Is $42,000 a good salary in Calgary, Alberta?

Is $42,000 a good salary in Calgary, Alberta?

$42,000 is $22,600 less than the average yearly salary of $64,600 in Calgary. A salary of $42,000 per year means that you would be taking home about $34,892 per year after taxes, or $2,908 per month to pay for things like housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment. The average household income in Calgary is $129,000.

Calgary, Alberta
Updated: May 1, 2026

Average Cost of Living per Month in Calgary

The average cost of living in Calgary is $3,644/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
$3,644/month
Monthly net income of $42,000/year
$2,908/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 $42,000 a year in Calgary makes 35% less than the average working person in Calgary and will take home about $34,892.
Net Annual Pay:
$34,892
Income tax breakdown
Hourly Salary:
$21.54
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 $42,000.
Renter
Homeowner
Housing

Housing

The average monthly cost of rental housing in Calgary is $1,544.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month
$1,878
$1,600
$2,200
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month
$1,544
$1,250
$1,800
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month
$2,866
$2,500
$3,500
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month
$2,396
$2,200
$2,800
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Transit
Driver
Transportation

Transportation

The average monthly cost for a driver in Calgary is $684.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Gasoline (1 Liter), Transportation
$1.41
$1.22
$1.79
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car), Transportation
$39,580
$35,000
$39,580
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car), Transportation
$29,631
$25,160
$35,000
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Groceries

Groceries

The average person spends $513 on groceries per month in Calgary.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter), Markets
$2.37
$1.59
$5.50
Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf), Markets
$3.46
$2.39
$4.50
Eggs (12, Large Size), Markets
$4.78
$4.00
$6.00
Local Cheese (1 kg), Markets
$17.30
$10.00
$37.00
Bottled Water (1.5 Liter), Markets
$2.09
$1.00
$3.00
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range), Markets
$20.00
$15.00
$25.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle), Markets
$3.65
$2.00
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Markets
$4.97
$2.75
$9.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro), Markets
$20.00
$15.00
$25.00
Apples (1 kg), Markets
$5.92
$2.25
$8.82
Chicken Fillets (1 kg), Markets
$16.07
$11.99
$21.00
Oranges (1 kg), Markets
$5.55
$3.00
$9.00
Potatoes (1 kg), Markets
$3.11
$1.20
$6.00
Lettuce (1 Head), Markets
$3.70
$3.00
$5.00
White Rice (1 kg), Markets
$5.05
$2.00
$12.40
Tomatoes (1 kg), Markets
$6.37
$3.00
$8.35
Bananas (1 kg), Markets
$1.93
$1.50
$3.00
Onions (1 kg), Markets
$4.16
$2.00
$6.61
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg), Markets
$23.18
$10.00
$31.40
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Utilities

Utilities

The average monthly cost of utilities in Calgary is $203.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage), Utilities (Monthly)
$266.89
$130.77
$460.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher), Utilities (Monthly)
$82.73
$47.30
$125.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data), Utilities (Monthly)
$60.24
$35.00
$100.00
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Leisure & Entertainment

Leisure & Entertainment

The average person in Calgary spends $174 on leisure & entertainment per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Monthly Fitness Club Membership, Sports And Leisure
$73.00
$50.00
$100.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend), Sports And Leisure
$26.04
$22.86
$28.57
Cinema Ticket (International Release), Sports And Leisure
$17.00
$15.00
$22.00
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Clothing

Clothing

The average person in Calgary spends $41 on clothing per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar), Clothing And Shoes
$77.38
$35.00
$120.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M), Clothing And Shoes
$62.18
$35.00
$80.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range), Clothing And Shoes
$124.00
$75.00
$160.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes, Clothing And Shoes
$145.00
$70.00
$200.00
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 contributors in the last 12 months)
Restaurants

Restaurants

The average person in Calgary spends $335 on restaurants per month.
Product Avg. Min. Max.
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant, Restaurants
$25.00
$18.00
$47.87
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks), Restaurants
$92.87
$65.00
$125.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal), Restaurants
$15.00
$12.00
$15.00
Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter), Restaurants
$7.00
$4.50
$9.00
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants
$8.50
$6.00
$12.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants
$2.80
$2.00
$4.00
Bottled Water (0.33 Liter), Restaurants
$2.51
$2.00
$4.00
Cappuccino (Regular Size), Restaurants
$5.37
$3.00
$7.00
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 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.
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child, Childcare
$1,132
$900
$1,462
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child, Childcare
$21,480
$17,700
$28,240
Updated: 2026-05-01 (172 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
$3,644/month
Monthly net income of $42,000/year
$2,908/month

