Cost of Living · Updated October 25, 2026 · 14 min read
Cost of Living in Alberta (2026): Calgary and Edmonton Compared
Alberta is one of the cheaper provinces to live in: a single renter needs about $3,105 a month in Calgary and $2,960 in Edmonton before income tax, against $3,089 for Canada. Alberta has no provincial sales tax and no health premium.
Alberta's costs are shaped by cheap housing, cheap gas and low taxes, offset by high utilities and fast-rising car insurance. This guide uses Numbeo prices for October 2026 for Calgary and Edmonton and sets them next to Canada's average, Toronto and Vancouver.
Alberta cost of living at a glance
How the other places compare with Calgary, overall
Edmonton
- Costs
- About the same
- Pay
- 6% higher
Canada
- Costs
- 4% higher
- Pay
- 3% lower
Toronto
- Costs
- 17% higher
- Pay
- 7% higher
Vancouver
- Costs
- 24% higher
- Pay
- 8% higher
Average gap from Calgary across 27 price lines (rent, food, transport, bills, fun, childcare and tax), each counted equally, so it shows direction, not your own bill. Pay is the average of average earnings and net salary. Red means higher and green means lower for costs; for pay the colours are flipped, because earning more is the good outcome.
| Summary | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget (renter, before income tax) | |||||
| Single renter | $3,105 | $2,960 5% lower than Calgary | $3,089 1% lower than Calgary | $3,538 14% higher than Calgary | $3,754 21% higher than Calgary |
| Couple | $4,114 | $3,935 4% lower than Calgary | $4,036 2% lower than Calgary | $4,535 10% higher than Calgary | $4,752 16% higher than Calgary |
| Family of four (no childcare or car) | $5,031 | $4,687 7% lower than Calgary | $4,992 1% lower than Calgary | $5,512 10% higher than Calgary | $6,040 20% higher than Calgary |
| Housing | |||||
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $1,736 | $1,539 11% lower than Calgary | $1,799 4% higher than Calgary | $2,265 30% higher than Calgary | $2,507 44% higher than Calgary |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $1,438 | $1,285 11% lower than Calgary | $1,586 10% higher than Calgary | $2,029 41% higher than Calgary | $2,154 50% higher than Calgary |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $2,340 | $2,018 14% lower than Calgary | $2,484 6% higher than Calgary | $3,015 29% higher than Calgary | $3,506 50% higher than Calgary |
| Typical home price | $569,200 | $593,000 4% higher than Calgary | — | $940,800 65% higher than Calgary | $1,099,100 93% higher than Calgary |
| Apartment price per sq ft, centre | $475 | $295 38% lower than Calgary | $610 29% higher than Calgary | $998 110% higher than Calgary | $1,099 131% higher than Calgary |
| Property tax rate | 0.63% | 1.04% 65% higher than Calgary | — | 0.77% 22% higher than Calgary | 0.31% 51% lower than Calgary |
| Food and drink | |||||
| Groceries, one adult (full cart) | $471 | $429 9% lower than Calgary | $446 5% lower than Calgary | $420 11% lower than Calgary | $489 4% higher than Calgary |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $28.00 12% higher than Calgary | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Dinner for two, mid-range | $99 | $108 9% higher than Calgary | $100 1% higher than Calgary | $110 11% higher than Calgary | $100 1% higher than Calgary |
| Pint of draught beer | $7.00 | $8.12 16% higher than Calgary | $8.00 14% higher than Calgary | $9.00 29% higher than Calgary | $8.00 14% higher than Calgary |
| Cappuccino | $5.30 | $5.51 4% higher than Calgary | $5.34 1% higher than Calgary | $5.70 8% higher than Calgary | $5.60 6% higher than Calgary |
| Transportation | |||||
| Monthly transit pass | $126 | $102 19% lower than Calgary | $101 20% lower than Calgary | $156 24% higher than Calgary | $117 7% lower than Calgary |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.69 | $1.61 5% lower than Calgary | $1.70 1% higher than Calgary | $1.76 4% higher than Calgary | $2.00 18% higher than Calgary |
| Car insurance, per year (midpoint of range) | $1,700 | $1,700 | — | $2,175 28% higher than Calgary | $2,000 18% higher than Calgary |
| Bills | |||||
| Utilities (915 sq ft) | $231 | $323 40% higher than Calgary | $209 10% lower than Calgary | $172 26% lower than Calgary | $116 50% lower than Calgary |
| Mobile plan | $54 | $62 13% higher than Calgary | $59 9% higher than Calgary | $46 15% lower than Calgary | $52 4% lower than Calgary |
| Home internet | $72 | $77 6% higher than Calgary | $84 16% higher than Calgary | $68 5% lower than Calgary | $74 2% higher than Calgary |
