😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,344 in Calgary versus $2,029 in Moncton.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,470 in Calgary versus $3,034 in Moncton.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,597 in Calgary versus $4,038 in Moncton.
🌍Living in Calgary is roughly 16% more expensive than in Moncton, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary71% above, Moncton48% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.68CA$24.74
$18.85CA$26.37
-6.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.2CA$99.6
$69.4CA$97.1
2.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.85CA$15.18
$10.87CA$15.21
-0.18%
Cappuccino
$3.85CA$5.39
$3.56CA$4.98
8.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.73
$2.00CA$2.80
-2.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79CA$2.51
$1.90CA$2.66
-5.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.97CA$6.95
$4.48CA$6.26
10.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90CA$8.25
$5.80CA$8.11
1.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.84CA$2.58
$2.95CA$4.12
-37.63%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73CA$3.82
$2.75CA$3.84
-0.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.44CA$7.60
$3.55CA$4.96
53.24%
Eggs
$3.63CA$5.07
$3.87CA$5.41
-6.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.55CA$16.15
$13.58CA$18.99
-14.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.57CA$16.19
$10.80CA$15.10
7.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.94CA$26.50
$13.58CA$19.00
39.47%
Apples(1kg)
$4.95CA$6.92
$5.75CA$8.05
-13.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42CA$1.98
$1.61CA$2.25
-11.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.22CA$5.90
$4.87CA$6.81
-13.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.09CA$5.72
$5.99CA$8.37
-31.72%
Potato(1kg)
$2.56CA$3.58
$2.02CA$2.83
26.73%
Onion(1kg)
$2.82CA$3.95
$2.15CA$3.01
31.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57CA$3.59
$2.56CA$3.59
0.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.55CA$2.16
$2.13CA$2.98
-27.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.59CA$20.41
$14.35CA$20.07
1.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.60CA$21.83
$14.60CA$20.42
6.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58CA$3.61
$3.46CA$4.84
-25.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23CA$4.52
$4.01CA$5.62
-19.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.96CA$4.14
$2.21CA$3.09
33.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$91.1CA$127
$51.0CA$71.3
78.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.17CA$4.43
$2.95CA$4.12
7.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39CA$1.95
$1.40CA$1.96
-0.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.67CA$38.70
$21.48CA$30.06
28.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25CA$1.75
$1.16CA$1.62
7.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCA$39.6K
$28.1KCA$39.4K
0.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCA$29.8K
$19.3KCA$27.0K
10.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178CA$249
$126CA$176
41.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.31CA$55.0
$42.64CA$59.7
-7.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.9CA$71.2
$66.5CA$93.0
-23.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.7CA$76.5
$50.4CA$70.5
8.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.77CA$26.25
$11.42CA$15.98
64.36%
Cinema Ticket
$14.55CA$20.36
$12.87CA$18.01
13.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$812CA$1,135
$385CA$538
110.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4KCA$23.0K
$13.5KCA$18.9K
21.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.4CA$83.1
$60.9CA$85.2
-2.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33CA$56.4
$36.25CA$50.7
11.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2CA$129
$105CA$147
-12.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113CA$158
$120CA$168
-5.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284CA$1,796
$1,057CA$1,478
21.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,018CA$1,424
$821CA$1,149
23.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,977CA$2,766
$1,609CA$2,251
22.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,746CA$2,443
$1,362CA$1,905
28.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,571CA$4,995
$2,203CA$3,081
62.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,359CA$4,698
$2,091CA$2,926
60.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Moncton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,213CA$4,495
$2,513CA$3,516
27.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.48
4.6
-2.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calgary: September 12, 2026
Last update for Moncton: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,284 in Calgary and $1,057 in Moncton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 28% 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: $71.0 in Calgary vs $69.0 in Moncton. Groceries flip the comparison at $395 vs $411, with Calgary 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 Moncton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moncton cheaper than Calgary?
Moncton is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 16% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Moncton?
Average pay runs 28% higher in Calgary, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Calgary and Moncton?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,284 in Calgary versus $1,057 in Moncton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Moncton?
Dining out is cheaper in Moncton – a meal for two runs $69.0 versus $71.0 in Calgary. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Calgary and in Moncton?
All in, you'll spend $2,344 per month in Calgary versus $2,029 in Moncton – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for living in Calgary or in Moncton?
At $2,029 in Moncton versus $2,344 in Calgary, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Moncton but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Moncton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in Moncton?
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 Moncton?
Safety-wise, Calgary and Moncton 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 Moncton gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.