Is $20,000 a good salary in Calgary, Alberta?

Is $20,000 a good salary in Calgary, Alberta?

$20,000 is $44,600 less than the average yearly salary of $64,600 in Calgary. A salary of $20,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $18,435 per year after taxes, or $1,536 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment. The average household income in Calgary is $129,000.

Calgary, Alberta
Updated: December 1, 2024

Average Cost of Living per Month in Calgary

The average cost of living in Calgary is $3,727/month for a single person who rents.This average is based on many factors including the cost of housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment.
Average cost of living
$3,727/month
Monthly net income of $20,000/year
$1,536/month
Average total income in 2020
$64,600
Average total household income in 2020
$129,000

Average Salary in Calgary

The average salary in Calgary is $64,600, which is 18.6% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $20,000 a year in Calgary makes 69% less than the average working person in Calgary and will take home about $18,435.
Net Annual Pay:
$18,435
Income tax breakdown
Hourly Salary:
$10.26
Salary breakdown

Cost of Living Calculator

Below are the details used to generate the average Cost of Living for Calgary. Change the inputs to match your lifestyle and see how it compares to the average cost of living and a salary of $20,000.
Renter
Homeowner
Housing

Housing

The average monthly cost of rental housing in Calgary is $1,603.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre, Rent Per Month
$1,998
$1,600
$2,500
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre, Rent Per Month
$1,603
$1,300
$2,000
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre, Rent Per Month
$3,107
$2,500
$5,000
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre, Rent Per Month
$2,600
$2,000
$3,500
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Transit
Driver
Transportation

Transportation

The average monthly cost for a driver in Calgary is $625.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Gasoline (1 liter), Transportation
$1.53
$1.37
$1.69
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car), Transportation
$33,978
$33,978
$40,000
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car), Transportation
$28,948
$27,383
$32,000
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Groceries

Groceries

The average person spends $530 on groceries per month in Calgary.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Milk (regular), (1 liter), Markets
$2.90
$1.52
$6.00
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g), Markets
$3.67
$2.05
$6.00
Eggs (regular) (12), Markets
$5.14
$3.79
$8.00
Local Cheese (1kg), Markets
$19.85
$10.00
$60.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle), Markets
$2.66
$1.48
$4.50
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range), Markets
$20.00
$14.00
$30.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle), Markets
$3.88
$2.00
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle), Markets
$5.43
$2.75
$9.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro), Markets
$20.00
$16.00
$27.00
Apples (1kg), Markets
$6.00
$2.25
$8.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg), Markets
$18.29
$10.00
$30.00
Oranges (1kg), Markets
$5.35
$2.14
$8.80
Potato (1kg), Markets
$3.74
$1.50
$6.61
Lettuce (1 head), Markets
$3.73
$2.99
$6.00
Rice (white), (1kg), Markets
$4.95
$2.75
$11.97
Tomato (1kg), Markets
$5.73
$3.00
$8.00
Banana (1kg), Markets
$1.94
$1.66
$5.00
Onion (1kg), Markets
$3.28
$2.00
$5.49
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat), Markets
$21.30
$11.73
$28.40
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Utilities

Utilities

The average monthly cost of utilities in Calgary is $220.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment, Utilities (Monthly)
$290.17
$200.00
$425.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL), Utilities (Monthly)
$86.78
$60.00
$130.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data, Utilities (Monthly)
$60.17
$35.00
$100.00
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Leisure & Entertainment

Leisure & Entertainment

The average person in Calgary spends $212 on leisure & entertainment per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult, Sports And Leisure
$76.33
$50.00
$120.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure
$60.55
$20.00
$80.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat, Sports And Leisure
$16.99
$14.00
$22.50
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Clothing

Clothing

The average person in Calgary spends $42 on clothing per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar), Clothing And Shoes
$78.54
$50.00
$120.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...), Clothing And Shoes
$64.57
$35.00
$90.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range), Clothing And Shoes
$120.73
$90.00
$160.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes, Clothing And Shoes
$151.62
$90.00
$300.00
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Restaurants

Restaurants

The average person in Calgary spends $345 on restaurants per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant, Restaurants
$25.00
$17.00
$45.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course, Restaurants
$100.00
$75.00
$200.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal), Restaurants
$15.00
$12.00
$16.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught), Restaurants
$8.00
$5.00
$9.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle), Restaurants
$9.00
$7.00
$12.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle), Restaurants
$2.84
$2.00
$4.00
Water (0.33 liter bottle) , Restaurants
$2.36
$2.00
$4.00
Cappuccino (regular), Restaurants
$5.34
$3.50
$7.21
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
Other

Other

The average person in Calgary spends $150 on miscellaneous goods and services per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child, Childcare
$1,278
$1,000
$2,200
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child, Childcare
$25,500
$18,000
$35,000
Updated: 2024-12-01 (371 contributors in the last 12 months)
General Disclaimer: This tool is designed for approximation purposes only and should not be used to replace a legal or accounting authority. To simplify the process, some variables are assumed to calculate the numbers included on this page. The results of this calculator should not be relied upon to determine career or tax decisions.

