🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,982 in Moncton versus $2,523 in Calgary.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,942 in Moncton versus $3,652 in Calgary.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,902 in Moncton versus $4,780 in Calgary.
🙂Living in Moncton costs roughly 21% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Moncton48% above, Calgary88% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.12CA$25.08
$18.59CA$25.74
-2.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.3CA$93.1
$70.0CA$97.0
-3.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.11CA$15.38
$10.96CA$15.17
1.37%
Cappuccino
$3.30CA$4.57
$3.73CA$5.17
-11.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86CA$2.57
$1.99CA$2.75
-6.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83CA$2.54
$1.72CA$2.39
6.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.65CA$5.05
$5.01CA$6.94
-27.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35CA$6.02
$6.50CA$9.01
-33.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.65CA$3.66
$2.22CA$3.08
19.37%
White Bread(500g)
$3.05CA$4.22
$2.67CA$3.69
14.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.60CA$4.98
$3.26CA$4.52
10.43%
Eggs
$3.58CA$4.96
$3.35CA$4.64
6.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.83CA$17.77
$14.50CA$20.07
-11.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.05CA$15.30
$12.95CA$17.93
-14.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.51CA$14.55
$16.15CA$22.36
-34.92%
Apples(1kg)
$5.46CA$7.55
$4.32CA$5.98
26.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54CA$2.13
$1.35CA$1.88
14.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.78CA$5.23
$3.83CA$5.30
-1.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.18CA$5.78
$4.18CA$5.79
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.24CA$3.10
$2.65CA$3.67
-15.47%
Onion(1kg)
$2.56CA$3.55
$2.74CA$3.79
-6.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.35CA$3.26
$2.76CA$3.82
-14.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18CA$3.02
$1.95CA$2.70
11.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.06CA$18.09
$14.98CA$20.74
-12.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.76CA$16.28
$14.67CA$20.31
-19.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.64CA$3.66
$2.84CA$3.94
-7.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25CA$5.88
$4.02CA$5.56
5.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.19CA$3.03
$2.80CA$3.88
-21.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.7CA$70.2
$86.2CA$119
-41.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.87CA$3.97
$3.60CA$4.99
-20.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34CA$1.86
$1.32CA$1.82
1.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.43CA$31.05
$29.01CA$40.17
-22.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26CA$1.74
$1.12CA$1.55
12.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KCA$34.3K
$24.9KCA$34.4K
-0.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9KCA$27.6K
$22.0KCA$30.4K
-9.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$130CA$180
$217CA$301
-40.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.82CA$52.4
$41.55CA$57.5
-8.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.9CA$84.3
$58.1CA$80.4
4.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.36CA$51.7
$54.7CA$75.8
-31.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.70CA$9.28
$52.8CA$73.1
-87.32%
Cinema Ticket
$12.28CA$17.01
$12.77CA$17.68
-3.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$396CA$548
$874CA$1,210
-54.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,276CA$10.1K
$15.9KCA$22.1K
-54.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.2CA$75.0
$58.8CA$81.5
-7.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.74CA$53.6
$46.47CA$64.4
-16.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107CA$148
$87.2CA$121
22.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145CA$200
$109CA$151
33.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,020CA$1,413
$1,414CA$1,957
-27.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$836CA$1,157
$1,172CA$1,623
-28.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,614CA$2,234
$2,319CA$3,211
-30.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,301CA$1,801
$1,886CA$2,612
-31.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,281CA$3,159
$3,892CA$5,389
-41.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,114CA$2,927
$3,503CA$4,851
-39.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Moncton
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,553CA$3,534
$3,149CA$4,360
-18.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.57
5.71
15.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Moncton: June 1, 2026
Last update for Calgary: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,020 in Moncton and $1,414 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 23% 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: $67.0 in Moncton vs $70.0 in Calgary for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $376 vs $397 per month, with Moncton 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
Moncton vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Moncton?
Moncton is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 27% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Moncton or Calgary?
On paper, Calgary earns 23% 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 Moncton and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,020 in Moncton versus $1,414 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Moncton or Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Moncton – a meal for two runs $67.0 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 Moncton vs Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $1,982 per month in Moncton versus $2,523 in Calgary – a 27% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $3,000 a realistic budget for Moncton or Calgary?
At $1,982 in Moncton versus $2,523 in Calgary, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Moncton but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Moncton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Moncton or 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, Moncton or Calgary?
Safety-wise, Moncton 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 Moncton gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.