Cost of living in Calgary: Complete guide for 2025
A city that is a natural wonder in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies; Calgary is home to a vibrant urban core and natural beauty. Calgary has a famous and extremely lively energy sector, and this favourably attracts people from all across the world to live here.
Thirdly. If you are thinking about moving to Calgary or studying at any of its prestigious universities, then you need to understand the living cost. Everything you need to know about living in Calgary is covered in this comprehensive guide, from housing, food, to utilities, to healthcare, to education, to entertainment and more, and taxes.
Does Calgary sound like the place for you? Read this guide to get a sense of what you can expect from moving to this city, whether it’s as a student, young professional or family moving to the area. Understanding the costs will help you have a better idea of how much money you need in your budget to help you ‘deal with’ the transition to your new life in this amazing Canadian city.
Housing Costs in Calgary
One of the biggest expenses in every major town is housing. Calgary is no different. The cost of housing in Calgary depends on some factors such as location, type of accommodation and size.
Apartment and House Rent for average
- One-bedroom apartment: Something around CAD 1,200 to CAD 1,500 per month
- Two-bedroom apartment: That's somewhere around CAD 1,500 - 1,800 a month
- Three-bedroom house: About CAD 2,000 - 2,500 per month.
Student Housing Options
- On-campus housing: Calgary offers universities on-campus residence options that generally include meals and amenities.
- Off-campus housing: Apartments, shared houses and student residences are just some of the off-campus housing available.
- Homestay: What’s great is that you can get to live with a local family and save money on living expenses.
Homeownership Costs
- House prices: Calgary's average house price is approximately CAD 500,000.
- Mortgage rates: Shoppers looking to break into the Canadian mortgage market typically find rates to be very competitive, but numbers can change over time.
- Property taxes: Calgary’s property taxes are a bit lower than others in Canada.
Transportation Costs
Another essential expense is transportation. Featured in that article are many kinds of transportation that Calgary has to offer for different needs and preferences.
Public Transportation
- The primary Calgary public transportation system is Calgary Transit which operates bus service, and CTrain. Monthly passes for unlimited travel are available at a discounted rate:
- Adult Monthly Pass: Approximately CAD 110-120
- Student Monthly Pass: Approximately CAD 70-80
- Senior Monthly Pass: Approximately CAD 60-70
Car Ownership
- The purchase of a car in Calgary can be costed based on factors including the car make, model, car age, Insurance premium, and fuel cost.
- Average fuel prices: Almost CAD 1.50 to 1.70 a litre (or CAD 6 to 7 a gallon).
- Car insurance premiums: The cost can range from CAD 1,000 to 3,000 or more per year depending on your driving record, age and type of vehicle.
- Car purchase prices: Calgary is like that; the average cost of a new car is around CAD 40,000, and used cars are much cheaper.
Food and Groceries
Prices for food and groceries can vary according to whether you choose to be a vegetarian, a vegan, or maintain a meat diet, and where you shop.
Grocery Stores and Markets
- Major grocery chains: In Calgary, there are a range of grocery stores from major chains like Sobeys, Safeway and Costco.
- Farmers' markets: Fresh produce and other food items in local farmers' markets are offered at competitive prices.
Dining Out Costs
- Casual dining: A meal at a casual restaurant will cost an average of CAD 15 – 20.
- Fine dining: The fine dining options are more expensive generally priced between CAD 30-50 per person.
Utilities
Electricity, Gas, and Water
Utilisation rates in Calgary may be different depending on the season and your usage. In general, you can expect to pay around the following monthly costs for a typical two-bedroom apartment:
- Electricity: Approximately CAD 100-150
- Gas: Approximately CAD 50-70
- Water: Approximately CAD 50-70
Additionally, you can help yourself by choosing energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and electronics when you’re not using them and conserving water.
Internet and Cable TV
- Calgary offers several plans and speeds from a number of the many internet service providers. The speed of your plan and the provider may affect prices. Here are some approximate monthly costs for internet and cable TV:
- Basic Internet plan: Approximately CAD 50-60
- High-speed internet plan: Approximately CAD 70-90
- Cable TV package: Approximately CAD 50-80
Healthcare Costs
Living in any country needs an important element for healthcare. Canada has a universal healthcare system and everyone is entitled to basic medical services.
Public Healthcare System
- Provincial Health Insurance: Albertans are eligible for provincial health insurance coverage for most medically necessary services.
- Waiting times: Waiting times for some procedures or specialists may be there.
Private Health Insurance
- Supplemental coverage: Other people might require extra services provided or eliminate the waiting time by buying private health insurance.
Education Costs
The cost of education is also to be considered if you are planning to study in Calgary.
International Student Tuition Fees
- Tuition fees can be quite different when it comes to international students in Calgary between some universities and programmes. Here are some approximate annual tuition fees for undergraduate and graduate programs:
- Undergraduate programs: CAD 20,000-30,000
- Graduate programs: CAD 25,000-40,000
Financial Aid and Student Loans
This might be one way to bring down the education costs if international students are eligible for student loans. There are several student loan programmes that the Canadian government offers such as Canada Student Loans Programme (CSLP). Universities in Calgary will also offer international students financial aid programmes like scholarships, bursaries and fellowships.
Entertainment and Leisure
Calgary has a lot of activities of entertainment and entertainment to entertain different people.
Cost of Going Out
- Bars and clubs: Bars and clubs tend to make the cost of going out uneven depending on the venue and night of the week. A drink with a cover charge will cost you around CAD 10-20.
- Movies and concerts: Movie or concert ticket prices can be anywhere from CAD 10 – 30.
Recreational and Cultural Activities
- Museums and galleries: Museums and galleries that we visit in Calgary charge CAD 10-20 for admission fees.
- Outdoor activities: If you love the outdoors Calgary is a great place for hiking, biking, skiing, rafting, camping or skiing. Many of these activities are free or have almost free associated costs.
Living Expenses for International Students
International students planning to study in Calgary need to carefully budget their living expenses.
Budget Planning for International Students
- Estimate your expenses: Create a detailed budget to estimate your monthly living expenses.
- Consider scholarships and bursaries: Explore scholarship and bursary opportunities to help offset your costs.
Conclusion
By its unique combination of urban amenities and natural beauty, Calgary has attracted international students looking to study there. The cost of living in Calgary doesn’t compare too badly with some other cities, but it’s not as cheap as you’d think compared to major cities in Canada and the United States. The first step is to plan your budget carefully, the second is to investigate scholarship opportunities, third is to utilise the city’s low-cost transportation and recreational options. However, remember to research the exact cost involved with the university and programme you wish to attend to get a more accurate notion of just how much you might spend on living expenses.
Calgary is a fun, friendly city with a lot to offer international students by way of a vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and an all-around high quality of life. This guide will provide you with the tips and information you need to be able to make an informed decision for yourself to weigh up whether Calgary is the right city for you.
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