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Calgary vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐จ๐ฆ Calgary
๐บ๐ธ Washington, D.C.
At a glance
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (32%โ), Transit (24%โ)
- Where Calgary is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (47%โ), Hotel night (42%โ), Entry ticket (39%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Calgary | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 25$18.4 | $ 22$22 | Calgary โ16% |
| Street food1 item | C$ 12$8.82 | $ 14$14 | Calgary โ37% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 55$40.4 | $ 50$50 | Calgary โ19% |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 6$4.41 | $ 6$6 | Calgary โ26% |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | $ 8.5$8.5 | Calgary โ22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 15$11 | $ 17$17 | Calgary โ35% |
| Bottled water | C$ 2.5$1.84 | $ 2.3$2.3 | Calgary โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | C$ 3$2.21 | $ 3$3 | Calgary โ26% |
| Taxi5 km in town | C$ 17$12.5 | $ 14$14 | Calgary โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 10$7.35 | $ 9$9 | Calgary โ18% |
| Transitone ride | C$ 4$2.94 | $ 2.25$2.25 | Washington, D.C. โ24% |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 40$29.4 | $ 35$35 | Calgary โ16% |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 180$132 | $ 230$230 | Calgary โ42% |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 1,600$1,176 | $ 2,200$2,200 | Calgary โ47% |
| Laundry | C$ 5.1$3.75 | $ 6$6 | Calgary โ38% |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 35$25.7 | $ 30$30 | Calgary โ14% |
| Haircutcut | C$ 33$24.3 | $ 35$35 | Calgary โ31% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 100$73.5 | $ 110$110 | Calgary โ33% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 100$73.5 | $ 50$50 | Washington, D.C. โ32% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 25$18.4 | $ 30$30 | Calgary โ39% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Calgary or Washington, D.C.?
Calgary is 34% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $274 vs $402; a month $4,857 vs $7,631.
Which is easier to travel, Calgary or Washington, D.C.?
About the same: Calgary 1.4/5, Washington, D.C. 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Calgary and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Calgary is about $4,857 and Washington, D.C. about $7,631 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.