😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,462 in Calgary versus $2,309 in Simcoe, ON.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,628 in Calgary versus $3,735 in Simcoe, ON.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,795 in Calgary versus $5,160 in Simcoe, ON.
🌍Living in Calgary is roughly 7% more expensive than in Simcoe, ON, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Calgary84% above, Simcoe, ON73% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.33CA$25.79
$16.44CA$23.13
11.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9CA$98.3
$68.9CA$96.9
1.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.95CA$15.41
$11.59CA$16.31
-5.52%
Cappuccino
$3.74CA$5.26
$3.67CA$5.16
1.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04CA$2.87
$1.79CA$2.52
13.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67CA$2.35
$1.76CA$2.48
-5.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.20CA$7.32
$5.02CA$7.07
3.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.71CA$9.45
$5.75CA$8.10
16.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.25CA$3.16
$2.02CA$2.84
11.39%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75CA$3.87
$2.44CA$3.44
12.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.23CA$4.54
$2.16CA$3.03
49.54%
Eggs
$3.45CA$4.85
$3.02CA$4.25
14.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.40CA$20.26
$8.92CA$12.55
61.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.89CA$18.13
$8.70CA$12.24
48.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86CA$22.32
$22.32CA$31.40
-28.94%
Apples(1kg)
$4.30CA$6.05
$3.97CA$5.59
8.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34CA$1.89
$0.86CA$1.21
55.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.85CA$5.42
$3.24CA$4.57
18.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.25CA$5.99
$2.22CA$3.12
91.44%
Potato(1kg)
$2.55CA$3.58
$2.25CA$3.16
13.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.62CA$3.69
$1.48CA$2.08
77.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.80CA$3.94
$2.15CA$3.02
30.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.74
$1.42CA$2.00
37.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.97CA$21.06
$11.17CA$15.72
34.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.90CA$19.57
$10.77CA$15.15
29.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92CA$4.11
$2.73CA$3.84
6.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91CA$5.50
$2.83CA$3.98
38.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.74CA$3.85
$2.32CA$3.27
18.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.8CA$124
$74.8CA$105
17.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.60CA$5.06
$2.30CA$3.24
56.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.30CA$1.83
$1.75CA$2.46
-25.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.70CA$40.39
$32.90CA$46.30
-12.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12CA$1.57
$1.06CA$1.49
5.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5KCA$35.8K
$24.9KCA$35.0K
2.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7KCA$30.6K
$21.3KCA$30.0K
2.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$213CA$300
$133CA$187
60.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.96CA$57.6
$55.2CA$77.6
-25.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.9CA$81.5
$62.7CA$88.3
-7.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$54.2CA$76.2
$44.17CA$62.2
22.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$53.8CA$75.6
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.63CA$17.77
$8.59CA$12.08
47.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$874CA$1,230
$955CA$1,344
-8.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9KCA$22.3K
$10.9KCA$15.3K
46.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.6CA$82.5
$44.36CA$62.4
32.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.01CA$66.2
$38.49CA$54.2
22.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.1CA$120
$66.9CA$94.1
27.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108CA$151
$126CA$178
-14.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,380CA$1,942
$1,327CA$1,868
3.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,159CA$1,631
$1,185CA$1,667
-2.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,324CA$3,270
$2,206CA$3,104
5.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,905CA$2,680
$2,694CA$3,791
-29.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,786CA$5,327
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,511CA$4,940
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Calgary
Simcoe, ON
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,940CA$4,136
$2,962CA$4,167
-0.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.71
6.55
-12.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Calgary: July 13, 2026
Last update for Simcoe, ON: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,380 in Calgary and $1,327 in Simcoe, ON. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Simcoe, ON pays 1% 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 $69.0 in Simcoe, ON for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $396 vs $328 per month, with Simcoe, ON 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 Simcoe, ON: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Simcoe, ON cheaper than Calgary?
Simcoe, ON is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Calgary or Simcoe, ON?
On paper, salaries run 1% lower in Simcoe, ON. 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 Simcoe, ON?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,380 in Calgary versus $1,327 in Simcoe, ON. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Calgary or in Simcoe, ON?
Dining out is cheaper in Simcoe, ON – a meal for two runs $69.0 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 Simcoe, ON?
All in, you'll spend $2,462 per month in Calgary versus $2,309 in Simcoe, ON – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Calgary or in Simcoe, ON?
At $2,309 in Simcoe, ON versus $2,462 in Calgary, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Simcoe, ON but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Simcoe, ON the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Calgary or in Simcoe, ON?
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 Simcoe, ON gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.