mid-range $20 - $40

Mercato - Italian

Foreign Concept - Asian and Canadian

Fine Dining $30 - $60

La Brezza - Italian

Bistro Rouge - French

Getting Around in Calgary

Traffic congestion in Calgary can be significant during peak hours. Weather conditions can affect driving, with snow and ice during winter months making driving more challenging and precarious.

Most residents drive, but cycling and walking are also popular, especially downtown (during the warmer months, of course).

Calgary Transit includes buses and the CTrain light rail service. The CTrain has two main lines, the Red Line and the Blue Line, connecting outer neighbourhoods to downtown and other areas.

Single-trip fares are $3.50 for adults, $2.50 for youth (ages 6-17), and free for children under 6. Monthly passes are $109 for adults, $80 for youth, and $53 for seniors (65+). A Day Pass costs $11.25, and a Family Day Pass costs $11.25, and is valid for two adults and up to four children under 18. Full-time students can purchase a monthly pass for $80. Seniors also get discounted passes.

Parking in Calgary

Street parking downtown ranges from $2 to $5 per hour, with higher rates during peak hours. Outside the downtown core, you can park for $1 to $3 per hour.

In parking lots and parkades, downtown rates range from $20 to $35 per day, with hourly rates between $4 to $6. Outside the city centre it’s $10 to $15 per day.

For monthly parking, downtown passes cost between $200 to $500, while outside downtown, rates are lower, ranging from $100 to $200 per month.