Vancouver vs Calgary
A 2026 side-by-side comparison of Vancouver and Calgary across 17 lifestyle categories, from dated legacy snapshots.
At a glance
Vancouver
Canada
#10
Population631K
Avg. Rent (1BR)$961.173
Cost of Living70.4
Internet Speed236.2 Mbps
Category Wins
11 / 17
Calgary
Canada
#15
Population1.3M
Avg. Rent (1BR)$1,650
Cost of Living80.0
Internet Speed160.2 Mbps
Category Wins
6 / 17
Key metrics
Key Metrics Comparison
Legacy figures, not verified current observations. Missing values are omitted. Cost of Living is inverted (150 − value); internet speed is divided by 10 for display.
Quality of Life
Category-by-category rankings
Category Rankings
| Category | Vancouver | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | #10 | #15 |
| Affordability | #11 | #35 |
| AI & Innovation | #53 | #35 |
| Cost-Benefit Ratio | #55 | #4 |
| Dating Scene | #56 | #50 |
| Education | #59 | #62 |
| Family Life | #13 | #29 |
| Food & Culinary | #50 | #14 |
| Healthcare | #32 | #12 |
| Nightlife & Entertainment | #33 | #40 |
| Outdoors & Recreation | #5 | #45 |
| Pet-Friendly | #6 | #49 |
| Remote Work | #10 | #35 |
| Retirement | #51 | #25 |
| Safety | #11 | #52 |
| Sustainability | #9 | #21 |
| Tech Jobs | #7 | #33 |
Explore each city
Vancouver
Nestled between mountains and ocean, Vancouver offers stunning natural beauty, mild climate, and exceptional quality of life in one of North America's most scenic settings.
View Vancouver profileCalgary
Calgary is a dynamic city that perfectly balances urban sophistication with outdoor adventure. Known for its proximity to the Canadian Rockies, thriving energy sector, and vibrant cultural scene, Calgary offers an exceptional quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
View Calgary profile