Calgary vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Calgary is ~14% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $1,391 | +$90 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $1,068 | +$110 |
| Groceries | $353 | $487 | $134 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $20 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $62 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $137 | $224 | $87 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,739/mo | +$239 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,319/mo | +$319 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,478/mo | +$478 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Calgary is approximately 14% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 vs Vienna's 55.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $90/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Calgary's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 vs $20 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.