| Fun and travel | |||||
| Movie ticket | $20.00 | $17.62 12% lower than Calgary | $16.00 20% lower than Calgary | $18.00 10% lower than Calgary | $17.50 13% lower than Calgary |
| Gym membership | $70 | $61 13% lower than Calgary | $54 24% lower than Calgary | $52 27% lower than Calgary | $56 21% lower than Calgary |
| Night out for two | $153 | $159 4% higher than Calgary | $148 3% lower than Calgary | $164 7% higher than Calgary | $151 1% lower than Calgary |
| Hotel average daily rate | $188 | $153 18% lower than Calgary | $258 37% higher than Calgary | $261 39% higher than Calgary | $284 51% higher than Calgary |
| Family | |||||
| Regulated childcare, per child per day | $15.03 | $15.03 | $20.00 33% higher than Calgary | $22.00 46% higher than Calgary | $40.00 166% higher than Calgary |
| Private preschool, per month | $779 | $896 15% higher than Calgary | $993 27% higher than Calgary | $1,051 35% higher than Calgary | $1,500 93% higher than Calgary |
| Pay and tax | |||||
| Average yearly earnings | $71,296 | $71,296 | $69,328 3% lower than Calgary | $71,173 | $70,115 2% lower than Calgary |
| Net salary per month (Numbeo) | $4,372 | $4,855 11% higher than Calgary | $4,221 3% lower than Calgary | $5,022 15% higher than Calgary | $5,132 17% higher than Calgary |
| Minimum wage per hour | $15.00 | $15.00 | $18.15 21% higher than Calgary | $17.95 20% higher than Calgary | $18.25 22% higher than Calgary |
| Tax and payroll on $100,000 | $27,117 | $27,117 | $27,291 1% higher than Calgary | $27,291 1% higher than Calgary | $26,065 4% lower than Calgary |
| Sales tax | 5% GST (no provincial sales tax) | 5% GST (no provincial sales tax) | 5% to 15% | 13% HST | 5% GST + 7% PST |
| Salary needed (single person) | |||||
| To break even, outside the centre | $46,000 | $44,000 4% lower than Calgary | $47,000 2% higher than Calgary | $54,000 17% higher than Calgary | $56,000 22% higher than Calgary |
| To live comfortably in the centre | $61,000 | $58,000 5% lower than Calgary | $61,000 | $71,000 16% higher than Calgary | $75,000 23% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo, 24-25 October 2026 (CAD). Budgets are modelled from those prices (see the monthly budget section), exclude income tax, and are for renters. Net salary is Numbeo’s reported average after tax, a sample average and not Statistics Canada data. Average earnings are Statistics Canada (March 2026), tax uses 2026 brackets, and salary needed comes from the model in the salary sections below. A dash means no comparable figure is published for that place. The ▲ and ▼ percentages show how much higher or lower each place is than Calgary, the first column; for pay rows higher is better, for costs lower is better.
Ranking: nine Canadian cities, most to least expensive
| City | Single renter | 1 bed, centre | Groceries (staples) | Net salary | Left after budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $3,754 | $2,507 | $228 | $5,132 | $1,378 |
| Toronto | $3,538 | $2,265 | $196 | $5,022 | $1,484 |
| Victoria | $3,465 | $2,179 | $231 | $4,525 | $1,060 |
| Halifax | $3,381 | $2,060 | $222 | $3,900 | $519 |
| Ottawa | $3,379 | $2,047 | $214 | $5,163 | $1,784 |
| Calgary (this guide) | $3,105 | $1,736 | $220 | $4,372 | $1,267 |
| Hamilton | $3,023 | $1,778 | $189 | $4,274 | $1,251 |
| Edmonton | $2,960 | $1,539 | $201 | $4,855 | $1,895 |
| Montreal | $2,926 | $1,775 | $200 | $4,159 | $1,233 |
“Left after budget” is Numbeo’s average monthly net salary minus the modelled single-renter budget. It is a rough gauge of breathing room, not a savings rate, because averages hide who actually earns what.
What does a month cost in Alberta?
A single renter needs about $3,105 a month in Calgary before income tax, a couple about $4,114, and a family of four about $5,031. For a single renter that is 5% more than Edmonton ($2,960).
- Rent
- Groceries
- Utilities, phone, internet
- Transit
- Eating and drinking out
- Gym and movies
Built from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Excludes income tax, childcare, car costs, clothing, and travel. Hover or tap a bar for the line-by-line split.
- Single renter: 1 bedroom in the city centre, one transit pass, eating out about once a week plus coffees.
- Couple: 1 bedroom in the city centre, two transit passes, a few nights out a month.
- Family of four: 3 bedroom outside the centre, two adult passes, 2.7 adults' worth of groceries, no childcare or car.
Edmonton leaves a single renter the most cushion of any city we track ($1,895 a month after the modelled budget) and Calgary $1,267.
