Calgary, Canada

Cost of Living in Calgary, Canada

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Calgary costs approximately $2,206 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,387. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Calgary is a city in Canada, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,206 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,387 per month, or $1,114 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 256 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Calgary scores 78/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 75°F and winter highs around 31°F, with roughly 316 sunny days a year.

Top for SkiTop for Lowest Disaster RiskLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap water
Monthly Cost$2,206≈ $74/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,387
Internet256 Mbps
Safety78/100
Avg Temp53°F

Calgary Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$18.25
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$67.80
McDonald's Combo Meal$10.95
Cappuccino$3.94
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$5.84
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.93

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.91
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.32
Eggs (12)$3.48
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$5.36
Apples (1 lb)$2
Bananas (1 lb)$0.62
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.98
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.21
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.75
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$14.60
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$14.60

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$2.92
Monthly Transit Pass$86.13
Taxi Start$3.28
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.26
Gasoline (1 Liter)$0.97
VW Golf (New)$28,890.51

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$185.93
Mobile Phone Plan$43.63
Broadband Internet$63.91

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$52.09
Cinema Ticket$12.41
Preschool (Monthly)$829.85
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$15,544.07

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$58.87
Nike Running Shoes$89.25

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,387.31
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,114.36
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,074.42
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,730.61
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$353.18
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$335.87

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,184.33
Mortgage Interest Rate4.53%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,944.90
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,091.30

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Calgary

Internet256 Mbps
Safety78/100
Healthcare93/100
Public Transit48/100
Walkability45/100
Nightlife55/100
Food Scene68/100
Fine Dining20/100
Coffee Culture48/100
Air Quality80/100
Green Spaces75/100
Culture65/100
Beaches5/100
Hiking80/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces40
US Visa-Free180 days

Calgary FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Calgary?

A single person should budget around $2,206 per month in Calgary, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,945 per month.

How much is rent in Calgary?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Calgary averages $1,387 per month, dropping to about $1,114 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,074.

Is Calgary safe?

Calgary scores 78/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 82/100.

How fast is the internet in Calgary?

Median download speeds in Calgary are around 256 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 40 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Canada offer a digital nomad visa?

Canada does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 180 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Calgary?

Calgary sees summer highs around 75°F and winter highs near 31°F, with about 316 sunny days and 87 rainy days per year.

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