Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Blacksburg, VA

For one person, living costs are similar in Calgary and in Blacksburg, VA: $2,232 and $2,139 a month, rent and utilities included.

Calgary
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,232
/mo nomad
Blacksburg, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,139
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Calgary and in Blacksburg, VA

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 Blacksburg, VA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,232 per month in Calgary vs $2,139 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

  • Calgary $2,232
  • Blacksburg, VA $2,139

A couple spends around $3,363 per month in Calgary vs $3,219 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

  • Calgary $3,363
  • Blacksburg, VA $3,219

A family of three spends $4,493 per month in Calgary vs $4,299 in Blacksburg, VA, rent included.

  • Calgary $4,493
  • Blacksburg, VA $4,299

Calgary costs about 4% more than Blacksburg, VA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Calgary and Blacksburg, VA sit above the global median – Calgary by 67%, Blacksburg, VA by 60%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.22 CA$24.54
$17.23 $17.23
-0.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.2 CA$101
$64.5 $64.5
10.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.56 CA$15.06
$8.64 $8.64
22.22%
Cappuccino
$3.77 CA$5.38
$5.02 $5.02
-24.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91 CA$2.73
$2.48 $2.48
-22.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 CA$2.63
$1.90 $1.90
-3.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.86 CA$6.93
$5.97 $5.97
-18.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.55 CA$7.91
$7.82 $7.82
-29.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.88 CA$2.68
$1.01 $1.01
86.14%
White Bread (500g)
$2.73 CA$3.89
$3.54 $3.54
-22.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.34 CA$7.61
$4.20 $4.20
27.14%
Eggs
$3.77 CA$5.37
$4.08 $4.08
-7.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.29 CA$16.09
$16.49 $16.49
-31.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.46 CA$16.34
$11.35 $11.35
0.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.26 CA$26.03
$7.09 $7.09
157.55%
Apples (1kg)
$4.64 CA$6.62
$4.06 $4.06
14.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 CA$2.05
$1.56 $1.56
-7.69%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.22 CA$6.02
$4.19 $4.19
0.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.86 CA$5.50
$4.75 $4.75
-18.74%
Potato (1kg)
$2.62 CA$3.74
$2.37 $2.37
10.55%
Onion (1kg)
$2.66 CA$3.79
$2.17 $2.17
22.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.59 CA$3.69
$1.96 $1.96
32.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 CA$2.19
$2.06 $2.06
-25.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.26 CA$20.32
$7.74 $7.74
84.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.27 CA$21.76
$15.05 $15.05
1.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.41 CA$3.44
$1.75 $1.75
37.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 CA$4.41
$4.55 $4.55
-32.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.88 CA$4.11
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.7 CA$126
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 CA$4.61
$4.57 $4.57
-29.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.38 CA$1.97
$3.10 $3.10
-55.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.49 CA$37.75
$12.19 $12.19
117.31%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 CA$1.68
$0.88 $0.88
34.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3K CA$40.3K
$25.1K $25.1K
12.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K CA$29.5K
$23.9K $23.9K
-13.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$159 CA$227
$151 $151
5.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.61 CA$53.6
$32.88 $32.88
14.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.68 CA$70.8
$98.8 $98.8
-49.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.3 CA$75.9
$39.54 $39.54
34.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.31 CA$26.10
$10.12 $10.12
80.93%
Cinema Ticket
$14.08 CA$20.06
$13.01 $13.01
8.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$809 CA$1,154
$868 $868
-6.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K CA$22.6K
$52.9K $52.9K
-70.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.8 CA$83.8
$30.53 $30.53
92.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.84 CA$55.4
$30.09 $30.09
29.08%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.4 CA$130
$61.5 $61.5
48.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 CA$155
$75.6 $75.6
44.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,237 CA$1,764
$1,302 $1,302
-4.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$996 CA$1,420
$1,068 $1,068
-6.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,908 CA$2,720
$2,267 $2,267
-15.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,671 CA$2,382
$1,969 $1,969
-15.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,530 CA$5,032
$2,062 $2,062
71.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,336 CA$4,755
$2,088 $2,088
59.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Blacksburg, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,130 CA$4,461
$4,127 $4,127
-24.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.51
6.2
-27.26%

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

Last update for Calgary: October 3, 2026

Last update for Blacksburg, VA: October 4, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Calgary
$996
Blacksburg, VA
$1.1K 7.2% $72
Groceries & Markets
Calgary
$387
Blacksburg, VA
$368 4.9% $19
Eating Out
Calgary
$265
Blacksburg, VA
$287 8.3% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
$247
Blacksburg, VA
$283 14.8% $36
Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
$134
Blacksburg, VA
$89 33.7% $45
Getting Around
Calgary
$110
Blacksburg, VA
$20 * 81.8% $90
Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
$81
Blacksburg, VA
$66 19.5% $16

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,237 in Calgary versus $1,302 in Blacksburg, VA. 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 32% higher in Blacksburg, VA, 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 $71.0 in Calgary versus $64.0 in Blacksburg, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $387 vs $368 – making Blacksburg, VA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Calgary
🇺🇸 Blacksburg, VA
🕒 Local time
08:27 8:27 AM
10:27 10:27 AM
2 h ahead of Calgary
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,267,344
44,826
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 CAD (1 CAD = 0.702 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.626 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Calgary Blacksburg, VA 3,050 km ≈ 4 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Calgary
  • Blacksburg, VA

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 Blacksburg, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Calgary and in Blacksburg, VA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,232 in Calgary, $2,139 in Blacksburg, VA – roughly 4% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Calgary compared to Blacksburg, VA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,349 per month in Calgary and $3,209 in Blacksburg, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Calgary and Blacksburg, VA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Blacksburg, VA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Calgary or Blacksburg, VA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,232 in Calgary and $2,139 in Blacksburg, VA. That's a gap of about 4%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Calgary and Blacksburg, VA?
Kindergarten costs $809 per month in Calgary and $868 in Blacksburg, VA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Blacksburg, VA, where all-in costs run around $2,139, than in Calgary at $2,232. In Blacksburg, VA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Calgary it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Calgary or Blacksburg, VA?
Families tend to lean toward Blacksburg, VA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Calgary and Blacksburg, VA?
If budget matters most, go with Blacksburg, VA. 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.

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