Common monthly expenses in Alberta
A single renter in Calgary spends about $3,312 a month on the essentials, a couple about $4,488, and a family of four with one child in childcare about $5,938. Rent is 52% of the single budget, groceries 14%, and transport 4%.
| Monthly expense | Single | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,736 | $1,736 | $2,340 |
| Utilities, phone, internet | $358 | $412 | $470 |
| Groceries | $471 | $847 | $1,271 |
| Transit | $126 | $252 | $252 |
| Eating and drinking out | $284 | $606 | $397 |
| Gym and movies | $130 | $261 | $301 |
| Clothing and shoes | $47 | $94 | $141 |
| Dental, vision, prescriptions | $60 | $120 | $180 |
| Household, subscriptions, personal care | $100 | $160 | $260 |
| Childcare | — | — | $326 |
| Total per month | $3,312 | $4,488 | $5,938 |
| Salary needed to break even | $51,000 | $65,000 | $89,000 |
Single and couple: one-bedroom in the city centre, transit passes. Family: three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare at about $15.03 a day, transit passes. Rent, groceries, utilities, transit, dining and leisure come from Numbeo’s October 2026 prices. Clothing (two pairs of jeans, two dresses or tops, running shoes and business shoes a year per adult), health costs ($60 an adult a month for dental, vision and prescriptions), and household items ($100 to $260) are our assumptions. “Salary needed to break even” is the gross pay whose after-tax income equals the total, with nothing saved.
See also: monthly expenses in Vancouver.
Rent in Alberta
A one bedroom in the city centre averages $1,736 a month in Calgary, 13% more than Edmonton ($1,539). Outside the centre it drops to $1,438, and a three bedroom outside the centre is $2,340.
| Monthly rent | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, city centre | $1,736 | $1,539 11% lower than Calgary | $1,799 4% higher than Calgary | $2,265 30% higher than Calgary | $2,507 44% higher than Calgary |
| 1 bedroom, outside centre | $1,438 | $1,285 11% lower than Calgary | $1,586 10% higher than Calgary | $2,029 41% higher than Calgary | $2,154 50% higher than Calgary |
| 3 bedroom, city centre | $2,710 | $2,441 10% lower than Calgary | $2,864 6% higher than Calgary | $3,842 42% higher than Calgary | $4,442 64% higher than Calgary |
| 3 bedroom, outside centre | $2,340 | $2,018 14% lower than Calgary | $2,484 6% higher than Calgary | $3,015 29% higher than Calgary | $3,506 50% higher than Calgary |
| Average asking rent, 1 bed (market data) | $1,580 | $1,320 16% lower than Calgary | — | $2,400 52% higher than Calgary | $2,600 65% higher than Calgary |
| Average asking rent, 2 bed (market data) | $1,900 | $1,600 16% lower than Calgary | — | $2,700 42% higher than Calgary | $3,150 66% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
City-centre and outside-centre rents are Numbeo samples. The “market data” rows are average asking rents from this site’s city comparison data (Rentals.ca and CMHC-based). Asking rents run higher than what sitting tenants pay.
Calgary's city-centre one bedroom is $1,736 and Edmonton's $1,539, against Canada's $1,799. Alberta has no rent control.
See also: rent in Calgary.
Buying a home in Alberta
The typical Calgary home is about $569,200 (benchmark, CREB, July 2026). Apartments sell for about $475 a square foot in the centre of Calgary, 61% more than Edmonton ($295).
| Buying | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home price | $569,200 | $593,000 4% higher than Calgary | — | $940,800 65% higher than Calgary | $1,099,100 93% higher than Calgary |
| Detached | $743,900 | $593,000 20% lower than Calgary | — | $1,360,000 83% higher than Calgary | $1,990,000 168% higher than Calgary |
| Condo apartment | $299,000 | $219,000 27% lower than Calgary | — | $631,000 111% higher than Calgary | $771,000 158% higher than Calgary |
| Price per sq ft, apartment in centre | $475 | $295 38% lower than Calgary | $610 29% higher than Calgary | $998 110% higher than Calgary | $1,099 131% higher than Calgary |
| Price per sq ft, apartment outside centre | $419 | $252 40% lower than Calgary | $490 17% higher than Calgary | $882 110% higher than Calgary | $853 104% higher than Calgary |
| Property tax rate | 0.63% | 1.04% 65% higher than Calgary | — | 0.77% 22% higher than Calgary | 0.31% 51% lower than Calgary |
| Annual tax on a typical home | $3,586 | $6,167 72% higher than Calgary | — | $7,244 102% higher than Calgary | $3,407 5% lower than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Home prices are MLS board figures, each on the basis shown in our city comparison tool (benchmark, median or average, so compare within a row with care). Price per square foot is Numbeo’s apartment figure.
The City of Calgary benchmark is $569,200 and Edmonton's detached average about $593,000, with apartment prices of $475 and $295 per square foot. Alberta has no land transfer tax.
