💸 Cost of living · Alberta
Cost of living in Calgary 2026
Renting a two-bedroom apartment in Calgary costs about $1,908 a month (CMHC, October 2025). That is about 23% of the median household income of $100,000.
2-bedroom rent$1,908CMHC, Oct 2025
1-bedroom rent$1,581
Median household income$100,0002020, before tax
Rent as share of income23%2-bedroom × 12 ÷ median income
Regular gas167.3¢/LCalgary
Inflation+3.4%Calgary
Owners' monthly costs$1,740median, 2021
Median home value$460,0002021 Census
Rent by apartment size
Grocery prices in Alberta
| Eggs, 1 dozen | $5.19 |
| Milk, 4 litres | $6.61 |
| White bread, 675 grams | $3.61 |
| Ground beef, per kilogram | $18.19 |
| Chicken breasts, per kilogram | $15.55 |
| Bananas, per kilogram | $2.08 |
| Roasted or ground coffee, 340 grams | $9.21 |
| Butter, 454 grams | $5.83 |
Sources: CMHC Rental Market Survey; Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0245-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0001-01; Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0004-01
FAQ
Questions
What is the cost of living in Calgary?
In Calgary, the average two-bedroom rent is $1,908 a month and a one-bedroom is $1,581 (CMHC, October 2025). The median household income is $100,000 (2021 Census). Regular gas costs about 167.3¢ a litre.
How much do you need to live in Calgary?
A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of income on housing. At $1,908 a month for a two-bedroom, that means a household income of about $76,320 a year.