If you’re deciding between Calgary (Alberta) and St. John’s (Newfoundland and Labrador), the “right” choice usually comes down to a simple trade-off: Calgary is bigger, faster-growing, and has lower sales tax, while St. John’s is smaller, more coastal, and often cheaper for rent—but with a tighter rental market and much wetter weather.
Below is a numbers-first comparison with the most important lifestyle context around it.
Snapshot: the differences that matter most
| Category | Calgary | St. John’s |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax on most purchases | 5% (GST) | 15% (HST) |
| Apartment vacancy rate (Primary rental market, 2025) | 5.0% total | 2.0% total |
| Avg apartment rent (2025) – 1 bedroom | $1,582 | $1,086 |
| Avg apartment rent (2025) – 2 bedroom | $1,914 | $1,361 |
| Population (2024 estimate shown in CMHC dashboard) | 1,778,881 | 239,316 |
| Total net migration (2024) | 92,601 | 7,109 |
| Crime Severity Index (CMA, 2024) | 62.3 | 77.0 |
| Climate normals (1981–2010) – annual precipitation | 418.8 mm | 1,534.2 mm |
| Climate normals (1981–2010) – annual snowfall | 128.8 cm | 335.0 cm |
1) Cost of everyday life: the hidden power of sales tax
This is one of the clearest “math” differences.
- In Calgary, most goods and services are taxed at 5% (GST) because Alberta has no provincial sales tax.
- In St. John’s (NL), most purchases are taxed at 15% (HST).
That 10-point gap shows up everywhere: furniture, electronics, clothes, many services, restaurant bills, and everyday shopping. If you’re a heavy spender (or furnishing a home), Calgary’s lower tax can feel like an instant discount.
2) Rent and availability: cheaper in St. John’s, but harder to find
If you judge by average rent, St. John’s is typically cheaper. If you judge by availability, Calgary is often easier.
Average rent (purpose-built apartments, 2025)
- Calgary: 1BR $1,582, 2BR $1,914
- St. John’s: 1BR $1,086, 2BR $1,361
That’s a major difference—especially for one-bedroom renters.
Vacancy rate (purpose-built apartments, 2025)
- Calgary: 5.0% total (studio 6.0%, 1BR 4.4%, 2BR 5.7%, 3BR+ 4.4%)
- St. John’s: 2.0% total (studio 0.9%, 1BR 2.3%, 2BR 1.7%, 3BR+ 3.4%)
What this means in real life
- St. John’s can be cheaper per month, but the market can feel tighter, especially for studios and 2BR units.
- Calgary is more expensive on average, but the higher vacancy rate usually means more choice, faster move-in options, and sometimes more negotiating power—depending on the season and neighborhood.
3) Growth and “city energy”: Calgary is the big, fast-moving market
Calgary is operating on a different scale:
- Population shown in CMHC dashboard (2024): 1,778,881
- Net migration (2024): 92,601 persons
St. John’s is much smaller:
- Population shown in CMHC dashboard (2024): 239,316
- Net migration (2024): 7,109 persons (with net interprovincial -603, i.e., a net outflow to other provinces)
Practical takeaway
- If you want a bigger job market, more neighborhoods, more events, more direct flights, and more “big city” options—Calgary usually wins.
- If you want a smaller, more personal city pace—St. John’s can feel more community-based.
4) Jobs: different kinds of opportunity
Both cities have strong “identity industries,” but the feel is different:
Calgary
Calgary’s advantage is often scale—more employers, more roles, and more overall hiring churn. The CMHC dashboard shows total employment around 996,500 (Q3 2025).
St. John’s
St. John’s can be surprisingly strong for a smaller metro because it’s a provincial capital with major public services, plus a regional hub for sectors like offshore-related activity, education, and healthcare. CMHC dashboard shows total employment around 126,700 (Q2 2025).
Practical takeaway
- If you’re optimizing for career mobility (switching jobs, leveling up, relocating inside the same metro), Calgary’s size matters.
- If you’re optimizing for stability and a smaller market, St. John’s can work well—just expect fewer “parallel options” in the same niche.
5) Safety: Calgary’s numbers look stronger in the 2024 CSI
A simple, comparable metric is the Crime Severity Index (CSI) at the CMA level.
- Calgary CMA (2024 CSI): 62.3
- St. John’s CMA (2024 CSI): 77.0
CSI is not “your neighborhood,” but it’s a consistent indicator for comparing metro areas.
6) Weather reality check: dry prairie vs coastal Atlantic
This is where many people make the wrong assumption. St. John’s is not “mild and rainy” in a gentle way. It’s very wet and can be very snowy, and coastal wind changes how cold feels.
Using Canadian climate normals (1981–2010):
Annual precipitation (rain + melted snow)
- Calgary: 418.8 mm
- St. John’s: 1,534.2 mm
Annual snowfall
- Calgary: 128.8 cm
- St. John’s: 335.0 cm
How that feels day to day
- Calgary: more dry days, big sky, and winter swings—plus the familiar “it can change fast” prairie pattern.
- St. John’s: more days where the weather is simply “present”—rain, fog, wind, wet snow, slush, and repeated storm systems.
If your mood and routine depend on outdoor consistency, Calgary’s dryness can be a big quality-of-life advantage.
7) Who should choose which city?
Choose Calgary if you want…
- Lower sales tax (5% vs 15%).
- A larger job market and more career mobility.
- More rental availability (higher vacancy rate).
- Drier climate and fewer rain-soaked months.
Choose St. John’s if you want…
- Lower average rents (especially 1BR and 2BR).
- Smaller-city feel and tighter community vibe.
- A coastal setting and don’t mind (or even love) dramatic Atlantic weather.
- A market where “knowing the city” quickly gives you an advantage.
FAQ
Is St. John’s cheaper than Calgary?
On rent, often yes (based on average purpose-built apartment rents). On shopping, the 15% HST can eat into those savings if you spend a lot on taxable goods.
Which city is easier for renters right now?
Calgary shows a higher vacancy rate than St. John’s in 2025, which usually translates to more choice and easier searching.
Which is safer?
In the 2024 Crime Severity Index comparison, Calgary’s CSI is lower than St. John’s at the CMA level.
Who has the better weather?
If you prefer dry, bright, and less rain, Calgary. If you like coastal weather, don’t mind rain/wind, and want an Atlantic vibe, St. John’s.
Can I compare “happiness” between the two cities?
Canada has an official wellbeing-style measure called life satisfaction (survey-based). However, it’s most commonly published at national/provincial levels; city-by-city “happiness” is harder to do with a single official number.
Conclusion
A clean way to summarize it:
- Calgary is the bigger opportunity engine: lower tax, bigger market, more housing movement, and a dry climate that many people find easier day-to-day.
- St. John’s is the smaller, often cheaper rental market: lower average rents, a strong local identity, but tighter vacancy and a much wetter/snowier climate.
If your priority is career growth + lower tax + easier renting, Calgary is usually the safer bet. If your priority is lower rent + small-city coastal lifestyle, St. John’s can be the better fit—if you’re ready for the weather and the tighter housing market.