See also: home prices in Edmonton.
Groceries in Alberta
A month of staples for one adult costs about $220 in Calgary, 10% more than Edmonton ($201). Scaled to a real shopping cart that is nearer $471 a month for one adult.
| Item | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | $2.88 | $2.33 19% lower than Calgary | $3.12 8% higher than Calgary | $3.50 22% higher than Calgary | $3.12 8% higher than Calgary |
| White bread (1 lb loaf) | $3.49 | $2.76 21% lower than Calgary | $3.37 3% lower than Calgary | $3.50 | $3.32 5% lower than Calgary |
| White rice (1 lb) | $3.55 | $1.91 46% lower than Calgary | $2.29 35% lower than Calgary | $1.41 60% lower than Calgary | $2.90 18% lower than Calgary |
| Eggs (dozen) | $5.27 | $4.95 6% lower than Calgary | $4.98 6% lower than Calgary | $5.01 5% lower than Calgary | $5.82 10% higher than Calgary |
| Cheese (1 lb) | $7.29 | $6.97 4% lower than Calgary | $6.84 6% lower than Calgary | $5.98 18% lower than Calgary | $7.69 5% higher than Calgary |
| Chicken fillets (1 lb) | $7.29 | $7.26 | $7.61 4% higher than Calgary | $7.31 | $8.46 16% higher than Calgary |
| Beef (1 lb) | $11.77 | $11.99 2% higher than Calgary | $9.76 17% lower than Calgary | $9.34 21% lower than Calgary | $12.82 9% higher than Calgary |
| Apples (1 lb) | $3.04 | $2.70 11% lower than Calgary | $2.59 15% lower than Calgary | $2.35 23% lower than Calgary | $2.58 15% lower than Calgary |
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.91 | $0.88 3% lower than Calgary | $0.90 1% lower than Calgary | $0.76 16% lower than Calgary | $0.88 3% lower than Calgary |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.70 | $2.76 2% higher than Calgary | $2.45 9% lower than Calgary | $2.25 17% lower than Calgary | $2.49 8% lower than Calgary |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.50 | $2.56 2% higher than Calgary | $2.56 2% higher than Calgary | $2.67 7% higher than Calgary | $2.55 2% higher than Calgary |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.75 | $1.39 21% lower than Calgary | $1.68 4% lower than Calgary | $1.19 32% lower than Calgary | $1.73 1% lower than Calgary |
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.73 | $1.16 33% lower than Calgary | $1.59 8% lower than Calgary | $1.05 39% lower than Calgary | $1.84 6% higher than Calgary |
| Lettuce (head) | $3.65 | $3.40 7% lower than Calgary | $3.64 | $3.18 13% lower than Calgary | $3.61 1% lower than Calgary |
| Staples basket, one adult a month | $220 | $201 9% lower than Calgary | $208 5% lower than Calgary | $196 11% lower than Calgary | $228 4% higher than Calgary |
| Typical full grocery bill, one adult (basket x 2.14) | $471 | $429 9% lower than Calgary | $446 5% lower than Calgary | $420 11% lower than Calgary | $489 4% higher than Calgary |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | $22.00 | $16.00 27% lower than Calgary | $18.72 15% lower than Calgary | $20.00 9% lower than Calgary | $20.00 9% lower than Calgary |
| Domestic beer, store bought 16.9 oz | $3.42 | $4.96 45% higher than Calgary | $4.02 18% higher than Calgary | $3.09 10% lower than Calgary | $3.71 8% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo supermarket prices, October 2026. The staples basket is the quantity of each item above a single adult eats in a month. Staples are about half of a real cart, so the full grocery bill scales the basket by 2.14, calibrated to the $420 Toronto single-adult figure used on our city comparison guides.
Alberta groceries are not cheap: Calgary's staples basket is $220 and Edmonton's $201, against Canada's $208.
See also: grocery prices in Canada.
Transportation in Alberta
A monthly transit pass is $126 in Calgary and gasoline is $1.69 a litre. Edmonton is $102 for a pass and $1.61 a litre.
