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: $2,426 in London versus $2,517 in Calgary.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,539 in London versus $3,646 in Calgary.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,652 in London versus $4,776 in Calgary.

Living in London costs roughly 4% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: London 80% above, Calgary 87% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
London
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.51 CA$25.84
$18.37 CA$25.65
0.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.9 CA$105
$69.7 CA$97.4
7.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.20 CA$14.25
$10.88 CA$15.19
-6.25%
Cappuccino
$3.56 CA$4.97
$3.69 CA$5.16
-3.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 CA$2.75
$2.03 CA$2.84
-2.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 CA$2.72
$1.74 CA$2.43
12.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 CA$8.26
$5.30 CA$7.40
11.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.44 CA$8.99
$6.74 CA$9.42
-4.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
London
Calgary
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 CA$2.32
$2.23 CA$3.12
-25.56%
White Bread (500g)
$2.31 CA$3.23
$2.68 CA$3.75
-13.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.34 CA$4.66
$3.35 CA$4.68
-0.30%
Eggs
$3.27 CA$4.57
$3.33 CA$4.65
-1.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.04 CA$14.02
$14.41 CA$20.12
-30.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.20 CA$17.04
$12.50 CA$17.46
-2.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.25 CA$12.91
$16.33 CA$22.81
-43.36%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 CA$6.36
$4.28 CA$5.98
6.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.43 CA$1.99
$1.35 CA$1.89
5.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.56 CA$4.97
$3.74 CA$5.22
-4.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 CA$5.36
$4.17 CA$5.83
-7.91%
Potato (1kg)
$1.62 CA$2.27
$2.56 CA$3.58
-36.72%
Onion (1kg)
$2.03 CA$2.83
$2.68 CA$3.74
-24.25%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.15 CA$3.00
$2.66 CA$3.71
-19.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 CA$2.02
$1.88 CA$2.62
-23.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.39 CA$17.30
$14.66 CA$20.47
-15.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.73 CA$17.78
$14.23 CA$19.87
-10.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 CA$2.89
$2.95 CA$4.12
-29.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 CA$3.45
$3.89 CA$5.44
-36.50%
🚌 Getting Around
London
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.45 CA$3.43
$2.71 CA$3.79
-9.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$81.5 CA$114
$87.7 CA$122
-7.01%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.11 CA$5.73
$3.46 CA$4.83
18.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 CA$2.40
$1.30 CA$1.81
32.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$31.32 CA$43.74
$28.30 CA$39.52
10.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 CA$1.61
$1.09 CA$1.52
5.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K CA$35.3K
$25.0K CA$34.9K
1.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K CA$28.9K
$22.2K CA$31.0K
-6.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
London
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$145 CA$202
$211 CA$295
-31.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.41 CA$66.2
$40.40 CA$56.4
17.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6 CA$81.8
$58.5 CA$81.7
0.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
London
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.64 CA$58.1
$53.8 CA$75.1
-22.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.48 CA$10.45
$53.8 CA$75.2
-86.10%
Cinema Ticket
$10.80 CA$15.08
$12.64 CA$17.66
-14.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
London
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$559 CA$780
$865 CA$1,208
-35.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.1K CA$19.7K
$16.1K CA$22.4K
-12.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
London
Calgary
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 CA$77.9
$58.1 CA$81.1
-3.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.09 CA$64.4
$47.18 CA$65.9
-2.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.5 CA$119
$85.4 CA$119
0.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.7 CA$114
$106 CA$148
-22.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
London
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,439 CA$2,010
$1,416 CA$1,977
1.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,308 CA$1,827
$1,153 CA$1,611
13.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,630 CA$3,673
$2,370 CA$3,309
10.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,977 CA$2,761
$1,864 CA$2,603
6.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,512 CA$4,904
$3,834 CA$5,354
-8.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,605 CA$5,035
$3,443 CA$4,808
4.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
London
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,057 CA$4,268
$3,105 CA$4,337
-1.58%
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: June 8, 2026

Last update for Calgary: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,439 in London and $1,416 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Calgary pays 2% 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: $75.0 in London vs $70.0 in Calgary. Groceries flip the comparison at $325 vs $393, 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, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: London or Calgary?
On paper, Calgary earns 2% less. 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: $1,439 in London versus $1,416 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in London or Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in London – a meal for two runs $75.0 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 vs Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $2,426 per month in London versus $2,517 in Calgary – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for London or Calgary?
At $2,426 in London versus $2,517 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 4% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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