😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,344 in Calgary versus $1,423 in North Battleford.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,470 in Calgary versus $2,072 in North Battleford.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,597 in Calgary versus $2,720 in North Battleford.
🌍Living in Calgary is roughly 65% more expensive than in North Battleford, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary71% above, North Battleford4% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.68CA$24.73
$18.05CA$25.25
-2.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.2CA$99.6
$44.59CA$62.4
59.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.85CA$15.18
$9.57CA$13.39
13.38%
Cappuccino
$3.85CA$5.39
$3.62CA$5.06
6.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.73
$2.03CA$2.84
-3.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79CA$2.51
$1.29CA$1.80
38.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.97CA$6.95
$4.37CA$6.11
13.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90CA$8.25
$6.38CA$8.92
-7.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.84CA$2.58
$1.94CA$2.71
-5.15%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73CA$3.82
$2.27CA$3.18
20.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.44CA$7.60
$3.97CA$5.55
37.03%
Eggs
$3.63CA$5.07
$2.75CA$3.85
32.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.55CA$16.15
$7.87CA$11.01
46.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.57CA$16.19
$11.68CA$16.34
-0.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.94CA$26.50
$13.05CA$18.26
45.13%
Apples(1kg)
$4.95CA$6.92
$3.41CA$4.78
45.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.42CA$1.98
$1.15CA$1.61
23.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.22CA$5.90
$2.88CA$4.02
46.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.09CA$5.71
$1.42CA$1.98
188.03%
Potato(1kg)
$2.56CA$3.58
$2.03CA$2.84
26.11%
Onion(1kg)
$2.82CA$3.95
$1.73CA$2.42
63.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57CA$3.59
$1.01CA$1.41
154.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.55CA$2.16
$0.94CA$1.32
64.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.59CA$20.40
$8.63CA$12.07
69.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.60CA$21.83
$9.87CA$13.80
58.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58CA$3.61
$2.89CA$4.04
-10.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23CA$4.52
$3.49CA$4.88
-7.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.96CA$4.14
$2.22CA$3.10
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$91.1CA$127
$37.67CA$52.7
141.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.17CA$4.43
$3.18CA$4.45
-0.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39CA$1.95
$0.75CA$1.05
85.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.67CA$38.70
$14.50CA$20.27
90.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25CA$1.75
$1.14CA$1.60
9.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCA$39.6K
$18.2KCA$25.5K
55.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCA$29.8K
$21.1KCA$29.5K
0.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178CA$249
$198CA$276
-10.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.31CA$55.0
$49.39CA$69.1
-20.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.9CA$71.2
$61.9CA$86.6
-17.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.7CA$76.5
$21.51CA$30.09
154.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.77CA$26.25
$14.16CA$19.80
32.56%
Cinema Ticket
$14.55CA$20.36
$8.29CA$11.60
75.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$812CA$1,135
$278CA$389
191.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.4KCA$23.0K
$5,165CA$7,225
217.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.4CA$83.1
$36.50CA$51.1
62.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33CA$56.4
$34.69CA$48.53
16.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2CA$129
$85.2CA$119
8.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113CA$158
$36.93CA$51.7
205.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,284CA$1,796
$665CA$931
92.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,018CA$1,424
$388CA$543
162.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,977CA$2,766
$1,100CA$1,538
79.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,746CA$2,443
$492CA$689
254.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,571CA$4,994
$1,899CA$2,657
87.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,359CA$4,698
$2,049CA$2,866
63.92%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
North Battleford
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,213CA$4,494
$2,171CA$3,037
47.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.48
4.8
-6.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calgary: September 12, 2026
Last update for North Battleford: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,284 in Calgary and $665 in North Battleford. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 48% 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 $45.00 in North Battleford for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $395 vs $299 per month, with North Battleford cheaper across the board.
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 North Battleford: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Battleford cheaper than Calgary?
North Battleford is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 65% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or North Battleford?
Average pay runs 48% 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 North Battleford?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,284 in Calgary versus $665 in North Battleford. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in North Battleford?
Dining out is cheaper in North Battleford – a meal for two runs $45.00 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 North Battleford?
All in, you'll spend $2,344 per month in Calgary versus $1,423 in North Battleford – a 65% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Calgary or in North Battleford?
At $1,423 in North Battleford versus $2,344 in Calgary, a $1,500 budget is realistic in North Battleford but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes North Battleford the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in North Battleford?
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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find North Battleford gentler on the wallet – expenses run 65% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.