Your Results

Disclaimer: These numbers estimate what it costs to live in Calgary based on Numbeo data. People can live in the city for much less, while others may need much more to fund their lifestyle.
Your cost of living
$3,727/month
Monthly net income of $20,000/year
$1,536/month

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Most affordable cities in Alberta

1. Canmore, Alberta
Avg. Salary $72,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,531
Avg. Cost of Living $3,624
Affordability Index
125.02%
2. Cochrane, Alberta
Avg. Salary $66,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,207
Avg. Cost of Living $3,426
Affordability Index
122.8%
3. St. Albert, Alberta
Avg. Salary $68,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,299
Avg. Cost of Living $3,561
Affordability Index
120.72%
4. Cold Lake, Alberta
Avg. Salary $65,100
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,117
Avg. Cost of Living $3,448
Affordability Index
119.41%
5. Okotoks, Alberta
Avg. Salary $64,400
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,080
Avg. Cost of Living $3,444
Affordability Index
118.47%
6. Medicine Hat, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,422
Avg. Cost of Living $2,957
Affordability Index
115.72%
7. Edmonton, Alberta
Avg. Salary $56,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,680
Avg. Cost of Living $3,184
Affordability Index
115.58%
8. Red Deer, Alberta
Avg. Salary $55,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,595
Avg. Cost of Living $3,168
Affordability Index
113.48%
9. Hinton, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,881
Avg. Cost of Living $3,438
Affordability Index
112.87%
10. Grande Prairie, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,650
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,830
Avg. Cost of Living $3,423
Affordability Index
111.9%
11. Lethbridge, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,500
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,436
Avg. Cost of Living $3,087
Affordability Index
111.32%
12. Slave Lake, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,750
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,836
Avg. Cost of Living $3,499
Affordability Index
109.62%
13. Calgary, Alberta
Avg. Salary $64,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,091
Avg. Cost of Living $3,740
Affordability Index
109.38%
14. Spruce Grove, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,950
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,899
Avg. Cost of Living $3,589
Affordability Index
108.64%
15. High Level, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,900
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,844
Avg. Cost of Living $3,570
Affordability Index
107.66%
16. Airdrie, Alberta
Avg. Salary $61,150
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,910
Avg. Cost of Living $3,669
Affordability Index
106.56%
17. Athabasca, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,500
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,875
Avg. Cost of Living $3,645
Affordability Index
106.32%
18. Whitecourt, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,862
Avg. Cost of Living $3,636
Affordability Index
106.22%
19. Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Avg. Salary $66,400
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,186
Avg. Cost of Living $3,976
Affordability Index
105.28%
20. Peace River, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,850
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,894
Avg. Cost of Living $3,721
Affordability Index
104.64%
21. Beaverlodge, Alberta
Avg. Salary $55,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,595
Avg. Cost of Living $3,558
Affordability Index
101.04%
22. Strathmore, Alberta
Avg. Salary $54,950
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,578
Avg. Cost of Living $3,558
Affordability Index
100.55%
23. Bonnyville, Alberta
Avg. Salary $53,900
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,517
Avg. Cost of Living $3,525
Affordability Index
99.78%
24. Saint Paul, Alberta
Avg. Salary $53,650
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,503
Avg. Cost of Living $3,570
Affordability Index
98.11%
25. Drayton Valley, Alberta
Avg. Salary $54,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,557
Avg. Cost of Living $3,654
Affordability Index
97.36%
26. Lacombe, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,700
