🇺🇸 Austin vs 🇨🇦 Calgary

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇺🇸

Austin

United States

$2,523–$3,995/mo

$2,523 – $3,995 / month (local)

🇨🇦

Calgary

Canada

$2,215–$3,508/mo

C$3,076 – C$4,872 / month (local)

Austin is 14% more expensive

Calgary wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryAustin (USD)Calgary (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,892–$2,944$1,662–$2,585🟢 Calgary
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$999–$1,577$877–$1,385🟢 Calgary
Utilities$79–$152$69–$134🟢 Calgary
Groceries$399–$599$351–$526🟢 Calgary
Eating out (mid-range meal)$53–$95$46–$83🟢 Calgary
Public transport (monthly)$100–$121$88–$106🟢 Calgary
Internet & Mobile$32–$53$28–$46🟢 Calgary
Gym membership$37–$68$32–$60🟢 Calgary
Cinema ticket$15–$19$13–$17🟢 Calgary
Monthly total (single)$2,523–$3,995$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

Housing4.8 / 10 · 4.8 / 10
Austin
Calgary
Safety9.1 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Healthcare9.1 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Education8.7 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Environment9.5 / 10 · 8.8 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Economy7.8 / 10 · 7.1 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Culture8.4 / 10 · 7.7 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary
Internet8.8 / 10 · 8.1 / 10
Austin▲ better
Calgary

Who should choose which city?

Choose Austin if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Austin offers vs Calgary
  • ✓No state income tax
  • ✓Music scene
  • ✓Startups
  • ✓Tech transplants

Choose Calgary if…

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

You might also like…

📊

Full Austin guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Austin →

📊

Full Calgary guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Calgary →