Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Athens, TN

For one person, living is cheaper in Athens, TN: $2,061 a month against $2,255 in Calgary, rent and utilities included – about $2,300 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Calgary outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Calgary
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,255
/mo nomad
Athens, TN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,061
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Calgary and in Athens, TN

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Calgary and in Athens, TN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,255 per month in Calgary vs $2,061 in Athens, TN, rent included.

  • Calgary $2,255
  • Athens, TN $2,061

A couple spends around $3,361 per month in Calgary vs $3,191 in Athens, TN, rent included.

  • Calgary $3,361
  • Athens, TN $3,191

A family of three spends $4,468 per month in Calgary vs $4,320 in Athens, TN, rent included.

  • Calgary $4,468
  • Athens, TN $4,320

Calgary costs about 9% more than Athens, TN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Calgary and Athens, TN sit above the global median – Calgary by 66%, Athens, TN by 52%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.58 CA$24.85
$30.18 $30.18
-41.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.1 CA$97.6
$109 $109
-36.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.59 CA$14.97
$11.76 $11.76
-9.95%
Cappuccino
$3.84 CA$5.42
$5.64 $5.64
-31.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 CA$2.72
$2.70 $2.70
-28.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 CA$2.66
$2.09 $2.09
-10.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.09 CA$7.20
$6.82 $6.82
-25.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.64 CA$7.97
$7.86 $7.86
-28.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.00 CA$2.82
$0.88 $0.88
127.27%
White Bread (500g)
$2.78 CA$3.93
$2.57 $2.57
8.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.59 CA$7.90
$3.43 $3.43
62.97%
Eggs
$3.70 CA$5.23
$4.84 $4.84
-23.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.48 CA$16.23
$13.56 $13.56
-15.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.20 CA$15.84
$6.40 $6.40
75.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.59 CA$26.28
$19.74 $19.74
-5.83%
Apples (1kg)
$4.70 CA$6.64
$5.95 $5.95
-21.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.05
$1.46 $1.46
-0.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.34 CA$6.13
$6.08 $6.08
-28.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.79 CA$5.36
$5.22 $5.22
-27.39%
Potato (1kg)
$2.69 CA$3.81
$3.73 $3.73
-27.88%
Onion (1kg)
$2.75 CA$3.88
$2.66 $2.66
3.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.56 CA$3.62
$2.25 $2.25
13.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.12
$1.67 $1.67
-10.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.39 CA$20.34
$6.98 $6.98
106.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.81 CA$22.35
$14.93 $14.93
5.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.47 CA$3.49
$1.93 $1.93
27.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 CA$4.39
$4.90 $4.90
-36.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.81 CA$3.97
$2.30 $2.30
22.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$90.6 CA$128
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.28 CA$4.64
$3.52 $3.52
-6.82%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.40 CA$1.97
$1.46 $1.46
-4.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.49 CA$37.45
$24.41 $24.41
8.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 CA$1.72
$0.93 $0.93
31.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4K CA$40.1K
$36.8K $36.8K
-22.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K CA$29.5K
$26.8K $26.8K
-22.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 CA$233
$219 $219
-24.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.24 CA$54.1
$70.0 $70.0
-45.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.1 CA$70.9
$56.0 $56.0
-10.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.8 CA$76.1
$45.44 $45.44
18.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.04 CA$25.51
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 CA$19.84
$7.88 $7.88
78.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 CA$1,126
$1,820 $1,820
-56.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K CA$22.3K
$22.3K $22.3K
-29.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.1 CA$83.5
$53.5 $53.5
10.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.20 CA$56.8
$45.57 $45.57
-11.78%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.8 CA$128
$96.8 $96.8
-6.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 CA$155
$110 $110
-0.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,207 CA$1,707
$855 $855
41.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,011 CA$1,429
$701 $701
44.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,949 CA$2,756
$1,458 $1,458
33.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,677 CA$2,371
$1,147 $1,147
46.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,532 CA$4,993
$2,706 $2,706
30.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,392 CA$4,795
$2,409 $2,409
40.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Athens, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,152 CA$4,456
$8,472 $8,472
-62.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.51
6.54
-31.04%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Calgary: October 18, 2026

Last update for Athens, TN: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Calgary
$1K
Athens, TN
$701 30.7% $310
Groceries & Markets
Calgary
$392
Athens, TN
$383 2.1% $8.4
Eating Out
Calgary
$270
Athens, TN
$413 52.9% $143
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
$253
Athens, TN
$345 36.5% $92
Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
$135
Athens, TN
$137 2% $2.7
Getting Around
Calgary
$112
Athens, TN
$20 * 82.2% $92
Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
$82
Athens, TN
$61 25.3% $21

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,207 in Calgary versus $855 in Athens, TN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 169% higher in Athens, TN, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Calgary versus $109 in Athens, TN. Groceries tell a different story – $392 in Calgary vs $383 in Athens, TN – so Athens, TN wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Calgary
🇺🇸 Athens, TN
🕒 Local time
08:43 8:43 AM
10:43 10:43 AM
2 h ahead of Calgary
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,267,344
115,452
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Calgary Athens, TN 2,920 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Calgary
  • Athens, TN

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Calgary vs Athens, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Calgary or Athens, TN?
Calgary costs about 9% more than Athens, TN, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Calgary and in Athens, TN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,382 per month in Calgary and $3,092 in Athens, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Calgary or Athens, TN?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Athens, TN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Calgary and in Athens, TN?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Calgary and $109 in Athens, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Calgary or in Athens, TN?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Calgary, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Calgary or in Athens, TN?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Athens, TN, where all-in costs run around $2,061, than in Calgary at $2,255. In Athens, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Calgary it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Athens, TN – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Calgary or to Athens, TN?
If budget matters most, go with Athens, TN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Calgary makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Calgary vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?