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,448
Avg. Cost of Living $3,552
Affordability Index
97.07%
27. Drumheller, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,050
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,410
Avg. Cost of Living $3,520
Affordability Index
96.89%
28. Camrose, Alberta
Avg. Salary $51,750
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,393
Avg. Cost of Living $3,632
Affordability Index
93.42%
29. Stettler, Alberta
Avg. Salary $49,960
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,290
Avg. Cost of Living $3,558
Affordability Index
92.47%
30. Pincher Creek, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,640
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,329
Avg. Cost of Living $3,627
Affordability Index
91.79%
31. Brooks, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,680
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,331
Avg. Cost of Living $3,645
Affordability Index
91.4%
32. Sundre, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,440
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,318
Avg. Cost of Living $3,660
Affordability Index
90.65%
33. Banff, Alberta
Avg. Salary $51,000
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,350
Avg. Cost of Living $3,744
Affordability Index
89.47%
34. Barrhead, Alberta
Avg. Salary $49,080
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,239
Avg. Cost of Living $3,645
Affordability Index
88.87%
35. Vegreville, Alberta
Avg. Salary $48,920
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,230
Avg. Cost of Living $3,645
Affordability Index
88.61%
36. Three Hills, Alberta
Avg. Salary $45,960
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,059
Avg. Cost of Living $3,660
Affordability Index
83.59%
The Affordability Index is based on a single, non-homeowner, who owns a car.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.
Rank City Avg. Salary Avg. Monthly Net pay Avg. Cost of Living Affordability Index
01
1
 Canmore, Alberta $72,800 $4,531 $3,624
12501
125.02%
02
2
 Cochrane, Alberta $66,800 $4,207 $3,426
12280
122.8%
03
3
 St. Albert, Alberta $68,800 $4,299 $3,561
12072
120.72%
04
4
 Cold Lake, Alberta $65,100 $4,117 $3,448
11940
119.41%
05
5
 Okotoks, Alberta $64,400 $4,080 $3,444
11847
118.47%
06
6
 Medicine Hat, Alberta $52,250 $3,422 $2,957
11572
115.72%
07
7
 Edmonton, Alberta $56,800 $3,680 $3,184
11557
115.58%
08
8
 Red Deer, Alberta $55,250 $3,595 $3,168
11347
113.48%
09
9
 Hinton, Alberta $60,600 $3,881 $3,438
11287
112.87%
10
10
 Grande Prairie, Alberta $59,650 $3,830 $3,423
11190
111.9%
11
11
 Lethbridge, Alberta $52,500 $3,436 $3,087
11131
111.32%
12
12
 Slave Lake, Alberta $59,750 $3,836 $3,499
10962
109.62%
13
13
 Calgary, Alberta $64,600 $4,091 $3,740
10937
109.38%
14
14
 Spruce Grove, Alberta $60,950 $3,899 $3,589
10863
108.64%
15
15
 High Level, Alberta $59,900 $3,844 $3,570
10766
107.66%
16
16
 Airdrie, Alberta $61,150 $3,910 $3,669
10655
106.56%
17
17
 Athabasca, Alberta $60,500 $3,875 $3,645
10631
106.32%
18
18
 Whitecourt, Alberta $60,250 $3,862 $3,636
10621
106.22%
19
19
 Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta $66,400 $4,186 $3,976
10528
105.28%
20
20
 Peace River, Alberta $60,850 $3,894 $3,721
10464
104.64%
21
21
 Beaverlodge, Alberta $55,250 $3,595 $3,558
10103
101.04%
22
22
 Strathmore, Alberta $54,950 $3,578 $3,558
10055
100.55%
23
23
 Bonnyville, Alberta $53,900 $3,517 $3,525
09977
99.78%
24
24
 Saint Paul, Alberta $53,650 $3,503 $3,570
09811
98.11%
25
25
 Drayton Valley, Alberta $54,600 $3,557 $3,654
09735
97.36%
26
26
 Lacombe, Alberta $52,700 $3,448 $3,552
09706
97.07%
27
27
 Drumheller, Alberta $52,050 $3,410 $3,520
09688
96.89%
28
28
 Camrose, Alberta $51,750 $3,393 $3,632
09342
93.42%
29
29
 Stettler, Alberta $49,960 $3,290 $3,558
09246
92.47%
30
30
 Pincher Creek, Alberta $50,640 $3,329 $3,627
09178
91.79%
31
31
 Brooks, Alberta $50,680 $3,331 $3,645
09139
91.4%
32
32
 Sundre, Alberta $50,440 $3,318 $3,660
09064
90.65%
33
33
 Banff, Alberta $51,000 $3,350 $3,744
08947
89.47%
34
34
 Barrhead, Alberta $49,080 $3,239 $3,645
08886
88.87%
35
35
 Vegreville, Alberta $48,920 $3,230 $3,645
08861
88.61%
36
36
 Three Hills, Alberta $45,960 $3,059 $3,660
08358
83.59%
The Affordability Index is based on a single, non-homeowner, who owns a car.
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.

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