🇺🇸 Atlanta vs 🇨🇦 Calgary

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇺🇸

Atlanta

United States

$2,246–$3,556/mo

$2,246 – $3,556 / month (local)

🇨🇦

Calgary

Canada

$2,215–$3,508/mo

C$3,076 – C$4,872 / month (local)

Atlanta is 1% more expensive

Calgary wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryAtlanta (USD)Calgary (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,685–$2,621$1,662–$2,585🟢 Calgary
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$889–$1,404$877–$1,385🟢 Calgary
Utilities$70–$136$69–$134🟢 Calgary
Groceries$356–$533$351–$526🟢 Calgary
Eating out (mid-range meal)$47–$84$46–$83🟢 Calgary
Public transport (monthly)$89–$108$88–$106🟢 Calgary
Internet & Mobile$28–$47$28–$46🟢 Calgary
Gym membership$33–$61$32–$60🟢 Calgary
Cinema ticket$13–$17$13–$17Tie
Monthly total (single)$2,246–$3,556$2,215–$3,508🟢 Calgary

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing4.5 / 10 · 4.8 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Safety8.2 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Healthcare8.2 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Education7.8 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Environment8.6 / 10 · 8.8 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Economy6.9 / 10 · 7.1 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Culture7.5 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better
Internet7.9 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Atlanta
Calgary▲ better

Who should choose which city?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Atlanta offers vs Calgary
  • ✓Airport hub
  • ✓Film industry
  • ✓Lower cost than coasts
  • ✓Logistics

Choose Calgary if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Atlanta
  • ✓Oil & gas salaries
  • ✓Rockies proximity
  • ✓Clean
  • ✓Energy

You might also like…

📊

Full Atlanta guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Atlanta →

📊

Full Calgary guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Calgary →