🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,424 in Parry Sound versus $2,481 in Calgary.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,225 in Parry Sound versus $3,599 in Calgary.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,025 in Parry Sound versus $4,716 in Calgary.
🌍Living in Parry Sound costs roughly 2% less than in Calgary, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Parry Sound82% above, Calgary86% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.26CA$21.42
$18.64CA$26.16
-18.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.50CA$61.1
$70.3CA$98.7
-38.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.85CA$15.23
$11.26CA$15.80
-3.64%
Cappuccino
$2.88CA$4.05
$3.70CA$5.19
-22.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78CA$2.50
$2.05CA$2.88
-13.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25CA$1.76
$1.67CA$2.34
-25.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.03CA$7.06
$5.26CA$7.38
-4.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.48CA$6.29
$6.74CA$9.45
-33.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.33CA$3.27
$2.23CA$3.13
4.48%
White Bread(500g)
$2.20CA$3.09
$2.75CA$3.86
-20.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.66CA$2.33
$3.28CA$4.60
-49.39%
Eggs
$3.22CA$4.52
$3.40CA$4.78
-5.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.46CA$6.26
$14.45CA$20.28
-69.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.23CA$12.96
$12.58CA$17.66
-26.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.40CA$10.39
$15.85CA$22.24
-53.31%
Apples(1kg)
$3.62CA$5.09
$4.42CA$6.20
-18.10%
Banana(1kg)
$0.71CA$0.99
$1.34CA$1.88
-47.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.75CA$1.05
$3.84CA$5.39
-80.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.18CA$3.06
$4.33CA$6.08
-49.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.75CA$2.46
$2.54CA$3.57
-31.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.36CA$1.92
$2.73CA$3.84
-50.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.49CA$2.09
$2.69CA$3.78
-44.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.94CA$2.72
$1.90CA$2.67
2.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.20CA$17.12
$14.81CA$20.79
-17.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.21CA$15.74
$14.43CA$20.25
-22.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.48CA$3.48
$2.94CA$4.12
-15.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66CA$3.73
$3.98CA$5.59
-33.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.34CA$3.28
$2.70CA$3.79
-13.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.3CA$88.8
$88.3CA$124
-28.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.09CA$4.33
$3.42CA$4.81
-9.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12CA$2.98
$1.31CA$1.84
61.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.47CA$31.55
$28.41CA$39.88
-20.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06CA$1.48
$1.12CA$1.58
-5.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KCA$34.6K
$24.9KCA$35.0K
-0.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3KCA$28.5K
$21.7KCA$30.5K
-6.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176CA$247
$210CA$295
-16.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.06CA$47.81
$41.33CA$58.0
-17.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.3CA$73.4
$57.8CA$81.2
-9.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.89CA$58.8
$55.3CA$77.7
-24.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$52.2CA$73.3
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.43CA$18.85
$12.47CA$17.50
7.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$975CA$1,368
$886CA$1,244
9.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.7KCA$16.4K
$15.9KCA$22.4K
-26.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.8CA$86.8
$59.1CA$82.9
4.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.50CA$61.1
$47.08CA$66.1
-7.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.5CA$134
$87.1CA$122
9.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.9CA$130
$110CA$154
-15.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,127CA$1,582
$1,415CA$1,986
-20.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,404CA$1,971
$1,180CA$1,657
18.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,993CA$2,797
$2,374CA$3,332
-16.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,796CA$2,521
$1,855CA$2,603
-3.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,755CA$5,271
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,479CA$4,883
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Parry Sound
Calgary
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,162CA$3,035
$3,035CA$4,260
-28.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.71
-12.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Parry Sound: July 26, 2026
Last update for Calgary: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,127 in Parry Sound and $1,415 in Calgary. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Calgary pays 40% 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: $44.00 in Parry Sound vs $70.0 in Calgary for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $260 vs $396 per month, with Parry Sound 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
Parry Sound vs Calgary: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calgary cheaper than Parry Sound?
Parry Sound is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Parry Sound or Calgary?
On paper, salaries run 40% 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 Parry Sound and Calgary?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,127 in Parry Sound 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 Parry Sound or in Calgary?
Dining out is cheaper in Parry Sound – a meal for two runs $44.00 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 Parry Sound and in Calgary?
All in, you'll spend $2,424 per month in Parry Sound versus $2,481 in Calgary – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Parry Sound or in Calgary?
At $2,424 in Parry Sound versus $2,481 in Calgary, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Parry Sound but tight or insufficient in Calgary. The gap between the two cities makes Parry Sound the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Parry Sound 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, Parry Sound or Calgary?
Safety-wise, Parry Sound 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 Parry Sound 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.
Parry Sound vs other spots: cost of living compared