Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Regina Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Regina

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,517 in Calgary versus $2,053 in Regina.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,646 in Calgary versus $3,150 in Regina.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,776 in Calgary versus $4,247 in Regina.

Living in Calgary is roughly 23% more expensive than Regina, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary 87% above, Regina 53% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.37 CA$25.65
$22.35 CA$31.21
-17.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.7 CA$97.4
$74.5 CA$104
-6.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 CA$15.19
$9.58 CA$13.39
13.57%
Cappuccino
$3.69 CA$5.16
$4.20 CA$5.87
-12.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 CA$2.84
$2.27 CA$3.17
-10.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 CA$2.43
$1.89 CA$2.64
-7.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.30 CA$7.40
$5.84 CA$8.15
-9.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.74 CA$9.42
$6.04 CA$8.43
11.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 CA$3.12
$1.87 CA$2.61
19.25%
White Bread (500g)
$2.68 CA$3.75
$2.03 CA$2.83
32.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.35 CA$4.68
$3.16 CA$4.42
6.01%
Eggs
$3.33 CA$4.65
$3.10 CA$4.33
7.42%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.41 CA$20.12
$11.27 CA$15.74
27.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.50 CA$17.46
$11.97 CA$16.71
4.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 CA$22.81
$17.53 CA$24.48
-6.85%
Apples (1kg)
$4.28 CA$5.98
$3.75 CA$5.24
14.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.35 CA$1.89
$1.67 CA$2.33
-19.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.74 CA$5.22
$4.33 CA$6.04
-13.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.17 CA$5.83
$3.57 CA$4.99
16.81%
Potato (1kg)
$2.56 CA$3.58
$3.33 CA$4.65
-23.12%
Onion (1kg)
$2.68 CA$3.74
$2.83 CA$3.95
-5.30%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.66 CA$3.71
$2.53 CA$3.54
5.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 CA$2.62
$2.25 CA$3.15
-16.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.66 CA$20.47
$14.61 CA$20.41
0.34%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.23 CA$19.87
$13.40 CA$18.71
6.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95 CA$4.12
$3.66 CA$5.11
-19.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89 CA$5.44
$3.08 CA$4.30
26.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Regina
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.71 CA$3.79
$2.35 CA$3.27
15.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$87.7 CA$122
$64.3 CA$89.9
36.29%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.46 CA$4.83
$3.34 CA$4.67
3.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.30 CA$1.81
$0.65 CA$0.91
100.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.30 CA$39.52
$29.71 CA$41.49
-4.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 CA$1.52
$1.08 CA$1.50
0.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K CA$34.9K
$25.4K CA$35.4K
-1.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K CA$31.0K
$20.0K CA$28.0K
10.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$211 CA$295
$164 CA$229
28.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.40 CA$56.4
$50.0 CA$69.8
-19.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.5 CA$81.7
$51.4 CA$71.7
13.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.8 CA$75.1
$38.06 CA$53.2
41.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.8 CA$75.2
$16.85 CA$23.54
219.41%
Cinema Ticket
$12.64 CA$17.66
$9.61 CA$13.43
31.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$865 CA$1,208
$489 CA$683
76.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.1K CA$22.4K
$11.1K CA$15.5K
44.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1 CA$81.1
$62.1 CA$86.8
-6.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.18 CA$65.9
$32.79 CA$45.79
43.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.4 CA$119
$86.1 CA$120
-0.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 CA$148
$111 CA$155
-4.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Regina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,416 CA$1,977
$912 CA$1,274
55.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,153 CA$1,611
$825 CA$1,152
39.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,370 CA$3,309
$1,355 CA$1,892
74.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,864 CA$2,603
$1,547 CA$2,160
20.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,834 CA$5,354
$2,170 CA$3,030
76.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,443 CA$4,808
$2,122 CA$2,963
62.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,105 CA$4,337
$2,692 CA$3,759
15.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.71
6.47
-11.75%

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

Last update for Calgary: June 7, 2026

Last update for Regina: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,416 in Calgary and $912 in Regina. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Calgary pays 15% 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 $75.0 in Regina. Groceries flip the comparison at $393 vs $378, with Regina 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 Regina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Regina cheaper than Calgary?
Regina is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 23% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Regina?
Calgary pays 15% more on average, 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 Regina?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,416 in Calgary versus $912 in Regina. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or Regina?
Dining out is cheaper in Regina – a meal for two runs $75.0 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 Regina?
All in, you'll spend $2,517 per month in Calgary versus $2,053 in Regina – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Calgary or Regina?
At $2,053 in Regina versus $2,517 in Calgary, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Regina but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Regina the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or Regina?
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 Regina gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Calgary vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities