😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,523 in Calgary versus $2,340 in Port Hardy.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,652 in Calgary versus $3,395 in Port Hardy.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,780 in Calgary versus $4,450 in Port Hardy.
😐Living in Calgary is roughly 8% more expensive than Port Hardy, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary88% above, Port Hardy75% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.59CA$25.86
$16.64CA$23.14
11.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.0CA$97.4
$71.1CA$98.8
-1.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.96CA$15.24
$10.90CA$15.16
0.55%
Cappuccino
$3.73CA$5.19
$3.86CA$5.36
-3.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99CA$2.77
$2.04CA$2.83
-2.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72CA$2.40
$1.65CA$2.30
4.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.01CA$6.97
$5.63CA$7.83
-11.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.50CA$9.05
$6.01CA$8.36
8.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.22CA$3.09
$2.10CA$2.92
5.71%
White Bread(500g)
$2.67CA$3.71
$2.70CA$3.75
-1.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.26CA$4.54
$3.65CA$5.08
-10.68%
Eggs
$3.35CA$4.66
$3.47CA$4.83
-3.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.50CA$20.16
$11.30CA$15.71
28.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.95CA$18.01
$11.71CA$16.28
10.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.15CA$22.46
$14.65CA$20.38
10.24%
Apples(1kg)
$4.32CA$6.01
$4.12CA$5.73
4.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.35CA$1.88
$1.42CA$1.97
-4.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.83CA$5.32
$3.72CA$5.18
2.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.18CA$5.81
$3.85CA$5.36
8.57%
Potato(1kg)
$2.65CA$3.68
$2.41CA$3.35
9.96%
Onion(1kg)
$2.74CA$3.81
$2.53CA$3.52
8.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.76CA$3.84
$2.52CA$3.50
9.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.71
$1.76CA$2.45
10.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.98CA$20.83
$14.16CA$19.70
5.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.67CA$20.40
$12.03CA$16.72
21.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84CA$3.95
$2.95CA$4.11
-3.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02CA$5.59
$3.16CA$4.40
27.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.80CA$3.90
$2.35CA$3.27
19.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$86.2CA$120
$62.2CA$86.5
38.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.60CA$5.01
$3.09CA$4.29
16.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.32CA$1.83
$1.48CA$2.06
-10.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.01CA$40.35
$25.30CA$35.18
14.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12CA$1.56
$1.15CA$1.60
-2.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KCA$34.6K
$25.0KCA$34.8K
-0.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0KCA$30.6K
$20.8KCA$29.0K
5.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$217CA$302
$144CA$201
50.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.55CA$57.8
$44.32CA$61.6
-6.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.1CA$80.8
$62.8CA$87.3
-7.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.7CA$76.1
$41.51CA$57.7
31.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$52.8CA$73.5
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.77CA$17.75
$11.59CA$16.12
10.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$874CA$1,215
$733CA$1,019
19.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9KCA$22.2K
$11.7KCA$16.3K
36.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.8CA$81.8
$55.1CA$76.6
6.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.47CA$64.6
$39.58CA$55.1
17.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.2CA$121
$86.9CA$121
0.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109CA$151
$106CA$148
2.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,414CA$1,966
$1,306CA$1,816
8.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,172CA$1,630
$1,186CA$1,649
-1.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,319CA$3,225
$2,048CA$2,849
13.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,886CA$2,623
$1,842CA$2,561
2.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,892CA$5,413
$4,442CA$6,177
-12.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,503CA$4,872
$3,605CA$5,014
-2.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Port Hardy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,149CA$4,380
$3,293CA$4,580
-4.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.71
6.46
-11.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calgary: June 1, 2026
Last update for Port Hardy: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,414 in Calgary and $1,306 in Port Hardy. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Port Hardy pays 5% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Calgary vs $71.0 in Port Hardy. Groceries flip the comparison at $397 vs $365, with Port Hardy 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 Port Hardy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Hardy cheaper than Calgary?
Port Hardy is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 8% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Port Hardy?
On paper, Port Hardy earns 5% less. 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 Port Hardy?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,414 in Calgary versus $1,306 in Port Hardy. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or Port Hardy?
Dining out is cheaper in Port Hardy – a meal for two runs $71.0 versus $70.0 in Calgary. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Calgary vs Port Hardy?
All in, you'll spend $2,523 per month in Calgary versus $2,340 in Port Hardy – a 8% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for Calgary or Port Hardy?
At $2,340 in Port Hardy versus $2,523 in Calgary, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Port Hardy but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Port Hardy the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or Port Hardy?
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 Port Hardy?
Safety-wise, Calgary and Port Hardy 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 Port Hardy gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.