“Is it better living in Calgary vs Toronto?” That’s what you want to know, isn’t it? When deciding where to live, take into account what you are looking for in your desired city and how you want to live your life there.
On top of that, you can’t escape a MISSION in which you must select a city to live in while you are quite skeptical. Almost everyone goes through the same situation at the end of their selection process. So, you are not alone.
Trust me, it is easy to remove options that do not match your expectations. But if you have shortlisted 2 cities and they are both competing for your attention, then it can be quite difficult for you to pick the best city for your needs without expert guidance.
Therefore, I am here to share the necessary information and what to consider before choosing the right city for you.
We are going to scratch together on the surface of the Wall of Silence.
Which city do you prefer to live in, Toronto or Calgary? Let the answer sit for a while if you aren’t sure. Start by reading the basic information about Calgary and Toronto.
Table 1: Check the following table for the brief on weather (Calgary Vs. Toronto) –
| Calgary | Toronto |
Weather Type | Dry cold | Extreme weather |
Temperature range | January: -3 to -14°C (26 to 6.8°F). April: -2 to 11°C (28 to 52°F). July: 10 to 23°C (50 to 73 °F). October: 0 to 12°C (32 to 54°F) | January: From -7 to 0°C (19 – 32°F). April: 4 -12 °C (39 – 56°F). July: 18 – 27°C (64 – 80 °F). October: 7 – 14°C (44 – 57°F) |
Warmest Month | July | July |
Coldest Month | January | January |
Wettest Month | June | June |
Daylight hours | Highest: 15.5 hrs (June) Lowest: 8.9 hrs (December) | Highest: 15.4 hrs (June) Lowest: 9 hrs (December) |
Calgary Board of Education is the authority of education programs in Calgary. To learn more, check their website here.
The following programs are available under this education board –
About the best university in Calgary: The University of Calgary
Category: Public research university
Founded in: 1908
Rank: National Rank #7 (2022), Global rank #169 (2022)
**My opinion: Not only The University of Calgary is available here. There are some other quality universities available like Mount Royal University, Ambrose University, Alberta University of the Arts, etc. Ready to take admission? Calgary is waiting for you.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is the authority for education programs in Toronto, Ontario. Check TDSB website for more information.
About the best university in Toronto: the University of Toronto, also known as U of T.
Category: Public research university.
Founded in: 1827 named King’s College by Royal charter.
Rank: National Rank #1 (2022), Global rank is #16 (2022)
**My opinion: Toronto also offers quality universities like Toronto Metropolitan University [previously operating as Ryerson University] (#25 in Canada, #933 Global Ranking), York University (#17 in Canada, #456 Global Ranking) etc. Are you a student & have enough interest to enroll here? Well make a plan – move to Toronto.
Table 2: The following table shows the comparison of living cost among two cities, Calgary and Toronto –
| Average cost in Calgary | Average cost in Toronto |
Studio | $915 – $1075 | $1200 – $1800 |
1 Bedroom | $1025 – $1400 | $1400 – $2400 |
2 Bedroom | $1150 – $1900 | $1800 – $3700 |
3+ Bedroom | $1600 – $2400 | $2000 – $4500 |
Home Insurance Rates | $23 – $167 | $45 – $174 |
Car Insurance Rates | $1316 | $1528 |
Phone & internet | $75-80 | $127 |
Groceries | $214 – $300 | $280 – $350 |
Fitness and Personal Care | $65 | $55 |
*Note: The Cost of groceries is getting higher day by day due to the inflation of recent years after the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis. So, it could be varied on the stability of economic sustainability of the time you are reading this article.
Calgary is located in the province of Alberta & Toronto is in the Ontario province. Due to Canadian provincial law, income taxes in Calgary & Toronto differ.
