Vancouver vs Calgary
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Calgary is ~24% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vancouver
Canada
COL+Rent
63.1
Rent Index
51.8
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
75.2
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vancouver | Calgary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,286 | $1,481 | +$805 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,818 | $1,178 | +$640 |
| Groceries | $425 | $353 | +$72 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $19 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $96 | $79 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $165 | $137 | +$28 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vancouver | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,465/mo | $1,717/mo |
| Typical | $3,302/mo | $2,335/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,060/mo | $2,913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vancouver | ≈ in Calgary | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,134/mo | -$366 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,512/mo | -$488 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,268/mo | -$732 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vancouver vs Calgary for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Calgary is approximately 24% more affordable than Vancouver when combining rent and daily living costs. Vancouver's COL+Rent Index of 63.1 vs Calgary's 47.7 (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 Vancouver costs $2,286/month versus $1,481/month in Calgary — 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 Vancouver ($425/mo) vs Calgary ($353/mo) reflect Calgary's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $19 show Calgary offers cheaper dining. 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.