Cost of living comparison
Calgary is 0.3% more expensive than Ottawa.
- Restaurants
-
pay 4.1% more in Calgary
- Groceries
-
pay 1.3% more in Calgary
- Transportation
-
pay 11.2% less in Calgary
- Housing
-
pay 9.2% more in Calgary
- Childcare
-
pay 7.4% less in Calgary
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 8.4% more in Calgary
- Clothing
-
pay 2.5% less in Calgary
The cost of housing, entertainment and sports, restaurants, and groceries in Calgary are more expensive than in Ottawa. Expenses including transportation, childcare, and clothing are lower in Calgary.
If you lived in Calgary instead of Ottawa, you would:
pay 4.1% more for restaurants
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$17.96
CA$24.68
|
$18.90
CA$25.96
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.78
CA$14.81
|
$10.78
CA$14.81
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.17
CA$2.98
|
$2.08
CA$2.86
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.53
CA$2.10
|
$1.70
CA$2.34
|
|
pay 1.3% more for groceries
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.65
CA$3.64
|
$2.57
CA$3.53
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.28
CA$8.63
|
$7.33
CA$10.07
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$9.92
CA$13.64
|
$7.31
CA$10.04
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.31
CA$4.55
|
$3.73
CA$5.13
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.89
CA$8.09
|
$5.95
CA$8.18
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.93
CA$2.66
|
$1.95
CA$2.69
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.64
CA$0.87
|
$0.63
CA$0.87
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.44
CA$1.98
|
$1.71
CA$2.35
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.69
CA$2.32
|
$1.84
CA$2.52
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.20
CA$1.65
|
$1.26
CA$1.73
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.31
CA$1.79
|
$1.05
CA$1.44
|
|
pay 11.2% less for transportation
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.15
CA$5.70
|
$4.21
CA$5.78
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$92.50
CA$127.11
|
$82.63
CA$113.53
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$24,412.64
CA$33,544.19
|
$24,412.64
CA$33,544.19
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$18.80
CA$25.83
|
$14.27
CA$19.61
|
|
pay 9.2% more for housing
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$50.21
CA$69.00
|
$61.51
CA$84.52
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,425.51
CA$1,958.73
|
$1,451.73
CA$1,994.75
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,269.57
CA$1,744.45
|
$1,147.78
CA$1,577.10
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$131.33
CA$180.46
|
$160.15
CA$220.06
|
|
pay 7.4% less for childcare
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$999.72
CA$1,373.67
|
$914.16
CA$1,256.11
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$19,936.07
CA$27,393.16
|
$18,680.58
CA$25,668.05
|
|
pay 8.4% more for entertainment and sports
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.75
CA$7.90
|
$5.21
CA$7.16
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.71
CA$5.10
|
$3.87
CA$5.31
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$12.93
CA$17.77
|
$14.37
CA$19.74
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$46.27
CA$63.58
|
$53.75
CA$73.85
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$10.78
CA$14.81
|
$12.93
CA$17.77
|
|
pay 2.5% less for clothing
|
Ottawa
|
Calgary
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$57.20
CA$78.59
|
$56.78
CA$78.02
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$44.39
CA$60.99
|
$46.70
CA$64.17
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.78
CA$134.35
|
$85.33
CA$117.25
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$110.86
CA$152.32
|
$108.68
CA$149.33
|
|
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