Calgary vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Calgary is ~35% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $2,503 | $1,022 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $1,960 | $782 |
| Groceries | $353 | $422 | $69 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $28 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $113 | $34 |
| Utilities | $137 | $258 | $121 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,292/mo | +$792 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,057/mo | +$1,057 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,585/mo | +$1,585 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Calgary is approximately 35% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 vs London's 72.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Calgary a $1,022/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,264 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Calgary's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 vs $28 show Calgary is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Calgary offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,335 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.