Calgary vs Vancouver: cost of living comparison



    Canada is a large and prosperous country. People are constantly migrating and moving from one city to another. However, before relocation, you need to consider a couple of things. Firstly, you need to know a cost of living in a city and how it will affect your budget. That is why we are here to provide you with Calgary vs Vancouver and their cost of living. With Centennial Moving Canada, you will become a local in no time!

    Calgary vs Vancouver: the basics

    Before heading into this adventure, you need to know a few basic facts about both of these cities. Namely, Calgary is located in the province of Alberta. It numbers over a million residents which makes it the largest city in Alberta! Calgary is very active in the oil industry and agriculture. It is known for its cowboy culture and that is why it has a nickname “the Texas of Canada.” The weather in Calgary is quite good according to Canadian standards. Summers are hot and dry while winters are mild. Even when it’s cold, you can feel the rays of sunshine!

    On the other hand, Vancouver is located in British Columbia. It is somewhat smaller than Calgary with over 600 thousand residents. Because of its quality of life, it is often regarded as one of the best cities to live in in Canada. The current average salary is $56,503. You can expect lots of rain here, especially in March and November. These are just some examples of what both of these cities have to offer. If you want to experience a stress-free move from Calgary to Vancouver or vice versa, you need to hire our reliable province to province movers that will tailor your move with ease!

    evening in vancouver

    Learn the basics of the city if you want to become a long-time resident

    What do you need to know about the cost of living in Calgary?

    Nowadays, saving money is not an easy thing to do. Additionally, you need to be extra creative in making ways of saving. Moreover, this is also a reason why you need to learn and read about the cost of living as much as possible. This will give you an overview of how to spend money wisely without taking any risks. We will represent the cost of living in different fields in Calgary:

    • Housing
    • Transport and way of commuting
    • Food and drinks
    • Entertainment

    Now that we listed our fields of interest, before making this step, you need to hire the best long distance movers Calgary team that will help you in meeting this amazing city!

    Housing

    Housing is the first and most important thing you need to look at when researching the cost of living in Calgary vs Vancouver. With housing come various bills too. We will take a look at what housing in Calgary looks like. Namely, if you want to rent a place, you can expect the average rent from $750 to $1000 per month for studio apartments. Additionally, you can expect bills priced from $200 to $300 per month for water, electricity, and heating during winter. That’s why finding a housemate is suggested because you can split the bills and rent!If you want to buy a place, the median house price goes from $420.000 to $470.000 for three-room property which is suitable for small families! However, you can choose a type of housing based on your personal preferences.

    Transport

    Car owners can expect an average gas price of $1,54 per liter. We all know that driving is the easiest way of transporting, however; it can be a bit expensive. You also need to hire quality car movers in Canada that will help you in moving your vehicle. If you prefer riding a car to a train or a bus, you can find Uber or Car2Go, fit for short journeys. On the other hand, in Calgary, you can find average individual train and bus fares of $3.30. You can also buy a monthly pass which is $103.

    a person calculating cost of living in calgary vs vancouver

    You need to consider the different costs of living and lifestyles in Calgary vs Vancouver

    Food and drinks

    Here we need to consider a few things. Firstly, if you prefer eating out, be prepared for an average price of $30 for a three-course meal once a month. This also can be applied to date nights out. However, the average price for a mid-range restaurant in Calgary is around $14 to $20. Coffee lovers can expect an average price of $5 for a cup of coffee in the morning. If you’re a fan of good coffee, you’ll certainly want to search for Canadian moving services to here right away. On the other hand, if you like having homemade food, be mindful of groceries prices. Average groceries prices in Calgary are around $400 per month. Keep in mind that meat and dairy products are a little bit more expensive.

    Entertainment and recreation

    There are many ways of having fun in Calgary. Firstly, expect the median price for a cinema to be $14 per person. For drinking, in Calgary, you will find the median price for an alcoholic drink, like beer, to be somewhat from $6 to $9. For skiing learners, you can expect a full lesson and gear for skiing to be around $200. Of course, this price drops if you have personal equipment. Average fitness and swimming fees go from $6 to $8. Keep in mind that some of the health care services are covered in Alberta and some are not. Those who are not covered by health insurance must pay for the service on the spot. First and foremost, apply for health insurance and do research on what medical services are free! In case of emergency, private medical clinics are often visited and one appointment for a quick checkout can go from $100 upwards.

    a group of friends during a night out

    Nights out can be an expensive way of entertainment

    There you have it! We have covered the general things of living for newbies that plan to move to Calgary. However, the move wouldn’t be possible without the best cross Canada moving solutions which will help you in moving across all of Canada.

    Meet Vancouver

    The principle of representing the cost of living in Vancouver is pretty much the same. We will take a look at housing, transportation, the median price of bills, entertainment, and plenty more. As we mentioned before, Vancouver is regarded as one of the best cities to move to in Canada. In the rest of the article, we will see how Vancouver justifies that title in our Calgary vs Vancouver comparison! Only the best long distance moving company in Vancouver can help you in meeting this wonderful city!

