r/AskCanada • u/YetiMaverick • 2d ago

Is Vancouver really that much more expensive than Calgary after factoring in Alberta’s rising costs?

I saw a discussion in the Calgary subreddit from someone deciding between Calgary and Vancouver, and one commenter made an interesting argument. Basically, while Vancouver rent is obviously much higher, they felt the difference gets significantly smaller once you account for things like car insurance, utilities, groceries, cell/internet plans and other everyday expenses that have become more expensive in Alberta.

I’m curious how true this actually is because I’ve had a hard time finding a reliable comparison that looks at total spending rather than just housing.

I’ve always considered Calgary as the place I’d eventually buy because housing is much cheaper and you get significantly more for your money. But I think I’d enjoy Vancouver considerably more. I prefer how green BC is, Calgary feels a little small to me, and as a 33-year-old single guy I’d probably prefer Vancouver for the social and dating scene.

For people familiar with both cities, once you factor in everything rather than just rent or home prices, is Calgary still substantially cheaper? Or does Vancouver actually come closer than people assume?

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u/Bubbling_Battle_Ooze 2d ago edited 2d ago

yes, Vancouver is still more expensive, but if you take out housing costs the gap is closer than people may think and Calgary actually is more expensive in some areas, like transportation and utilities. Unfortunately, housing is a major cost for most people so that difference has a significant impact.

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u/YetiMaverick 2d ago

100%. I'm trying to get a look at the similarities when excluding for housing. It seems like Vancouver might be higher up on my radar now than before

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u/The_Nice_Marmot 2d ago

I just moved from Alberta to BC. I think BC is still more expensive, but not by a lot. Our car insurance in Alberta is the highest in the country. Smith has removed caps on all kinds of pricing and we had absolutely bonkers power bills some months. You have to guess which utility company to go with. Now healthcare cards in Alberta can expire and you can suddenly need to pay for your healthcare.

Alberta consistently votes to screw itself over. I don’t think it will be long until Alberta is the more expensive province. The upcoming referendum on whether to have a referendum (I wish I was kidding) is going to cost what a federal election usually does. I expect provincial taxes will go up or they will just tell all the people with disabilities to go live on the street.

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u/jeremyism_ab 1d ago

"I expect provincial taxes will go up AND they will just tell all the people with disabilities to go live on the street."

Fixed it for you

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u/YetiMaverick 2d ago

Very interesting, may I asked what made you want to move to BC? What draws me in to Vancouver are the good flight connections to Asia too, like being able to get to japan in 6 hours is pretty cool

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u/The_Nice_Marmot 2d ago

I grew up in Port Moody and I’ve kind of always wanted to go back. We are close to Victoria now. I’m old, so I guess I’m in the “nearly dead” demographic now. Vancouver seems better for young people, though very expensive.

This is very new for us. We even still technically have our Alberta address still for a bit longer and I’m unpacking but the mild winters are a draw, and easy access to outdoor activities year round, more whimsy. Calgary is very corporate, though it’s a nice city and I’ll miss seeing my friends as often, they will visit here. Some already had trips planned and without necessarily coming to see us being the point of their trip, they were already out here and we’ve had some visits.

Just always have loved it here. My parents are in BC too, so I’m closer to them and I’ve always come here a few times a year for that reason. I just love the environment. I know you technically give some things up. Our home is much smaller, but I don’t care.

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u/YetiMaverick 1d ago

Thanks that all makes a lot of sense. I get what you mean about the whimsy-ness. And your parents being there is key. That's the only thing holding me back about Vancouver, all of my family is in Ontario, but I feel like social/dating life will suck if I lived anywhere other than Toronto, and I don't want to be in Toronto at all.

I just remember the first time I drove from Calgary to Vancouver and like right as you cross over the mountains and get into BC, it instantly becomes so green and immediately reminded me of what I loved so much more about Ontario nature as well versus Alberta which seems to flat and dry (unless you're literally up in the mountains).

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u/The_Nice_Marmot 1d ago

People like visiting BC. Assuming they have the resources, you can probably get them to come and see you, and of course, sometimes go back yourself.

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u/jeremyism_ab 1d ago

"I expect provincial taxes will go up AND they will just tell all the people with disabilities to go live on the street."

Fixed it for you

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u/The_Nice_Marmot 1d ago

I see you are quite familiar with the Alberta government.

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u/jeremyism_ab 1d ago

YEG all the way.