Calgary vs Hamilton Cost of Living (2026)
Hamilton is about 5% more expensive than Calgary, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,800 a month in Hamilton vs $1,700 in Calgary.
The Verdict
Calgary / month
$2,782
Hamilton / month
$2,843
Rent, groceries, transit, utilities, dining and gym for one person.
Salary match: what you'd need to earn
Salary in Calgary
$100,000
Take-home $74,459 · $6,205/mo
Needed in Hamilton
$104,968
Take-home $77,610 · $6,468/mo
To keep the same lifestyle in Hamilton you'd need $4,968 more a year (+5%).
Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.
Expense Breakdown
Average Rent
1-Bed City Center
Calgary
$1,700
Hamilton
$1,800
Groceries
Monthly Basket (1 Person)
Calgary
$420
Hamilton
$420
Transportation
Monthly Transit Pass
Calgary
$112
Hamilton
$110
Utilities
Electricity, Heat, Water
Calgary
$200
Hamilton
$175
Dining Out
Est. Monthly Spend
Calgary
$300
Hamilton
$290
Gym Membership
Monthly Fee
Calgary
$50
Hamilton
$48
Which City Should You Choose?
Calgary, AB: Alberta's energy-sector hub — no provincial sales tax, moderate rent, and a young, mobile population.
Hamilton, ON: A short GO Train ride from Toronto — popular with people priced out of the GTA looking for cheaper rent.
Estimates are based on 2026 average listings and public cost-of-living indices for a single-person household; actual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamilton more expensive than Calgary?
Yes. Hamilton costs about 5% more than Calgary for a single person, based on 2026 rent, groceries and transit. A 1-bedroom rents for about $1,800 a month in Hamilton vs $1,700 in Calgary.
Is it cheaper to live in Calgary or Hamilton?
Calgary is roughly 5% cheaper overall once you weigh rent, groceries and transit, based on 2026 estimates.
How much more rent will I pay in Calgary vs Hamilton?
A typical 1-bedroom city-centre rental runs $1,700/month in Calgary versus $1,800/month in Hamilton.
What salary do I need in Hamilton to match my Calgary lifestyle?
A $100,000 salary in Calgary is roughly equivalent to $104,968 in Hamilton once you adjust for the local cost of living.
Is Hamilton a good place to move to from Calgary?
A short GO Train ride from Toronto — popular with people priced out of the GTA looking for cheaper rent. Compare the category breakdown above against your own budget before deciding.
Plan your move
Advertisement