Cost of Living Comparison Between Moose Jaw, SK and Calgary Cost of Living Comparison Between Moose Jaw, SK and Calgary

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,759 in Moose Jaw, SK versus $2,510 in Calgary.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,848 in Moose Jaw, SK versus $3,653 in Calgary.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,937 in Moose Jaw, SK versus $4,795 in Calgary.

Living in Moose Jaw, SK costs roughly 30% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Moose Jaw, SK 31% above, Calgary 87% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.04 CA$30.20
$18.65 CA$25.54
18.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$86.9 CA$119
$71.1 CA$97.4
22.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.72 CA$11.95
$10.82 CA$14.82
-19.41%
Cappuccino
$3.77 CA$5.16
$3.80 CA$5.21
-0.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 CA$3.35
$2.05 CA$2.81
19.02%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.05
$1.67 CA$2.29
-10.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.78 CA$6.54
$5.22 CA$7.15
-8.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90 CA$8.08
$6.45 CA$8.84
-8.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.48 CA$2.03
$2.22 CA$3.04
-33.33%
White Bread (500g)
$2.41 CA$3.30
$2.78 CA$3.81
-13.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.31 CA$7.27
$3.41 CA$4.67
55.72%
Eggs
$3.14 CA$4.31
$3.47 CA$4.75
-9.51%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.27 CA$11.33
$14.42 CA$19.75
-42.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.75 CA$13.36
$12.85 CA$17.61
-24.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.56 CA$22.69
$16.24 CA$22.25
1.97%
Apples (1kg)
$3.03 CA$4.15
$4.46 CA$6.11
-32.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.30 CA$1.78
$1.30 CA$1.78
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.49 CA$3.41
$3.73 CA$5.11
-33.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.13 CA$4.29
$4.27 CA$5.86
-26.70%
Potato (1kg)
$2.89 CA$3.96
$2.67 CA$3.66
8.24%
Onion (1kg)
$2.30 CA$3.15
$2.68 CA$3.67
-14.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.74 CA$3.75
$2.75 CA$3.76
-0.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 CA$1.66
$1.96 CA$2.69
-38.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.20 CA$18.08
$14.55 CA$19.94
-9.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.25 CA$19.52
$14.66 CA$20.09
-2.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.39 CA$4.64
$2.81 CA$3.86
20.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.39 CA$4.64
$3.99 CA$5.47
-15.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.61 CA$3.58
$2.74 CA$3.75
-4.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$58.3 CA$79.9
$86.7 CA$119
-32.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.64 CA$4.99
$3.58 CA$4.90
1.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.28 CA$1.75
$1.29 CA$1.77
-0.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.66 CA$20.08
$28.58 CA$39.15
-48.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 CA$1.55
$1.08 CA$1.48
4.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K CA$34.6K
$25.4K CA$34.8K
-0.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K CA$28.1K
$21.6K CA$29.5K
-4.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 CA$213
$215 CA$294
-27.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.62 CA$66.6
$40.83 CA$55.9
19.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.8 CA$97.0
$57.9 CA$79.4
22.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.68 CA$66.7
$54.0 CA$74.0
-9.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$51.7 CA$70.9
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.80 CA$14.80
$12.56 CA$17.21
-14.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$535 CA$733
$871 CA$1,193
-38.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.1K CA$20.6K
$16.1K CA$22.1K
-6.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.7 CA$70.8
$58.6 CA$80.3
-11.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.6 CA$80.3
$46.97 CA$64.4
24.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.2 CA$125
$86.3 CA$118
5.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 CA$154
$109 CA$150
2.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$660 CA$904
$1,388 CA$1,901
-52.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$580 CA$794
$1,181 CA$1,618
-50.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,182 CA$1,619
$2,337 CA$3,202
-49.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,246 CA$1,708
$1,886 CA$2,583
-33.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,823 CA$5,237
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,596 CA$4,926
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Moose Jaw, SK
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,830 CA$3,877
$3,125 CA$4,281
-9.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.72
5.71
-17.34%

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

Last update for Moose Jaw, SK: April 26, 2026

Last update for Calgary: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $660 in Moose Jaw, SK and $1,388 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Calgary pays 10% 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: $87.0 in Moose Jaw, SK vs $71.0 in Calgary. Groceries flip the comparison at $335 vs $399, with Moose Jaw, SK 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
Moose Jaw, SK vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Moose Jaw, SK?
Moose Jaw, SK is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 43% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Moose Jaw, SK or Calgary?
On paper, Calgary earns 10% 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 Moose Jaw, SK and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $660 in Moose Jaw, SK versus $1,388 in Calgary. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Moose Jaw, SK or Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Moose Jaw, SK – a meal for two runs $87.0 versus $71.0 in Calgary. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Moose Jaw, SK vs Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $1,759 per month in Moose Jaw, SK versus $2,510 in Calgary – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Moose Jaw, SK or Calgary?
At $1,759 in Moose Jaw, SK versus $2,510 in Calgary, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Moose Jaw, SK but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Moose Jaw, SK the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Moose Jaw, SK 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Moose Jaw, SK gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Calgary. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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