| Getting around | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single transit fare | $4.00 | $3.75 6% lower than Calgary | $3.50 13% lower than Calgary | $3.35 16% lower than Calgary | $3.50 13% lower than Calgary |
| Monthly pass | $126.00 | $102.00 19% lower than Calgary | $100.50 20% lower than Calgary | $156.00 24% higher than Calgary | $117.20 7% lower than Calgary |
| Taxi start | $4.50 | $4.10 9% lower than Calgary | $4.40 2% lower than Calgary | $4.25 6% lower than Calgary | $3.80 16% lower than Calgary |
| Taxi per mile | $3.09 | $3.11 1% higher than Calgary | $3.38 9% higher than Calgary | $2.82 9% lower than Calgary | $3.67 19% higher than Calgary |
| Gasoline per litre | $1.69 | $1.61 5% lower than Calgary | $1.70 1% higher than Calgary | $1.76 4% higher than Calgary | $2.00 18% higher than Calgary |
| New VW Golf or similar | $39,580 | $38,840 2% lower than Calgary | $39,000 1% lower than Calgary | $37,000 7% lower than Calgary | $39,000 1% lower than Calgary |
| New Toyota Corolla or similar | $29,685 | $28,955 2% lower than Calgary | $29,636 | $30,251 2% higher than Calgary | $30,009 1% higher than Calgary |
| Driving 1,000 km a month: fuel plus insurance | $294 | $287 2% lower than Calgary | — | $339 15% higher than Calgary | $347 18% higher than Calgary |
| Typical annual car insurance (published range; % uses the midpoint) | $1,500 to $1,900 | $1,500 to $1,900 | — | $1,700 to $2,650 28% higher than Calgary | $1,800 to $2,200 18% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo transport prices. Driving cost assumes 1,000 km a month at 9 L/100 km plus the midpoint of the typical annual insurance range, which is published as a range because sources disagree (WealthNorth, Rates.ca and others, 2025-2026) and depends on driver, vehicle and postal code. Excludes the car payment, parking and maintenance.
Gas is the cheapest in Canada: Edmonton $1.61 and Calgary $1.69 a litre. Insurance premiums rose about 22.6% year over year in Q2 2026 (Applied Systems), the sharpest of any province.
See also: transportation costs in Toronto.
Restaurants, coffee and drinks in Alberta
An inexpensive restaurant meal is $25.00 and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant is $99 in Calgary, against $28.00 and $108 in Edmonton. A pint is $7.00 and a cappuccino $5.30.
| Eating and drinking out | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $25.00 | $28.00 12% higher than Calgary | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Mid-range dinner for two, three courses | $99.01 | $108.00 9% higher than Calgary | $100.00 1% higher than Calgary | $110.00 11% higher than Calgary | $100.00 1% higher than Calgary |
| Fast-food combo | $15.00 | $14.00 7% lower than Calgary | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Pint of domestic draught | $7.00 | $8.12 16% higher than Calgary | $8.00 14% higher than Calgary | $9.00 29% higher than Calgary | $8.00 14% higher than Calgary |
| Imported beer, 12 oz | $8.00 | $9.00 13% higher than Calgary | $8.00 | $10.00 25% higher than Calgary | $9.00 13% higher than Calgary |
| Cappuccino | $5.30 | $5.51 4% higher than Calgary | $5.34 1% higher than Calgary | $5.70 8% higher than Calgary | $5.60 6% higher than Calgary |
| Soft drink, 12 oz | $2.78 | $3.25 17% higher than Calgary | $2.94 6% higher than Calgary | $2.94 6% higher than Calgary | $2.97 7% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo restaurant prices before tax and tip. Add provincial sales tax (5% to 15%) and a 15% to 20% tip on a sit-down meal.
Dinner for two is $99 in Calgary and $108 in Edmonton. Only 5% GST is added.
See also: restaurant prices in Vancouver.
Utilities, phone and internet in Alberta
Electricity, heat and water for a 915 sq ft apartment, a mobile plan and home internet come to $358 a month in Calgary, 22% less than Edmonton ($462).
| Monthly bills | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, heat, water, garbage (915 sq ft) | $231.39 | $323.41 40% higher than Calgary | $209.00 10% lower than Calgary | $171.96 26% lower than Calgary | $116.32 50% lower than Calgary |
| Mobile plan, 10GB or more | $54.42 | $61.65 13% higher than Calgary | $59.42 9% higher than Calgary | $46.20 15% lower than Calgary | $52.26 4% lower than Calgary |
| Home internet, 60 Mbps or more | $72.09 | $76.57 6% higher than Calgary | $83.69 16% higher than Calgary | $68.31 5% lower than Calgary | $73.59 2% higher than Calgary |
| Total | $357.90 | $461.63 29% higher than Calgary | $352.11 2% lower than Calgary | $286.47 20% lower than Calgary | $242.17 32% lower than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Utilities are Alberta's weak spot: $231 a month in Calgary and $323 in Edmonton against Canada's $209, because electricity and natural gas are deregulated.
See also: utility bills in Ontario.
Hotels and travel in Alberta
Alberta's hotels are cheaper than Toronto's or Vancouver's: Avison Young's 2025 average daily rate was about $188 in Calgary and $153 in Edmonton. Banff and Lake Louise sit well above both.
| Hotels | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily rate, latest published | $188 | $153 18% lower than Calgary | $258 37% higher than Calgary | $261 39% higher than Calgary | $284 51% higher than Calgary |
| Two-night weekend stay | $375 | $306 18% lower than Calgary | $516 37% higher than Calgary | $522 39% higher than Calgary | $568 51% higher than Calgary |
| Basis | 2025 full year, Avison Young | 2025 full year, Avison Young | National average, September 2026, CoStar | 2025 full year, Avison Young (August 2026 monthly: $308, CoStar) | 2025 full year, Avison Young (September 2026 monthly: $373, CoStar) |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average daily rate (ADR) is what hotels actually collect per occupied room across the whole market, not the cheapest listing, and the periods differ by city because published data does. Sources: Avison Young 2025 market review, CoStar (formerly STR) monthly releases, Destination Greater Victoria. Do not compare a 2025 average with a 2026 peak month.
