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: $2,481 in Calgary versus $2,051 in Regina.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,599 in Calgary versus $3,147 in Regina.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,716 in Calgary versus $4,242 in Regina.

Living in Calgary is roughly 21% more expensive than in Regina, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary 86% above, Regina 54% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.64 CA$26.16
$22.41 CA$31.45
-16.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.3 CA$98.7
$73.4 CA$103
-4.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.26 CA$15.80
$9.77 CA$13.72
15.25%
Cappuccino
$3.70 CA$5.19
$4.16 CA$5.84
-11.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 CA$2.88
$2.33 CA$3.28
-12.02%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 CA$2.34
$1.86 CA$2.61
-10.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.26 CA$7.38
$5.78 CA$8.11
-9.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.74 CA$9.45
$6.01 CA$8.43
12.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 CA$3.13
$1.82 CA$2.56
22.53%
White Bread (500g)
$2.75 CA$3.86
$1.94 CA$2.73
41.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.28 CA$4.60
$3.08 CA$4.32
6.49%
Eggs
$3.40 CA$4.78
$3.19 CA$4.48
6.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.45 CA$20.28
$11.21 CA$15.73
28.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.58 CA$17.66
$11.79 CA$16.55
6.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.85 CA$22.24
$17.57 CA$24.66
-9.79%
Apples (1kg)
$4.42 CA$6.20
$3.63 CA$5.10
21.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.34 CA$1.88
$1.58 CA$2.22
-15.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.84 CA$5.39
$4.45 CA$6.24
-13.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.33 CA$6.08
$3.62 CA$5.08
19.61%
Potato (1kg)
$2.54 CA$3.57
$3.17 CA$4.45
-19.87%
Onion (1kg)
$2.73 CA$3.84
$2.75 CA$3.86
-0.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.69 CA$3.78
$2.62 CA$3.68
2.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 CA$2.67
$2.25 CA$3.16
-15.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.81 CA$20.79
$14.60 CA$20.49
1.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.43 CA$20.25
$13.28 CA$18.64
8.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.94 CA$4.12
$3.66 CA$5.14
-19.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98 CA$5.59
$2.97 CA$4.17
34.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Regina
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.70 CA$3.79
$2.43 CA$3.41
11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$88.3 CA$124
$63.7 CA$89.4
38.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 CA$4.81
$3.30 CA$4.63
3.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.31 CA$1.84
$0.66 CA$0.93
98.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.41 CA$39.88
$29.81 CA$41.84
-4.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 CA$1.58
$1.13 CA$1.59
-0.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K CA$35.0K
$25.1K CA$35.2K
-0.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K CA$30.5K
$20.1K CA$28.2K
8.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$210 CA$295
$165 CA$232
27.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$41.33 CA$58.0
$51.8 CA$72.6
-20.14%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.8 CA$81.2
$50.4 CA$70.7
14.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.3 CA$77.7
$39.00 CA$54.7
41.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$52.2 CA$73.3
$16.90 CA$23.72
209.11%
Cinema Ticket
$12.47 CA$17.50
$9.50 CA$13.34
31.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$886 CA$1,244
$491 CA$690
80.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K CA$22.4K
$11.1K CA$15.5K
44.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.1 CA$82.9
$61.6 CA$86.4
-4.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.08 CA$66.1
$33.04 CA$46.37
42.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.1 CA$122
$85.0 CA$119
2.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$154
$111 CA$156
-1.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Regina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,415 CA$1,986
$936 CA$1,314
51.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,180 CA$1,657
$826 CA$1,159
42.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,374 CA$3,332
$1,331 CA$1,868
78.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,855 CA$2,603
$1,526 CA$2,142
21.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,755 CA$5,271
$2,137 CA$3,000
75.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,479 CA$4,883
$2,095 CA$2,941
66.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Regina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,035 CA$4,260
$2,643 CA$3,710
14.84%
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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Regina: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,415 in Calgary and $936 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 $73.0 in Regina. Groceries flip the comparison at $396 vs $375, 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 21% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Regina?
Average pay runs 15% 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 Regina?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,415 in Calgary versus $936 in Regina. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Regina?
Dining out is cheaper in Regina – a meal for two runs $73.0 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 and in Regina?
All in, you'll spend $2,481 per month in Calgary versus $2,051 in Regina – a 21% 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 Regina?
At $2,051 in Regina versus $2,481 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 in 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 21% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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