Jobs paying $42,000+/year

General Application - Join Our Talent Network - Remote
General Application - Join Our Talent Network - Remote
ConvergentIS
Calgary, AB • Remote
$30,000 - $200,000 / year
Full-time
Today
Field Sales Representative - Painting
Field Sales Representative - Painting
Mill Creek Painters Ltd. - 6 Jobs
Calgary, AB
$3,000 - $15,000 / month
Full-time
Today
ERP Implementation Analyst - Intermediate / Senior
ERP Implementation Analyst - Intermediate / Senior
A&A Business Consulting - 4 Jobs
Calgary, AB
$80,000 - $100,000 / year
Full-time
Today
See all jobs in Calgary

Browse more salaries in Calgary

$20,000
$22,000
$25,000
$28,000
$30,000
$32,000
$35,000
$38,000
$40,000
$42,000
$45,000
$48,000
$50,000
$52,000
$55,000
$58,000
$60,000
$62,000
$65,000
$68,000
$70,000
$72,000
$75,000
$78,000

Most affordable cities in Alberta

1. Canmore, Alberta
Avg. Salary $72,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,626
Avg. Cost of Living $3,965
Affordability Index
116.66%
2. Calgary, Alberta
Avg. Salary $64,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,224
Avg. Cost of Living $3,644
Affordability Index
115.91%
3. Medicine Hat, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,522
Avg. Cost of Living $3,082
Affordability Index
114.28%
4. Grande Prairie, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,650
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,959
Avg. Cost of Living $3,474
Affordability Index
113.97%
5. Cochrane, Alberta
Avg. Salary $66,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,340
Avg. Cost of Living $3,817
Affordability Index
113.7%
6. St. Albert, Alberta
Avg. Salary $68,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,411
Avg. Cost of Living $3,885
Affordability Index
113.55%
7. Cold Lake, Alberta
Avg. Salary $65,100
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,250
Avg. Cost of Living $3,858
Affordability Index
110.16%
8. Okotoks, Alberta
Avg. Salary $64,400
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,213
Avg. Cost of Living $3,852
Affordability Index
109.37%
9. Edmonton, Alberta
Avg. Salary $56,800
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,795
Avg. Cost of Living $3,492
Affordability Index
108.67%
10. Lethbridge, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,500
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,537
Avg. Cost of Living $3,261
Affordability Index
108.46%
11. Spruce Grove, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,950
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,030
Avg. Cost of Living $3,782
Affordability Index
106.57%
12. Red Deer, Alberta
Avg. Salary $55,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,702
Avg. Cost of Living $3,504
Affordability Index
105.65%
13. Hinton, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,011
Avg. Cost of Living $3,844
Affordability Index
104.35%
14. Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Avg. Salary $66,400
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,319
Avg. Cost of Living $4,201
Affordability Index
102.8%
15. High Level, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,900
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,973
Avg. Cost of Living $3,872
Affordability Index
102.61%
16. Airdrie, Alberta
Avg. Salary $61,150
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,041
Avg. Cost of Living $4,025
Affordability Index
100.4%
17. Peace River, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,850
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,025
Avg. Cost of Living $4,011
Affordability Index
100.35%
18. Slave Lake, Alberta
Avg. Salary $59,750
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,965
Avg. Cost of Living $3,958
Affordability Index
100.17%
19. Athabasca, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,500
Avg. Monthly Net pay $4,006
Avg. Cost of Living $4,010
Affordability Index
99.9%
20. Whitecourt, Alberta
Avg. Salary $60,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,992
Avg. Cost of Living $4,000
Affordability Index
99.8%
21. Banff, Alberta
Avg. Salary $51,000
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,447
Avg. Cost of Living $3,577
Affordability Index
96.37%
22. Strathmore, Alberta
Avg. Salary $54,950
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,684
Avg. Cost of Living $3,837
Affordability Index
96.01%
23. Beaverlodge, Alberta
Avg. Salary $55,250
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,702