The Stampede in July and peak mountain season in July and August are the expensive weeks.
See also: hotel rates in Calgary.
Movies, entertainment and things to do in Alberta
A new-release movie ticket is $20.00 in Calgary, a gym membership $70 a month, and a night out for two (dinner, two movies, two pints) about $153, compared with $159 in Edmonton.
| Leisure and shopping | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinema ticket, new release | $20.00 | $17.62 12% lower than Calgary | $16.00 20% lower than Calgary | $18.00 10% lower than Calgary | $17.50 13% lower than Calgary |
| Monthly gym membership | $70.42 | $60.92 13% lower than Calgary | $53.79 24% lower than Calgary | $51.59 27% lower than Calgary | $55.93 21% lower than Calgary |
| Tennis court, 1 hour on a weekend | $25.88 | $25.48 2% lower than Calgary | $27.20 5% higher than Calgary | $33.20 28% higher than Calgary | $17.59 32% lower than Calgary |
| Night out: dinner for two, two movie tickets, two pints | $153 | $159 4% higher than Calgary | $148 3% lower than Calgary | $164 7% higher than Calgary | $151 1% lower than Calgary |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar) | $82.13 | $61.90 25% lower than Calgary | $76.57 7% lower than Calgary | $74.21 10% lower than Calgary | $81.66 1% lower than Calgary |
| Summer dress, chain store | $56.38 | $65.38 16% higher than Calgary | $55.64 1% lower than Calgary | $56.33 | $46.87 17% lower than Calgary |
| Nike running shoes | $129.41 | $121.17 6% lower than Calgary | $123.36 5% lower than Calgary | $139.86 8% higher than Calgary | $134.00 4% higher than Calgary |
| Men's leather business shoes | $157.08 | $136.29 13% lower than Calgary | $144.63 8% lower than Calgary | $174.28 11% higher than Calgary | $134.65 14% lower than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Numbeo prices. Cinema is a standard adult seat for an international release; premium and online booking fees are extra. Prices for museums, parks, festivals and sport vary by season and event, so check the venue before you budget a day out.
Things to do in Alberta
- Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Jasper.
- Calgary Stampede and Edmonton's Fringe Festival.
- West Edmonton Mall and the North Saskatchewan River Valley.
- Kananaskis Country for hiking and skiing.
- Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
- Flames, Oilers, Stampeders and Elks.
A movie ticket is $20.00 in Calgary and $17.62 in Edmonton, and a gym is $70 and $61 a month.
See also: movie and entertainment prices in Edmonton.
Childcare, schools and raising a family in Alberta
Alberta regulated fees average about $15 a day. Private full-day preschool averages $779 a month in Calgary in Numbeo's sample, versus $896 in Edmonton; most families pay far less through regulated childcare.
| Family costs | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private full-day preschool, monthly | $779 | $896 15% higher than Calgary | $993 27% higher than Calgary | $1,051 35% higher than Calgary | $1,500 93% higher than Calgary |
| International primary school, yearly | $22,451 | $13,536 40% lower than Calgary | $20,417 9% lower than Calgary | $33,506 49% higher than Calgary | $28,653 28% higher than Calgary |
| 3 bedroom outside the centre, monthly | $2,340 | $2,018 14% lower than Calgary | $2,484 6% higher than Calgary | $3,015 29% higher than Calgary | $3,506 50% higher than Calgary |
| Family of four, monthly budget (no childcare or car) | $5,031 | $4,687 7% lower than Calgary | $4,992 1% lower than Calgary | $5,512 10% higher than Calgary | $6,040 20% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Private preschool and school fees are Numbeo samples. Most Canadian families use regulated childcare, whose fees are set by the province and are far lower than private preschool. Regulated fees: CCPA, The $10-a-day divide: child care fees in Canada in 2026.
Alberta's regulated childcare averages about $15 a day under the federal program.
See also: childcare costs in Canada.
