City vs city

Calgary vs Edmonton

Calgary is bigger (1,836,012 vs 1,692,385). Calgary has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($1,908 vs $1,598). Calgary has higher median household income ($100,000 vs $96,000). Calgary has milder winters, with January averaging (-7.1°C vs -11.1°C). Calgary has longer commutes (24.2 min vs 23.9 min).

CalgaryEdmonton
People
Population (latest est.)1,836,0121,692,385
Growth since 2021+19.2%+14.9%
Median age38.037.6
Immigrants31.5%26.0%
Speak English & French6.6%6.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64)41.2%31.8%
Money
Median household income$100,000$96,000
Unemployment rate6.4%7.6%
Inflation (CPI, 12 months)+3.4%+3.5%
Housing
Avg. 1-bedroom rent$1,581$1,301
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$1,908$1,598
Rent change, 5 years+44.5%+25.8%
Vacancy rate5.0%3.9%
Median home value$460,000$400,000
Homeowners70.5%68.7%
Spend 30%+ on housing22.5%22.5%
Getting around
Average commute24.2 min23.9 min
Take transit7.9%6.1%
Walk or bike4.9%4.0%
Safety
Crime Severity Index61.795.5
Climate
January average-7.1°C-11.1°C
July daily high23.1°C23.5°C
Snow per year129 cm122 cm
Precipitation per year419 mm508 mm

Green marks the generally more favourable value where one exists. Census figures are from 2021; rent, jobs, prices and population are the latest releases.

Average temperature by month

-14°-6°3°11°20°JanMarMayJulSep
CalgaryEdmonton

Two-bedroom rent over time

$1,133$1,347$1,562$1,777$1,99120152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
CalgaryEdmonton