Table 3: The name of provinces & the range of income tax rates for Calgary and Toronto city as follows –
| Calgary | Toronto |
City under the province | Calgary is a city in the province of Alberta. | Toronto is a city in the province of Ontario. |
Income Tax Range | The income tax rate ranges from 10% to 15% | The income tax rate ranges from 5.05% to 13.16% |
Detailed Income Tax Rate | ● 10% on the taxable income of $131,220 or less, plus ● 12% on the taxable income, which is more than $131,220 but not exceeding $157,464, plus ● 13% on the taxable income, which is more than $157,464 not exceeding $209,952, plus ● 14% on the taxable income, which is more than $209,952 not exceeding $314,928, plus ● 15% on the taxable income, which is more than $314,928 | ● 5.05% on the taxable income of $46,226 or less, plus ● 9.15% on the taxable income, which is more than $46,226 but not exceeding $92,454, plus ● 11.16% on the taxable income, which is more than $92,454 but not exceeding $150,000, plus ● 12.16% on the taxable income, which is more than $150,000 but not exceeding $220,000, plus ● 13.16% on the taxable income, which is more than $220,000 |
Calgary city has convenient transit options. The fare rates are clearly stated on the website. If you want to save money on public transport, check Calgary Pathways & Bikeways. And if you are interested in the Calgary transit statistics, here you go.
Table 4: Calgary Public Transport Cost
Fare Rates | ||
Category | Cash fares [Validity: 90 minutes] | Tickets (cash fares bought in books of 10) |
Adult [Age limit: 18 & older] | $3.50 | $35.00 |
Youth [Age limit: 6 – 17], full time students [Age limit: 18 to 21] | $2.40 | $24.00 |
Children [Age limit: 5 and under]
| Free | Free |
Passes | ||
Category | Day Pass [Validity: From the time of purchase until the end of service that day] | Monthly Pass [Validity: For 1 calendar month] |
Adult [Age limit: 18 & older] | $11.00 | $109.00 |
Youth [Age limit: 6 – 17] | $8 | $79.00 |
Special | ||
Airport | $11 [Route: From Calgary International Airport to Downtown, provided by Route 300) | |
Low Income Monthly Pass | Amount is based on your income | |
Senior monthly regular [Age limit: 65 & above] | $150 | |
Senior monthly low income [Age limit: 65 & above] | $25 | |
Pets | Free | |
Table 5: Toronto Public Transport Cost
Methods of payment | For Adult | Age(13-19) & Age 65+ |
Cash | $3.25 | $2.30 |
PRESTO | $3.20 | $2.25 |
TTC Monthly Pass | $156 | $128.15 |
12-Month Pass | $ 143 | $ 117.45 |
Downtown Express Monthly Pass | $201.90 | $174.05 |
12-Month Downtown Express Monthly Pass | $188 | $163.35 |
5 Best Neighbourhoods (Out of 195) to Live in Calgary:
The North West area is surely more well-served by the C-Train than the Southwest. You will find more open spaces or biking roads like Nose Hill Park in the Northwest region.
Calgary Airport is located in the North East region. Note that the crime rate is higher in the North East region. If possible, try to avoid this region. Southeast Calgary is renowned as an industrial hub.
5 Best Neighbourhoods (Out of 158) to Live in Toronto:
Pick one that is closest to your workplace & schools of your kids.
Want to learn more about these 5 best neighborhoods? Read the following blog:
5 Neighborhoods with the Best Elementary Schools in Toronto [Shouldn’t Ignore #2]
The important information about living in Calgary vs. Toronto is now at your fingertips. No other information is required to answer the question – “Which one is suitable for you?”
So, best wishes for your new destination.
Save the URL for later use or share on social media.
Thanks for reading!
Golden State Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Moving to California So you are planning on moving to California? Imagine… Waves crashing on sun-kissed beaches, scenic drives along the coastline, scrumptious burritos, and star-studded Hollywood parties – this isn’t a trailer for the latest California love movie but a
A Beginner’s Guide to Moving Cross Country If you want to enjoy settling into your new home, you must get things started properly. So, let’s go over a beginner’s guide to moving cross country! Assessing your reasons for the move Assessing your reasons for moving cross country is a critical
Golden State Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Moving to California So you are planning on moving to California? Imagine… Waves crashing on sun-kissed beaches, scenic drives along the coastline, scrumptious burritos, and star-studded Hollywood parties – this isn’t a trailer for the latest California love movie but a
What is the Cheapest Way to Move Your Stuff Across Canada [Guaranteed $$$ Saving] What is the cheapest way to move across Canada? Answer: Moving yourself with a few items
3 Best Moving Companies in Pickering to Choose from for your condo, apartment, home or office move. Oh, hello there! You are probably interested in finding out the best moving
3 Best Moving Companies in Pickering to Choose from for your condo, apartment, home or office move. Oh, hello there! You are probably interested in finding out the best moving
The 5 Best Office Movers Kanata, ON To assist our readers, the Executive Moving concierge team has researched and compiled a list of the 5 best office movers Kanata. When
