Calgary Cost of Living 2026
Groceries · Dining out · Public transit · Car ownership
Groceries, Dining and Daily Expenses
Groceries. Calgary grocery prices track the national average at approximately $350 to $600 per month for a single adult. A family of four spends $1,000 to $1,200 per month. Food prices are expected to rise 4 to 6 percent in 2026 according to the Canada Food Price Report, adding roughly $1,000 per year to a typical family bill. Alberta has no PST, but grocery items are already GST-exempt federally, so the tax advantage does not apply to grocery spending specifically.
Dining out. A meal for two at a mid-range Calgary restaurant costs $60 to $90. A fast-food meal runs $12 to $18 per person. Calgary restaurant prices are comparable to Toronto and Vancouver for equivalent quality. Households eating out three times per week add $400 to $600 per month to their food budget.
Transportation Costs in Calgary 2026
Transportation is the most variable cost in the cost of living in Calgary depending on whether you rely on transit or own a vehicle.
Public transit. Calgary Transit's CTrain is free in the downtown core (7th Avenue free fare zone). A monthly transit pass costs $112 to $115. A single ride is $3.70 for 90 minutes. Calgary rent prices 2026 in inner-city communities along CTrain routes can be $100 to $300 per month higher than suburban equivalents, but the transit savings on a second vehicle can offset this entirely.
Car ownership. Most Calgarians outside the inner city own at least one vehicle. The average cost of living Calgary for car owners includes: gasoline at $1.40 to $1.60 per litre (May 2026), Alberta auto insurance averaging $1,600 to $2,600 per year (among the highest in Canada), downtown parking at $300 to $500 per month for reserved spots, and maintenance and registration at $150 to $250 per month amortized.
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