Cost of living in Calgary (Canada) is 10% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 696 prices entered by 74 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Calgary (Canada) is about the same as in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | C$26 | C$26 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | C$14 | C$15 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | C$11 | C$11 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | C$3.68 | C$2.73 | + 34% | |
| 12 eggs, large | C$6 | C$5.43 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | C$6 | C$7 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | C$9 | C$10 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | C$5.97 | C$5.99 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | C$3.61 | C$4.85 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | C$4.65 | C$4.49 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | C$25 | C$22 | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | C$3.47 | C$3.74 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | C$3.17 | C$4.01 | - 21% | |
| Housing | - 23% | |||
| Housing in Calgary (Canada) is 23% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | C$3,186 | C$4,614 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | C$2,069 | C$3,597 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | C$326 | C$153 | + 113% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | C$1,844 | C$2,848 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | C$1,628 | C$2,295 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | C$158 | C$108 | + 46% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | C$71 | C$80 | - 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | C$407 | C$422 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | C$209 | C$220 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | C$11 | C$14 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | C$42 | C$32 | + 29% | |
| Clothes | - 9% | |||
| Clothes in Calgary (Canada) is 9% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | C$78 | C$90 | - 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | C$60 | C$61 | - 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | C$120 | C$139 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | C$141 | C$179 | - 21% | |
| Transportation | - 1% | |||
| Transportation in Calgary (Canada) is about the same as in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | C$35,147 | C$33,926 | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | C$1.45 | C$1.79 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | C$119 | C$117 | + 1% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | C$23 | C$23 | - 3% | |
| Personal Care | - 24% | |||
| Personal Care in Calgary (Canada) is 24% cheaper than in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | C$10 | C$10 | - 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | C$17 | C$22 | - 23% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | C$87 | C$142 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | C$10 | C$10 | - 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | C$5.63 | C$8 | - 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | C$8 | C$7 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | C$3.92 | C$4.63 | - 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | C$3.15 | C$3.71 | - 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | C$35 | C$47 | - 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Calgary (Canada) is about the same as in Vancouver (Canada) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Calgary | Vancouver | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | C$63 | C$74 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | C$37 | C$34 | + 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | C$140 | C$260 | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | C$117 | C$135 | - 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | C$16 | C$19 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | C$6 | C$5.74 | + 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | C$8 | C$8 | - 1% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | C$642 | C$774 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | C$0.57 | C$0.47 | + 22% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | C$94 | C$62 | + 53% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | C$15 | C$22 | - 33% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 10% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 696 prices entered by 74 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 16, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require C$14,000 in Vancouver you would need to make just about C$12,554 in Calgary.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
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