Avg. Cost of Living $3,861
Affordability Index
95.88%
24. Drayton Valley, Alberta
Avg. Salary $54,600
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,663
Avg. Cost of Living $3,891
Affordability Index
94.14%
25. Saint Paul, Alberta
Avg. Salary $53,650
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,606
Avg. Cost of Living $3,872
Affordability Index
93.13%
26. Lacombe, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,700
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,549
Avg. Cost of Living $3,840
Affordability Index
92.42%
27. Drumheller, Alberta
Avg. Salary $52,050
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,510
Avg. Cost of Living $3,807
Affordability Index
92.2%
28. Bonnyville, Alberta
Avg. Salary $53,900
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,621
Avg. Cost of Living $3,958
Affordability Index
91.48%
29. Camrose, Alberta
Avg. Salary $51,750
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,492
Avg. Cost of Living $3,885
Affordability Index
89.89%
30. Pincher Creek, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,640
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,426
Avg. Cost of Living $3,931
Affordability Index
87.14%
31. Stettler, Alberta
Avg. Salary $49,960
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,385
Avg. Cost of Living $3,891
Affordability Index
86.99%
32. Vegreville, Alberta
Avg. Salary $48,920
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,322
Avg. Cost of Living $3,841
Affordability Index
86.5%
33. Sundre, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,440
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,414
Avg. Cost of Living $3,981
Affordability Index
85.75%
34. Brooks, Alberta
Avg. Salary $50,680
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,428
Avg. Cost of Living $4,010
Affordability Index
85.48%
35. Barrhead, Alberta
Avg. Salary $49,080
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,332
Avg. Cost of Living $4,010
Affordability Index
83.09%
36. Three Hills, Alberta
Avg. Salary $45,960
Avg. Monthly Net pay $3,145
Avg. Cost of Living $3,981
Affordability Index
79%
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 $4,626 $3,965
11665
116.66%
02
2
 Calgary, Alberta $64,600 $4,224 $3,644
11590
115.91%
03
3
 Medicine Hat, Alberta $52,250 $3,522 $3,082
11427
114.28%
04
4
 Grande Prairie, Alberta $59,650 $3,959 $3,474
11397
113.97%
05
5
 Cochrane, Alberta $66,800 $4,340 $3,817
11370
113.7%
06
6
 St. Albert, Alberta $68,800 $4,411 $3,885
11354
113.55%
07
7
 Cold Lake, Alberta $65,100 $4,250 $3,858
11016
110.16%
08
8
 Okotoks, Alberta $64,400 $4,213 $3,852
10937
109.37%
09
9
 Edmonton, Alberta $56,800 $3,795 $3,492
10866
108.67%
10
10
 Lethbridge, Alberta $52,500 $3,537 $3,261
10846
108.46%
11
11
 Spruce Grove, Alberta $60,950 $4,030 $3,782
10656
106.57%
12
12
 Red Deer, Alberta $55,250 $3,702 $3,504
10564
105.65%
13
13
 Hinton, Alberta $60,600 $4,011 $3,844
10435
104.35%
14
14
 Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta $66,400 $4,319 $4,201
10280
102.8%
15
15
 High Level, Alberta $59,900 $3,973 $3,872
10261
102.61%
16
16
 Airdrie, Alberta $61,150 $4,041 $4,025
10040
100.4%
17
17
 Peace River, Alberta $60,850 $4,025 $4,011
10034
100.35%
18
18
 Slave Lake, Alberta $59,750 $3,965 $3,958
10017
100.17%
19
19
 Athabasca, Alberta $60,500 $4,006 $4,010
09989
99.9%
20
20
 Whitecourt, Alberta $60,250 $3,992 $4,000
09980
99.8%
21
21
 Banff, Alberta $51,000 $3,447 $3,577
09636
96.37%
22
22
 Strathmore, Alberta $54,950 $3,684 $3,837
09600
96.01%
23
23
 Beaverlodge, Alberta $55,250 $3,702 $3,861
09587
95.88%
24
24
 Drayton Valley, Alberta $54,600 $3,663 $3,891
09413
94.14%
25
25
 Saint Paul, Alberta $53,650 $3,606 $3,872
09312
93.13%
26
26
 Lacombe, Alberta $52,700 $3,549 $3,840
09242
92.42%
27
27
 Drumheller, Alberta $52,050 $3,510 $3,807
09219
92.2%
28
28
 Bonnyville, Alberta $53,900 $3,621 $3,958
09148
91.48%
29
29
 Camrose, Alberta $51,750 $3,492 $3,885
08988
89.89%
30
30
 Pincher Creek, Alberta $50,640 $3,426 $3,931
08714
87.14%
31
31
 Stettler, Alberta $49,960 $3,385 $3,891
08698
86.99%
32
32
 Vegreville, Alberta $48,920 $3,322 $3,841
08649
86.5%
33
33
 Sundre, Alberta $50,440 $3,414 $3,981
08574
85.75%
34
34
 Brooks, Alberta $50,680 $3,428 $4,010
08548
85.48%
35
35
 Barrhead, Alberta $49,080 $3,332 $4,010
08309
83.09%
36
36
 Three Hills, Alberta $45,960 $3,145 $3,981
07899
79%
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.

People also ask