Income tax, sales tax and take-home pay in Alberta
On a $100,000 salary a Alberta resident pays about $21,347 in federal and provincial income tax (21.3%), plus roughly $5,770 in CPP and EI, for take-home near $72,883.
| Salary | Alberta | Ontario | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax on $60,000 | $9,171 (15.3%) | $9,417 (15.7%) | $9,015 (15.0%) |
| Income tax on $100,000 | $21,347 (21.3%) | $21,521 (21.5%) | $20,295 (20.3%) |
| Income tax on $150,000 | $38,410 (25.6%) | $41,626 (27.8%) | $38,433 (25.6%) |
| Take-home on $100,000 after income tax, CPP and EI | $72,883 | $72,709 | $73,935 |
| Sales tax | 5% GST only | 13% HST | 5% GST + 7% PST |
2026 federal and provincial brackets, basic personal amount only, single filer on employment income. Ontario includes the surtax and Ontario Health Premium; Quebec includes the 16.5% federal abatement. CPP and EI are approximated at 2026 rates ($5,770 at $100,000) and are not deducted from the percentages. Quebec uses QPP and QPIP instead, so its take-home is not shown. Sources: CRA, KPMG, TaxTips.ca.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, no health premium and income tax of $21,347 on $100,000. The minimum wage is $15.00, the lowest in Canada.
See also: income tax in Toronto.
Average salary and minimum wage in Alberta
The average Alberta employee earned about $71,296 a year ($1,371.07 a week) in March 2026, and the minimum wage is $15.00 an hour (the lowest in Canada), or $31,200 a year full-time. After tax that minimum-wage worker keeps about $2,192 a month, against $3,014 for a modelled single budget even outside the centre, a shortfall of $822.
| Earnings | Calgary | Edmonton | Canada | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly earnings (province, March 2026) | $1,371.07 | $1,371.07 | $1,333.23 3% lower than Calgary | $1,368.71 | $1,348.36 2% lower than Calgary |
| Average yearly earnings (weekly x 52) | $71,296 | $71,296 | $69,328 3% lower than Calgary | $71,173 | $70,115 2% lower than Calgary |
| Average monthly net pay reported by Numbeo | $4,372 | $4,855 11% higher than Calgary | $4,221 3% lower than Calgary | $5,022 15% higher than Calgary | $5,132 17% higher than Calgary |
| Minimum wage per hour | $15.00 | $15.00 | $18.15 21% higher than Calgary | $17.95 20% higher than Calgary | $18.25 22% higher than Calgary |
| Full-time minimum wage, gross a year (2,080 hours) | $31,200 | $31,200 | $37,752 21% higher than Calgary | $37,336 20% higher than Calgary | $37,960 22% higher than Calgary |
| Hours of minimum-wage work to pay a city-centre 1 bedroom | 116 hours | 103 hours 11% lower than Calgary | 99 hours 14% lower than Calgary | 126 hours 9% higher than Calgary | 137 hours 19% higher than Calgary |
| Full-time minimum wage, take-home a month | $2,192 | $2,192 | $2,538 16% higher than Calgary | $2,515 15% higher than Calgary | $2,575 17% higher than Calgary |
Percentages show the gap from Calgary: red is higher, green is lower (flipped for pay lines).
Average weekly earnings: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll and Hours, March 2026 (all employees, including overtime, seasonally adjusted). These are means, so they run above what a typical worker earns; Statistics Canada’s city-level median is lower than the provincial mean. Minimum wages are the general adult rates in force on October 25, 2026 (Ontario $17.95 from October 1; verify before payroll decisions). The US and Australian minimums are converted at C$1 = US$0.702 and A$1.011; US states and some cities set higher rates. “Numbeo net pay” is a crowd-sourced sample.
See also: wages and minimum wage in Ontario.
Can you live in Alberta on your salary?
On $60,000 a year a single person in Calgary takes home about $3,874 a month. A city-centre one bedroom puts the modelled budget at $3,312, which leaves $562 (manageable). Moving outside the centre leaves $860 (comfortable). Adjust the calculator below to your own income, household and choices.
Household
Where you live
Getting around
Enter income as
Manageable in Calgary
You cover the budget and keep a small cushion, but a surprise bill would hurt. After tax you keep about $3,874 a month against a modelled budget of $3,312, which leaves $562.
Take-home pay
$3,874/mo
$9,171 income tax and $4,340 payroll deductions a year
Monthly budget
$3,312/mo
Rent, bills, food, transport, fun, family
Left over
$562/mo
Before saving, debt payments and travel
Where the money goes
- Rent$1,736
- Utilities, phone, internet$358
- Groceries$471
- Transit$126
- Eating and drinking out$284
- Gym and movies$130
- Clothing and shoes$47
- Dental, vision, prescriptions$60
- Household, subscriptions, personal care$100
Rent is 35% of gross income here, above the 30% guideline lenders and landlords use. To keep 15% of take-home after this budget in Calgary you would need roughly $61,000 a year.
How this works: take-home uses 2026 federal and provincial income tax plus CPP and EI (Quebec uses QPP and QPIP; the US figure adds Social Security, Medicare and a 4% state tax; Australia adds the Medicare levy). Couples and families are two equal earners. Expenses use October 2026 Numbeo prices with our assumptions for clothing, health costs ($60 an adult), household items, and a car financed over five years at 6%. It ignores the Canada Child Benefit, GST credit, RRSP deductions and employer benefits, so real take-home may be higher.
