🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,799 in Lelystad versus $2,462 in Calgary.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,847 in Lelystad versus $3,628 in Calgary.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,894 in Lelystad versus $4,795 in Calgary.
🌍Living in Lelystad costs roughly 27% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lelystad35% above, Calgary84% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.73€21.63
$18.33CA$25.70
34.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.5€80.1
$69.9CA$98.0
30.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.70€11.99
$10.95CA$15.35
25.11%
Cappuccino
$3.92€3.43
$3.74CA$5.24
4.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19€2.79
$2.04CA$2.86
56.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85€1.62
$1.67CA$2.34
10.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.11€4.47
$5.20CA$7.29
-1.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86€5.12
$6.71CA$9.41
-12.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23€1.08
$2.25CA$3.15
-45.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.64€1.43
$2.75CA$3.85
-40.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.48€2.17
$3.23CA$4.53
-23.22%
Eggs
$4.66€4.08
$3.45CA$4.83
35.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.75€5.91
$14.40CA$20.19
-53.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.38€13.46
$12.89CA$18.07
19.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.67€15.46
$15.86CA$22.24
11.41%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29€2.00
$4.30CA$6.02
-46.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.54€2.22
$1.34CA$1.88
89.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96€1.72
$3.85CA$5.40
-49.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.55€3.11
$4.25CA$5.97
-16.47%
Potato(1kg)
$2.10€1.84
$2.55CA$3.57
-17.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88€1.65
$2.62CA$3.68
-28.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.22€1.07
$2.80CA$3.92
-56.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83€0.72
$1.95CA$2.73
-57.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.15€8.88
$14.97CA$20.99
-32.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.95€6.08
$13.90CA$19.49
-50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34€1.18
$2.92CA$4.10
-54.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39€2.09
$3.91CA$5.48
-38.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.53€3.09
$2.74CA$3.84
28.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$118€103
$87.8CA$123
34.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.15€3.63
$3.60CA$5.04
15.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.45€2.14
$1.30CA$1.82
88.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.93€23.56
$28.70CA$40.24
-6.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.21€1.93
$1.12CA$1.57
97.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K€29.9K
$25.5KCA$35.7K
34.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7K€33.9K
$21.7KCA$30.5K
77.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$239€209
$213CA$299
12.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.92€13.06
$40.96CA$57.4
-63.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.65€32.06
$57.9CA$81.2
-36.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.45€38.89
$54.2CA$76.0
-17.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.35€20.43
$53.8CA$75.4
-56.56%
Cinema Ticket
$14.15€12.38
$12.63CA$17.71
12.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,716€2,376
$874CA$1,226
210.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,240€5,459
$15.9KCA$22.3K
-60.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.7€87.2
$58.6CA$82.2
70.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.1€43.82
$47.01CA$65.9
6.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.0€86.6
$85.1CA$119
16.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120€105
$108CA$151
11.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693€607
$1,380CA$1,935
-49.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$458€401
$1,159CA$1,625
-60.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,406€1,230
$2,324CA$3,259
-39.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$821€718
$1,905CA$2,670
-56.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,786CA$5,308
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,511CA$4,922
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lelystad
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,493€2,182
$2,940CA$4,121
-15.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.28
5.71
-25.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lelystad: July 12, 2026
Last update for Calgary: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $693 in Lelystad and $1,380 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 18% 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: $92.0 in Lelystad vs $70.0 in Calgary. Groceries flip the comparison at $310 vs $396, with Lelystad 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
Lelystad vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Lelystad?
Lelystad is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 37% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Lelystad or Calgary?
On paper, salaries run 18% lower in Calgary. 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 Lelystad and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $693 in Lelystad versus $1,380 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Lelystad or in Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Lelystad – a meal for two runs $92.0 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 Lelystad and in Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $1,799 per month in Lelystad versus $2,462 in Calgary – a 37% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Lelystad or in Calgary?
At $1,799 in Lelystad versus $2,462 in Calgary, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Lelystad but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Lelystad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Lelystad or in Calgary?
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, Lelystad or Calgary?
Safety-wise, Lelystad and Calgary 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 Lelystad 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.