Calgary vs Vancouver
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Calgary is ~24% 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
Vancouver
Canada
COL+Rent
63.1
Rent Index
51.8
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
75.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | Vancouver | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $2,286 | $805 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $1,818 | $640 |
| Groceries | $353 | $425 | $72 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $22 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $96 | $17 |
| Utilities | $137 | $165 | $28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $2,465/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $3,302/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $4,060/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in Vancouver | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,984/mo | +$484 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,646/mo | +$646 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,969/mo | +$969 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs Vancouver for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Calgary is approximately 24% more affordable than Vancouver when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 vs Vancouver's 63.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $2,286/month in Vancouver — giving Calgary a $805/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,660 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs Vancouver ($425/mo) reflect Calgary's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 vs $22 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.