Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Calgary and Sherbrooke

For one person, living is cheaper in Sherbrooke: $1,641 a month against $2,255 in Calgary, rent and utilities included – about $7,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Calgary
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,255
/mo nomad
Sherbrooke
🇨🇦 Canada
$1,641
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Calgary and in Sherbrooke

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Calgary and in Sherbrooke actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,255 in Calgary versus $1,641 in Sherbrooke.

  • Calgary $2,255
  • Sherbrooke $1,641

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,361 in Calgary versus $2,562 in Sherbrooke.

  • Calgary $3,361
  • Sherbrooke $2,562

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,468 in Calgary versus $3,484 in Sherbrooke.

  • Calgary $4,468
  • Sherbrooke $3,484

Living in Calgary is roughly 37% more expensive than in Sherbrooke, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary 66% above, Sherbrooke 21% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.58 CA$24.85
$17.98 CA$25.42
-2.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.1 CA$97.6
$66.2 CA$93.6
4.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.59 CA$14.97
$10.67 CA$15.08
-0.75%
Cappuccino
$3.84 CA$5.42
$3.21 CA$4.53
19.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 CA$2.72
$1.86 CA$2.63
3.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 CA$2.66
$1.81 CA$2.57
3.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.09 CA$7.20
$5.51 CA$7.79
-7.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.64 CA$7.97
$5.03 CA$7.12
12.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.00 CA$2.82
$2.62 CA$3.70
-23.66%
White Bread (500g)
$2.78 CA$3.93
$2.80 CA$3.96
-0.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.59 CA$7.90
$3.63 CA$5.13
53.99%
Eggs
$3.70 CA$5.23
$3.14 CA$4.44
17.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.48 CA$16.23
$11.88 CA$16.80
-3.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.20 CA$15.84
$10.87 CA$15.36
3.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.59 CA$26.28
$15.77 CA$22.30
17.88%
Apples (1kg)
$4.70 CA$6.64
$4.08 CA$5.76
15.20%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.05
$1.50 CA$2.12
-3.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.34 CA$6.13
$3.85 CA$5.44
12.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.79 CA$5.36
$3.36 CA$4.75
12.80%
Potato (1kg)
$2.69 CA$3.81
$1.75 CA$2.48
53.71%
Onion (1kg)
$2.75 CA$3.88
$2.62 CA$3.71
4.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.56 CA$3.62
$1.75 CA$2.48
46.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.12
$1.73 CA$2.44
-13.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.39 CA$20.34
$12.25 CA$17.32
17.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.81 CA$22.35
$11.91 CA$16.83
32.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.47 CA$3.49
$3.83 CA$5.41
-35.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 CA$4.39
$3.79 CA$5.36
-18.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.81 CA$3.97
$2.62 CA$3.71
7.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$90.6 CA$128
$63.8 CA$90.2
42.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.28 CA$4.64
$3.74 CA$5.28
-12.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.40 CA$1.97
$0.88 CA$1.24
59.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.49 CA$37.45
$32.68 CA$46.20
-18.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 CA$1.72
$1.30 CA$1.83
-6.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4K CA$40.1K
$27.7K CA$39.2K
2.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K CA$29.5K
$21.2K CA$29.9K
-1.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 CA$233
$69.3 CA$98.0
137.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.24 CA$54.1
$43.94 CA$62.1
-12.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.1 CA$70.9
$49.32 CA$69.7
1.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.8 CA$76.1
$27.95 CA$39.51
92.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.04 CA$25.51
$6.59 CA$9.32
173.75%
Cinema Ticket
$14.04 CA$19.84
$10.44 CA$14.76
34.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 CA$1,126
$875 CA$1,237
-8.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.8K CA$22.3K
$9,496 CA$13.4K
66.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.1 CA$83.5
$65.9 CA$93.1
-10.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.20 CA$56.8
$31.53 CA$44.57
27.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.8 CA$128
$61.1 CA$86.3
48.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 CA$155
$122 CA$173
-10.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,207 CA$1,707
$825 CA$1,166
46.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,011 CA$1,429
$585 CA$827
72.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,949 CA$2,756
$1,287 CA$1,820
51.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,677 CA$2,371
$1,011 CA$1,429
65.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,532 CA$4,993
$2,220 CA$3,138
59.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,392 CA$4,795
$1,720 CA$2,431
97.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Sherbrooke
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,152 CA$4,456
$2,775 CA$3,922
13.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.51
4.76
-5.25%

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

Last update for Calgary: October 18, 2026

Last update for Sherbrooke: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Calgary
$1K
Sherbrooke
$585 42.1% $426
Groceries & Markets
Calgary
$392
Sherbrooke
$369 5.8% $23
Eating Out
Calgary
$270
Sherbrooke
$267 1.4% $3.8
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
$253
Sherbrooke
$163 35.7% $90
Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
$135
Sherbrooke
$126 6.2% $8.4
Getting Around
Calgary
$112
Sherbrooke
$82 26.5% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
$82
Sherbrooke
$49 40.4% $33

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,207 in Calgary and $825 in Sherbrooke. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Calgary pays 14% 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: $69.0 in Calgary vs $66.0 in Sherbrooke for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $392 vs $369 per month, with Sherbrooke cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Calgary
🇨🇦 Sherbrooke
🕒 Local time
07:18 7:18 AM
09:18 9:18 AM
2 h ahead of Calgary
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,267,344
172,950
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Calgary Sherbrooke 3,140 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Calgary
  • Sherbrooke

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Sherbrooke: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherbrooke cheaper than Calgary?
Sherbrooke is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 37% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Sherbrooke?
Average pay runs 14% 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 Sherbrooke?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,207 in Calgary versus $825 in Sherbrooke. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Sherbrooke?
Dining out is cheaper in Sherbrooke – a meal for two runs $66.0 versus $69.0 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 Sherbrooke?
All in, you'll spend $2,255 per month in Calgary versus $1,641 in Sherbrooke – a 37% 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 Sherbrooke?
At $1,641 in Sherbrooke versus $2,255 in Calgary, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Sherbrooke but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Sherbrooke the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in Sherbrooke?
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 Sherbrooke gentler on the wallet – expenses run 37% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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