Calgary's living wage is over $10 higher than minimum wage
It’s getting pricier to call Calgary home, and a new report just showed that the hourly wage a worker needs to cover basic needs has increased by $2 since 2024.
The report, from Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) and in collaboration with the Alberta Living Wage Network, revealed that Calgary’s suggested living wage has risen by $2 over the past year, now sitting at $26.50 per hour.
“A living wage represents the hourly wage a worker needs to cover their basic expenses and maintain a modest standard of living, after government transfers and taxes are added,” the report states.
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According to the report, Calgary’s lowest-paid workers would need an additional $400 each week to reach the livable wage of $26.50 per hour in order to cover basic needs, support their families, and contribute to the local economy.
Earlier this year, Alberta’s minimum wage officially became the lowest in the country, seeing no change since 2018. Calgary’s suggested living wage is 77 per cent higher than the provincial minimum wage.
Transportation, child care, and food costs are key cost drivers. “On average, Calgarians are paying up to 52 per cent more for transportation, about $1,000 more on child care, and six per cent more for food in 2025,” the report says.
Home costs, on the other hand, have started to stabilize. In 2024, home costs saw a year-over-year increase of about $2.000, while in 2025, there was only an increase of around $190.
The report says Calgary’s higher housing supply and policies like Calgary’s Home is Here and Alberta’s Stronger Foundation’s housing strategies have played a role in keeping home prices down.
“A living wage is one of the clearest indicators of affordability, and it reminds us that when governments, businesses, and communities work together, we can build a city where everyone has enough to live well,” said Dani DeBoice, the executive director of Vibrant Communities Calgary.
You can find the full report online.