What each salary leaves you in Calgary
| Gross income | Take-home (single, monthly) | Single left over | Couple left over | Family left over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | $2,708 | -$604 (Not enough) | -$1,455 (Not enough) | -$2,905 (Not enough) |
| $50,000 a year | $3,295 | -$17 (Not enough) | -$832 (Not enough) | -$2,282 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | $3,874 | $562 (Manageable) | -$245 (Not enough) | -$1,695 (Not enough) |
| $75,000 a year | $4,659 | $1,347 (Comfortable) | $636 (Manageable) | -$814 (Not enough) |
| $100,000 a year | $6,074 | $2,762 (Comfortable) | $2,103 (Comfortable) | $653 (Manageable) |
| $150,000 a year | $8,818 | $5,506 (Comfortable) | $4,830 (Comfortable) | $3,380 (Comfortable) |
Left over is monthly take-home minus the modelled budget, before saving, debt payments and travel. Single: one-bedroom in the city centre. Couple: the figure is household income from two equal earners, one-bedroom in the centre. Family: household income from two earners, three-bedroom outside the centre, one child in regulated childcare. Everyone uses transit.
Can you live on $3,000 a month in Calgary?
Most searches for a monthly figure mean pay after tax. The table converts each monthly take-home into the gross salary that produces it in Calgary, then shows what a single person has left after rent in the centre or outside it.
| Monthly take-home | Gross salary needed | Left over, outside centre | Left over, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 a month | $36,447 | -$514 (Not enough) | -$812 (Not enough) |
| $3,000 a month | $44,968 | -$14 (Not enough) | -$312 (Not enough) |
| $3,500 a month | $53,489 | $486 (Manageable) | $188 (Manageable) |
| $4,000 a month | $62,401 | $986 (Comfortable) | $688 (Comfortable) |
| $5,000 a month | $81,246 | $1,986 (Comfortable) | $1,688 (Comfortable) |
See also: what a salary buys in Calgary.
What salary do you need to live in Alberta?
A single person in Calgary needs about $46,000 a year to break even outside the centre and about $61,000 to rent in the city centre and still keep 15% of take-home. A couple needs $78,000 in household income and a family of four $107,000.
| Gross salary needed | Calgary |
|---|---|
| Single, bare minimum (outside the centre, transit, break even) | $46,000 |
| Single, comfortable (city centre, transit, 15% left) | $61,000 |
| Single with a car (outside the centre, 15% left) | $72,000 |
| Couple, comfortable (household income, centre, transit, 15% left) | $78,000 |
| Family of four, comfortable (household income, outside the centre, one child in childcare, 15% left) | $107,000 |
| Rent at 30% of gross pay (single, centre one-bedroom) | $70,000 |
Gross pay before tax, rounded up to the nearest $1,000, from the same model as the calculator. “Comfortable” means 15% of after-tax income remains after the budget for saving, debt and travel. Couples and families assume two equal earners. A car adds a loan on a new compact (10% down, 6%, five years), fuel for 1,000 km a month, insurance and upkeep.
See also: salary needed in Edmonton.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Alberta?
$100,000 is about 140% of the alberta average of $71,296, which makes it above average in Calgary. A single person renting in the city centre on $100,000 keeps about $6,074 a month after tax and has $2,762 left over after the modelled budget (comfortable).
| Salary | Versus the alberta average | How it ranks | Single left over (centre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 a year | 56% of average | Below average | -$604 (Not enough) |
| $60,000 a year | 84% of average | Around average | $562 (Manageable) |
| $75,000 a year | 105% of average | Around average | $1,347 (Comfortable) |
| $100,000 a year | 140% of average | Above average | $2,762 (Comfortable) |
| $150,000 a year | 210% of average | High | $5,506 (Comfortable) |
| $200,000 a year | 281% of average | Very high | $8,019 (Comfortable) |
The average is a mean from Statistics Canada (provinces) or implied by Numbeo’s net pay (countries), so a typical worker earns less than it. A salary that is “good” against the average can still be tight for one person who rents downtown or for a family on a single income; use the calculator above for your own situation.
See also: salary benchmarks in Canada.
Why Alberta costs what it does
- Cheap land and a flexible housing market.
- No PST and the lowest personal tax rates.
- Deregulated utilities.
- Energy-driven wages.
- Distance from food suppliers.
Is Alberta right for your budget?
It suits you if
- You work in energy, engineering, finance or health.
- You want to buy a house.
- You like the outdoors.
Think twice if
- You want rent control.
- You are sensitive to utility bills.
- You prefer mild winters.
The bottom line
Alberta is the best-value province for housing and tax, but not for everything.
Budget for utilities and insurance, and Alberta's savings are real.