Cost of Living in Calgary Canada – Summary of Expenses

The place rose economically thanks to its natural resources and the booming oil industry. Today it is the second Canadian center with most corporate headquarters, and first when it comes to the number of millionaires per capita. It attracts people economically because its job market is ever-increasing, and it belongs to one of the few provinces with no provincial sales tax. However, it is also heavily dependent on its primary industry, and the whole place faces periods of severe recession when it declines.

Is Calgary a Good Place to Live? What Is the Average Salary in the City?

When you start thinking about how to move to another country and moving to Calgary, one of the first questions that come to mind is the median wage. If you are wondering – How much do you need to make to live in Calgary, salaries range from 25,000 USD –  440,000 USD per year. The average annual salary is around 92,500 USD, according to the Salaryexplorer. Bear in mind that the answer to the question – What is a good salary in Calgary varies by profession and hourly rates differ considerably in some sectors.

Calgary Cost of Living

Adjusting to a new country entails understanding the consumer habits of people in the new home. If you’re relocating from abroad, it would be wise to compare the cost of living in Canada to the numbers in your place so that you know how to plan your expenditure and start thinking about how to live in another country. If you want to buy new things, make sure you check out the costs before deciding what to pack when moving abroad. Read on to find out more about the major expenses.

Housing Costs – Living at Your Own Place

Regardless of whether you’re moving to another country for love or employee relocation, adequate, affordable housing should be your top priority. If you’re asking yourself the question – is it expensive to live in Calgary, Canada, the good news is that buying an apartment there is three times cheaper than doing the same in Toronto, according to Numbeo. For an apartment in the downtown core, you’ll need approximately 3,000 USD per square meter. In contrast, this price will drop significantly if you’re not picky about the location and will go as low as 2,200 USD  per square meter outside the center, according to the same source. If you’re thinking of making a home away from home in the Great White North and moving internationally is your permanent decision, the C-town is an option not to be overlooked.

Renting an Apartment

Still, if you are moving abroad alone and you’d like to rent an apartment, there are numerous options to choose from. Renting expenses vary depending on the location, size of the apartment, and interior design. According to Numbeo, you can rent a one-bedroom studio for 925 USD monthly in the downtown core or find a less expensive alternative in another area. Besides, if you’re moving with pets, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a place to live for a month or two since this place is extremely pet-friendly.

What About Transportation?

Alberta’s largest center is one of the best cities in the world for drivers, according to a survey. So, international car shipping is most likely the right decision in this case. If you plan to take your car with you when moving overseas, make sure you include gas in your budget. Gas is approximately 0,77 USD per ¼ gallon, according to Expatistan. In case you’d like to use public transport while you’re exploring new places, prepare to give around 77 USD for a monthly pass. If you’re moving with dogs, you’ll love it here since they can ride all buses and trains for free, provided they are leashed.

Food Cost

Moving overseas often makes you miss dishes from your old country, but there’s no way you won’t find your new favorite here. This place is known for its hip markets, where one can find tasty food year-round. And, if you’re not in the mood for this or you’re still busy with tasks from your moving abroad checklist, there are many major supermarkets as well as small local shops. As the food is concerned, the bill for your groceries will be almost the same as for those moving to Toronto, but 15% lower than it would be in LA, according to Expatistan. If you’d like to know more about grocery shopping prices in Stampede city, take a look at the following video.

Personal Expenses

Personal expenses make a lot of people wonder how to move overseas and cover health-care, education, and free-time activities. The Great White North is considered to be a welfare state, so its residents are covered in terms of health and education to a large degree.

Health-Care

Due to Canada’s universal healthcare system, available both for citizens and permanent residents, most health services are free of charge. You can also obtain private insurance for services or medication not included in this plan or while you’re waiting for the health card, which might take up from 1 month to 3 months. In case you’re not covered, a short visit to a private doctor will set you back around 50 USD, so make sure you take care of this on time.

Education in Calgary

If you’re moving to Canada with kids, you’ll be happy to know that most public schools are free. Alberta’s largest city boasts some highly ranked primary and secondary schools. It is also home to the renowned University of Calgary, which offers undergraduate programs, graduate programs, professional and continuing education. The cost of education differs depending on the chosen program, but it is possible to finance it with numerous government and private scholarships and loans.

Free Time Activities Costs

One of the friendliest countries in the world won’t disappoint you when it comes to leisure activities, and Stampede Town is a prime example of the country’s outgoing lifestyle. Alongside numerous shopping opportunities, you can enjoy a flourishing cultural and nightlife scene. The amount of money you’ll spend on entertainment is similar to those in Toronto and 30% lower than in New York.

Enjoying Shopping

Shopping in Calgary suits everyone’s taste. There are shopping districts and malls galore in the city, so you shouldn’t panic if you have the where to start packing to move dilemma or don’t know how to pack shoes for moving because there’s no more room in the suitcase. To buy them, you’ll need between 77 and 125 USD plus an additional 50 if you want to purchase matching jeans.

We Hope You’ll Find Your Kind of Entertainment

Whether you’re moving across the world or locally, entertainment likely ranks high on your list when deciding where to move. Regardless if you prefer watching a movie, dining out, or even hitting the clubs, this place won’t fall short of your expectations. Prices are similar to Toronto but considerably cheaper than in the large US cities such as New York and LA.

Prices in Canada – Cost of Living in Toronto vs. Calgary

Though Toronto is located in the province of Ontario at the other end of the country, it is one of the most popular Canadian cities for moving abroad. With its booming job market and cityscapes, it is one of Canada’s major landmarks. But, living in Toronto comes at a price. Toronto’s cost of living is 16% higher than that of Alberta’s largest city, with costs in all areas being more expensive, except for food.

Is It Expensive to Live in Alberta? Housing Expenses and More

According to all the key ratios, Canada is generally seen as one of the best places to live abroad with family due to its good performance. Alberta is not only a place where you won’t have to worry about breaking the language barrier, but it is also quite affordable. The province’s capital Edmonton is also attractive and slightly less expensive. Housing prices in the two centers are almost the same, as well as food, while transportation is 9% more costly in Cowtown. The most significant difference is visible in entertainment, which amounts to nearly 20% less in Edmonton. Overall, the cost of living Calgary is 6% more expensive than in Edmonton, according to Expatistan. Still, there’s no accounting for taste, and both cities offer a broad spectrum of services at a comparable price.

Costs of International Moving to the Great White North

How much you’ll spend on international moving varies depending on the international moving company you choose as well as the type of services you need. Consider if you need overseas vehicle shipping or oversized freight services. If you are unsure how to pack valuable items like moving jewelry, you can have packing services or custom crating arranged.

The company you choose will provide boxes and moving supplies and find the best way to move your items. However, if you need to find clean, spacious storage to put your belongings before relocation, you can have it arranged too. The final price will depend on the size of your move, distance, as well as the additional services you require, but the best way to find it out is to schedule a free survey with your international mover. Make sure to find a reliable international moving company to make your experience of moving internationally a walk in the park.

Don’t Let Cost of Living in Calgary Stop You From Moving Internationally

If you are still apprehensive about moving internationally and worry you won’t get the documents needed to travel abroad or you won’t know how to keep in touch with friends, sit back and relax. It is completely normal to feel this way, and many people do when faced with long-distance moving. These transitions require time, but if you manage to find affordable housing and education opportunities alongside diverse free-time activities and delicious food, it will be a time well spent. Summaries of expenses like this one can help you get a clearer picture of prices. Still, once you move internationally to Canada and its Stampede City, you’ll set your own spending dynamic and priorities. And bear in mind that the price can change and fluctuate as cities gain or lose economic prominence.