Cost of Living Comparison Between London and Calgary Cost of Living Comparison Between London and Calgary

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,433 in London versus $2,481 in Calgary.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,468 in London versus $3,599 in Calgary.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,504 in London versus $4,716 in Calgary.

Living in London costs roughly 2% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: London 83% above, Calgary 86% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
London
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.18 CA$25.48
$18.64 CA$26.13
-2.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5 CA$103
$70.3 CA$98.5
4.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.16 CA$14.25
$11.26 CA$15.78
-9.77%
Cappuccino
$3.53 CA$4.95
$3.70 CA$5.19
-4.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 CA$2.75
$2.05 CA$2.88
-4.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87 CA$2.63
$1.67 CA$2.34
11.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.79 CA$8.12
$5.26 CA$7.37
10.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.77 CA$9.49
$6.74 CA$9.44
0.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
London
Calgary
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.63 CA$2.28
$2.23 CA$3.12
-26.91%
White Bread (500g)
$2.39 CA$3.35
$2.75 CA$3.86
-13.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.33 CA$4.67
$3.28 CA$4.60
1.52%
Eggs
$3.40 CA$4.77
$3.40 CA$4.77
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.97 CA$13.98
$14.45 CA$20.25
-31.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.51 CA$17.53
$12.58 CA$17.63
-0.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.01 CA$12.64
$15.85 CA$22.21
-43.15%
Apples (1kg)
$4.60 CA$6.44
$4.42 CA$6.19
4.07%
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 CA$1.92
$1.34 CA$1.88
2.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.53 CA$4.95
$3.84 CA$5.38
-8.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.82 CA$5.35
$4.33 CA$6.07
-11.78%
Potato (1kg)
$1.61 CA$2.25
$2.54 CA$3.57
-36.61%
Onion (1kg)
$2.14 CA$2.99
$2.73 CA$3.83
-21.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.12 CA$2.96
$2.69 CA$3.77
-21.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 CA$2.02
$1.90 CA$2.66
-24.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.64 CA$17.72
$14.81 CA$20.76
-14.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.46 CA$17.47
$14.43 CA$20.22
-13.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 CA$2.90
$2.94 CA$4.12
-29.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 CA$3.47
$3.98 CA$5.58
-37.69%
🚌 Getting Around
London
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.43 CA$3.41
$2.70 CA$3.79
-10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.0 CA$116
$88.3 CA$124
-5.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.98 CA$5.58
$3.42 CA$4.80
16.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 CA$2.47
$1.31 CA$1.84
34.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$31.21 CA$43.74
$28.41 CA$39.83
9.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 CA$1.54
$1.12 CA$1.58
-1.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.2K CA$35.3K
$24.9K CA$34.9K
1.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K CA$29.1K
$21.7K CA$30.5K
-4.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
London
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$144 CA$202
$210 CA$295
-31.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.77 CA$67.0
$41.33 CA$57.9
15.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.9 CA$81.1
$57.8 CA$81.1
0.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
London
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.41 CA$59.5
$55.3 CA$77.5
-23.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.30 CA$10.24
$52.2 CA$73.2
-86.03%
Cinema Ticket
$11.06 CA$15.50
$12.47 CA$17.48
-11.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
London
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$548 CA$768
$886 CA$1,242
-38.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.3K CA$20.1K
$15.9K CA$22.4K
-10.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
London
Calgary
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.8 CA$76.7
$59.1 CA$82.8
-7.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.53 CA$65.2
$47.08 CA$66.0
-1.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.2 CA$121
$87.1 CA$122
-1.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.1 CA$117
$110 CA$154
-24.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
London
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,464 CA$2,052
$1,415 CA$1,983
3.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,272 CA$1,784
$1,180 CA$1,655
7.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,608 CA$3,655
$2,374 CA$3,328
9.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,994 CA$2,795
$1,855 CA$2,600
7.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,503 CA$4,910
$3,755 CA$5,263
-6.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,576 CA$5,013
$3,479 CA$4,876
2.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
London
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,941 CA$4,123
$3,035 CA$4,254
-3.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.21
5.71
8.76%

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

Last update for London: July 28, 2026

Last update for Calgary: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,464 in London and $1,415 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Calgary pays 3% 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: $74.0 in London vs $70.0 in Calgary. Groceries flip the comparison at $326 vs $396, with London 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
London vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than London?
London is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: London or Calgary?
On paper, salaries run 3% 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 London and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,464 in London versus $1,415 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in London or in Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in London – a meal for two runs $74.0 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 London and in Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $2,433 per month in London versus $2,481 in Calgary – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in London or in Calgary?
At $2,433 in London versus $2,481 in Calgary, a $2,500 budget is realistic in London but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes London the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is London or Calgary more family-friendly?
For families, London is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Calgary, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, London or Calgary?
Safety-wise, London 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 London gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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