Calgary vs. Edmonton: Cost Of Living Comparison

Alberta’s two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, are vibrant cultural hubs that attract people from all over Canada and beyond. While both cities offer unique lifestyles and opportunities, the cost of living can vary between them. So, how does the cost of living in Calgary compare to Edmonton? We’ll start by highlighting some key differences between the two cities. Then, we’ll dive into the most significant expense—rent—and see how much your dollar can stretch in each location using the latest liv.rent rental market data. Finally, we’ll provide a complete financial breakdown, showing how much you can expect to spend or save depending on which city you choose, along with essential insights about daily life in both.

Calgary vs. Edmonton: Major differences

A quick overview of the cost of living in Calgary vs. Edmonton shows that it’s more affordable to call Edmonton home than Calgary.

In fact, according to Numbeo, the cost of living in Edmonton is 8.3% lower than in Calgary when you factor in rent that gap jumps to 12.7%.

So, if money is the number one concern for you, Edmonton is a better choice. However, for most of us, it’s more than just money that factors in when you’re deciding where to call home.

Here are some fast facts about Edmonton vs. Calgary that are important to know if you’re deciding where to call home:

• Calgary has a larger metropolitan area than Edmonton 825 sq km vs 684 sq km
• Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta
• Calgary is the most populated and largest city in Alberta

Let’s take a look now at rent in each city and see what kind of place you can get and for how much:

Average rent in Calgary vs. Edmonton

In October 2024, the average rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment in Calgary was $1,676. In comparison, in Edmonton, it was $1,392.

Even if you compare Calgary’s most affordable neighbourhood, Northeast Calgary to Edmonton’s most affordable neighbourhood, Northeast Edmonton, the price difference is significant.

The average rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment:

• Northeast Calgary: $1,631
• Northeast Edmonton: $1,304

Regarding rental types, both cities have furnished or unfurnished rooms for rent, apartments for rent, and houses for rent available depending on your needs.

Cost of living comparison: Calgary vs. Edmonton

Population of Calgary vs. Edmonton

The City of Calgary has a population of just over one point three million, while the entire greater Calgary metropolitan area population adds an extra three hundred thousand.

Meanwhile, in Edmonton, the city has a population of just over one million while the entire Edmonton metropolitan area adds an additional four hundred thousand people.

Not only does Calgary have a much larger population than Edmonton, but it’s also much more densely populated. Calgary has 1,592 people per square kilometre while in Edmonton it’s 1,320 meaning that it might feel slightly less crowded in Edmonton.

Traffic in Calgary vs. Edmonton

For those who rely on their car to get around in the city, traffic is a huge concern. According to TomTom’s Global Traffic Index, both Calgary and Edmonton rank well for ease of traffic, especially when compared to other larger Canadian urban centres like Vancouver or Toronto which top the list.

Edmonton ranks 200th in the world with the average time lost every year to traffic being thirty-nine hours, Calgary ranks slightly better at 297th and an average of thirty-six hours lost to traffic each year.

Both cities have a variety of public transportation options. In Calgary, a network of LTR buses and C train metro lines connect the city.

The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) runs a variety of bus and subway lines.

Weather in Calgary vs. Edmonton

Let’s take a look at Edmonton vs Calgary’s weather. Both cities are located in Western Canada, where you can expect warm summers with cold and snowy winters. The climates are fairly similar as both cities are only two hundred and eighty kilometres apart.

Cost of living for students in Calgary vs. Edmonton

If you are planning to study in Canada, then both Calgary and Edmonton are excellent places to live. They are home to some highly-ranked and desirable schools like the University of Alberta and Mount Royal University.

However, student life can often mean watching your living expenses closely. As we saw in our latest rent report, rent in Edmonton is significantly cheaper than rent in Calgary. So, something students should note is that they might be able to afford to live on their own or with fewer roommates compared to living in Calgary.

Here’s some more data relevant to students about the cost of living in each city:

Source: Numbeo

Which is better, Calgary vs Edmonton?

After comparing what it’s like in both cities, we can say that it’s significantly less expensive to call Edmonton home. That said, it’s more than just the cost of living or the cost of rent that goes into the decision-making. Calgary offers a variety of job opportunities, in addition to some of the country’s best post-secondary schools.

Join us at liv.rent and start your search today for listings in Edmonton and Calgary.

Rethink The Way You Rent

Not on liv.rent yet? Experience the ease of digital applications & contracts, verified tenants & landlords, virtual tours and more – all on one platform. Sign up for free or download the app.

Subscribe to receive the latest tenant & landlord tips and get notified about changes in the Canadian rental market.

>> Stay up-to-date on the average rent in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal: Rent Reports.