Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Mississauga Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Mississauga

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,462 in Calgary versus $2,815 in Mississauga.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,628 in Calgary versus $3,983 in Mississauga.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,795 in Calgary versus $5,150 in Mississauga.

Living in Calgary costs roughly 13% less than in Mississauga, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary 84% above, Mississauga 111% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.33 CA$25.70
$18.07 CA$25.33
1.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9 CA$98.0
$80.7 CA$113
-13.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.95 CA$15.35
$11.08 CA$15.53
-1.17%
Cappuccino
$3.74 CA$5.24
$4.11 CA$5.77
-9.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04 CA$2.86
$1.62 CA$2.28
25.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 CA$2.34
$1.53 CA$2.15
9.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.20 CA$7.29
$6.03 CA$8.45
-13.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.71 CA$9.41
$6.05 CA$8.48
10.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.25 CA$3.15
$2.31 CA$3.24
-2.60%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.85
$2.47 CA$3.46
11.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.23 CA$4.53
$2.79 CA$3.92
15.77%
Eggs
$3.45 CA$4.83
$3.77 CA$5.28
-8.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.40 CA$20.19
$14.15 CA$19.84
1.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.89 CA$18.07
$11.27 CA$15.81
14.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.86 CA$22.24
$14.56 CA$20.41
8.93%
Apples (1kg)
$4.30 CA$6.02
$3.42 CA$4.80
25.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.34 CA$1.88
$1.22 CA$1.71
9.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.85 CA$5.40
$2.95 CA$4.14
30.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.25 CA$5.97
$3.51 CA$4.93
21.08%
Potato (1kg)
$2.55 CA$3.57
$1.58 CA$2.21
61.39%
Onion (1kg)
$2.62 CA$3.68
$2.58 CA$3.61
1.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.80 CA$3.92
$1.88 CA$2.63
48.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 CA$2.73
$1.65 CA$2.31
18.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.97 CA$20.99
$12.21 CA$17.12
22.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.90 CA$19.49
$12.86 CA$18.03
8.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 CA$4.10
$2.51 CA$3.52
16.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91 CA$5.48
$2.60 CA$3.65
50.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.74 CA$3.84
$3.00 CA$4.21
-8.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$87.8 CA$123
$96.5 CA$135
-9.01%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.60 CA$5.04
$3.06 CA$4.29
17.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.30 CA$1.82
$1.25 CA$1.75
4.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.70 CA$40.24
$22.48 CA$31.51
27.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 CA$1.57
$1.14 CA$1.59
-1.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K CA$35.7K
$24.9K CA$34.9K
2.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K CA$30.5K
$21.0K CA$29.4K
3.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$213 CA$299
$176 CA$246
21.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.96 CA$57.4
$42.67 CA$59.8
-4.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.9 CA$81.2
$52.1 CA$73.1
11.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.2 CA$76.0
$45.24 CA$63.4
19.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.8 CA$75.4
$23.19 CA$32.51
131.78%
Cinema Ticket
$12.63 CA$17.71
$14.02 CA$19.65
-9.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$874 CA$1,226
$427 CA$598
104.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K CA$22.3K
$11.1K CA$15.5K
43.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.6 CA$82.2
$45.78 CA$64.2
28.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.01 CA$65.9
$44.10 CA$61.8
6.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.1 CA$119
$86.4 CA$121
-1.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 CA$151
$104 CA$146
3.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,380 CA$1,935
$1,898 CA$2,660
-27.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,159 CA$1,625
$1,616 CA$2,265
-28.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,324 CA$3,259
$2,646 CA$3,710
-12.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,905 CA$2,670
$2,351 CA$3,297
-19.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,786 CA$5,308
$7,740 CA$10.9K
-51.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,511 CA$4,922
$6,280 CA$8,804
-44.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Mississauga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,940 CA$4,121
$3,071 CA$4,305
-4.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.71
6.08
-6.09%

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

Last update for Calgary: July 13, 2026

Last update for Mississauga: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,380 in Calgary and $1,898 in Mississauga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mississauga pays 4% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $70.0 in Calgary vs $81.0 in Mississauga. Groceries flip the comparison at $396 vs $351, with Mississauga cheaper for home cooking.

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 Mississauga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mississauga cheaper than Calgary?
Calgary is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Getting Around. The 14% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Mississauga?
On paper, salaries run 4% lower in Mississauga. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Calgary and Mississauga?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,380 in Calgary versus $1,898 in Mississauga. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Mississauga?
Dining out is cheaper in Calgary – a meal for two runs $70.0 versus $81.0 in Mississauga. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Calgary and in Mississauga?
All in, you'll spend $2,462 per month in Calgary versus $2,815 in Mississauga – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Calgary or in Mississauga?
At $2,462 in Calgary versus $2,815 in Mississauga, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Calgary but tight or insufficient in Mississauga. The gap between the two cities makes Calgary the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in Mississauga?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Calgary or Mississauga?
Safety-wise, Calgary and Mississauga are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Calgary gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Mississauga. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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