    Housing

    For those preferring to rent a place, you can find a one-bedroom apartment for around $1770 per month, as the affordable option. The prices mostly depend on the area where you want to live. Therefore, in Vancouver downtown, you will find a one-bedroom apartment for up to $2000 per month. While bills are considered, you can expect average bills to cost around $80, while the Internet bill is close to $70. Doing the math and adding an average phone bill of $75, we get $2110 for rent and for bills per month. That is what life in Vancouver is!

    Commuting in Vancouver

    The average gas price in Vancouver is $2,20 per liter. If you need a parking spot for your car, expect an hourly rate of parking in Vancouver to be from $1 up to $7 per hour. This is fit for short breaks. Before booking a parking spot, make sure to find the most affordable one. On the other hand, street parking in Vancouver is free from 10 pm to 9 the next morning every day. On the other hand, if you prefer riding a train to driving, you can expect an average price of train fare to be $93 per month, which makes an individual train ticket around $3 per ride. The additional way of transportation could be Uber or taxis for short trips.

    a person looking at the phone while riding a train and searching for the cheapest options between calgary vs vancouver

    Public transportation is the most affordable way of commuting

    Food and drinks

    For those making their own food at home, keep in mind that the average price of groceries in Vancouver is $221 for a single person. Similar to Calgary, meat and dairy products hold a high price. Espresso coffee is around $3.50 per cup and if we do the math correctly, the annual rate cost of coffee is close to $170, if you buy it every day. This only regards regular coffee. In addition, a meal in a low-cost restaurant can cost you up to $25, which on the monthly rate costs $100, and on the annual rate it can go up to $1200. An average fast food meal can cost up to $8. Although cooking in the peace of your own home is fun, sometimes you need to dine out, especially if you plan on having a weekend night out! Additionally, if you like having a relaxing drink with your friends at the bar on weekend, you can find an average cocktail to be around $15. Sodas, such as Pepsi or Coca Cola can go up to $2,70, and a bottle of beer can go from $7,50 to $9.

    Miscellaneous

    Vancouver offers many spots for entertainment besides partying on the weekend. The average price for a cinema ticket is $17. Fitness classes and passes to recreation centers are around $60 for one adult per month. Tennis courts are available on weekends for $17 based on an hourly rate. The overall cost of recreational fees goes up to $4624 for one household. The general cost of shopping has been changing in Vancouver recently. An average household spends around $3375 on clothes whose daily cost is around $120. The cost of health care can go up to $2780. Keep in mind to apply for health insurance! An average household spends around $1691. This applies to buying textbooks, notebooks, and everything necessary for studying. 

    a person debating between calgary vs vancouver

    There are many things to take care of and spend money on

    Calgary vs Vancouver: the overview

    This was a long ride. However, we made it to the end! We compared two great cities in Canada and their cost of living. Now, the decision is on you. Where do you want to live? Did these cities meet your standards? Whatever you pick, all you need is to hire our reputable long distance moving for a stress-free relocation.

    An overview of Calgary’s cost of living would look something like this:

    • Housing and bills. The median price of everything together would be $1125 per month for studio apartments. However, this can change if you seek a housemate.
    • Transport. Close to $50 for daily visits to the gas station. A monthly rate of public transportation fee is $103
    • Food and drinks. For dining out in cheap restaurants, you will pay $510 on a monthly rate. For groceries, the average price is $400 per month.
    • Healthcare. The average price of private medical appointments starts from $100.

    An overview of Vancouver’s cost of living is somewhat different. Here is what it looks like:

    • Housing. The average rent with bills is around $2210 per month for one person.
    • Foods and drinks. Groceries cost $221 for one person on average. Eating out in a mid-range restaurant can be around $100 per month.
    • Transportation. Average car prices are around $70 on a daily basis if we include frequent stops at gas stations and parking spots. The average monthly train fee is around $93.
    • Other. The average cost of recreation for one household is $4624. An average person spends around $120 on shopping.
    a young curly-headed woman smiling in front of the laptop

    You need a detailed overview of the cost of living in the city you want to move to

    Get the best out of Calgary and Vancouver with the right movers

    We know these numbers may look intimidating, but there is no need to feel like that! From this, we can conclude that living in Calgary vs Vancouver can be very similar. Additionally, the average salary in Calgary is $60,400 which is higher than the Canadian standard salary. If you are looking for a peaceful life with many amazing places to visit, Calgary is your top priority. On the other hand, the average salary in Vancouver is $56,503. Overall, you should choose a new location based on your personal preferences. You can only do that with experienced movers that can prepare you for relocation. Moving isn’t easy, but it is always so exciting! Look at it as a fun adventure full of new discoveries! We wish you a happy, easy, and successful move!

    References:

    https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/minimum-amount-need-live-alone-vancouver-2018

    https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Vancouver

    https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1110022201

     

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