If you’re deciding between Calgary (Alberta) and Chicago (Illinois), you’re really choosing between two very different “big-city lives”:
- Calgary is a fast-growing, outdoors-first city with low consumption tax (5% GST), big skies, and easy access to the Rockies.
- Chicago is a true global metropolis with a massive job market, world-class neighborhoods and food, and one of North America’s strongest big-city transit networks—along with higher sales taxes and a much larger urban footprint.
This guide compares Calgary vs Chicago using hard, published numbers where possible (and clearly labels where data definitions differ, like CAD vs USD).
Calgary vs Chicago at a Glance (Quick Snapshot)
| Category | Calgary | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population (latest official estimate shown) | Smaller metro than Chicago | 2,721,308 (city estimate) |
| Sales tax on most purchases | 5% GST (Alberta) | 10.25% combined sales tax (Chicago, minimum combined rate shown) |
| Typical rent indicator | Avg rent: 1,775 CAD (Calgary CMA, all structures) | Median gross rent: 1,380 USD (city) |
| Home price indicator | Benchmark: 559,000 CAD (Calgary) | Median home value: 315,200 USD (city) |
| Household income indicator | Median after-tax household income: 87,000 CAD (Calgary CMA) | Median household income: 75,134 USD (city) |
| Commute indicator | (Varies; depends heavily on quadrant + job location) | Mean commute: 33.5 min (city) |
| Weather profile | Drier, sunnier feel; Chinooks can warm winter suddenly | More humid; big-lake weather swings; heavier summer humidity |
Important note: Calgary numbers are typically metro-area (CMA) in Canadian housing reports, while Chicago numbers here are city-level from U.S. Census QuickFacts. CAD and USD are not converted in this article to avoid misleading “exchange-rate illusions.”
1) Cost of Living: Taxes and Everyday Spending
Sales tax: Calgary has a clear advantage
This is one of the simplest, most noticeable differences.
- Calgary (Alberta): most everyday purchases are taxed at 5% GST.
- Chicago: the combined sales tax rate is commonly listed as 10.25% (state + county + city + regional components depending on location).
In real life, that means a “normal shopping day” in Chicago usually adds noticeably more tax to your receipt than Calgary—especially for large purchases.
What it feels like day-to-day
- In Calgary, the tax bite is smaller, but costs can show up elsewhere (insurance, car-related costs, winter tires, etc.).
- In Chicago, higher sales tax is often paired with big-city price pressure in popular neighborhoods—though you can find value if you choose areas carefully.
Bottom line: If you’re price-sensitive and you buy a lot of taxable goods, Calgary tends to feel lighter on day-to-day checkout totals.
2) Housing: Rent and Buying (The “Big Decision” Category)
Housing is where people feel the difference the most—but it’s also where comparisons get tricky because neighborhood selection matters enormously in both cities.
Renting
- Calgary: recent official rental market reporting shows an average rent around 1,775 CAD and median around 1,725 CAD (Calgary CMA, all structures).
- Chicago: U.S. Census QuickFacts lists median gross rent at 1,380 USD (city).
What matters more than the headline numbers is the rental experience:
- Calgary: lots of newer builds, major differences by quadrant, and a market that can shift quickly with migration and job cycles.
- Chicago: huge inventory range—from vintage walk-ups to modern high-rises—where neighborhood, safety, transit proximity, and building quality can change the rent equation completely.
Buying
- Calgary: a commonly used market benchmark for overall residential pricing is around 559,000 CAD (benchmark).
- Chicago: QuickFacts reports median home value at 315,200 USD (owner-occupied housing unit value).
How to interpret this without getting fooled:
- Chicago’s city median includes a very wide mix of housing stock.
- Calgary’s benchmark reflects a market index for a major Canadian city where suburban detached homes are a large part of the “default” lifestyle.
Bottom line:
- If you want more space and newer builds as your “normal,” Calgary often fits the story better.
- If you want urban density, iconic neighborhoods, and architectural variety, Chicago offers options Calgary simply doesn’t have at that scale.
3) Income and Opportunity: What the Numbers Suggest
Here’s the honest way to read the income stats:
- Chicago (city): median household income is listed around $75,134 (in 2023 dollars, multi-year estimate).
- Calgary (CMA): median after-tax household income is listed around 87,000 CAD (Census profile).
These are not apples-to-apples (after-tax vs not, metro vs city, different national systems). But they still tell a useful story:
- Chicago has an enormous and diverse economy: finance, consulting, healthcare, logistics, tech, manufacturing, universities, and corporate HQ ecosystems.
- Calgary has strong professional earnings potential too, with major strengths in energy, engineering, construction, logistics, and a growing tech scene—plus the “Alberta advantage” of a simpler tax environment for many households.
Bottom line: Chicago usually wins on breadth of career categories. Calgary often wins on earning-to-lifestyle balance if your work fits the local market.
4) Weather Reality: Dry Prairie vs Great Lakes
Both cities have real winters. But they “hit” differently.
Calgary: dry cold + Chinook surprises
Calgary’s weather often feels more manageable than the temperature suggests because it’s typically drier, and Chinook winds can create dramatic mid-winter warmups.
Chicago: lake-driven volatility + humidity
Chicago’s climate is shaped by Lake Michigan—which contributes to quick shifts and a heavier “damp cold” feel in some periods, plus more humidity in summer.
A useful official data point:
- Chicago (O’Hare normals): annual precipitation about 37.86 inches, annual snowfall about 38.4 inches.
Bottom line:
- If you hate humidity and love crisp air, Calgary tends to feel better.
- If you want a classic four-season big-city vibe with lakefront summers, Chicago can be amazing.
5) Getting Around: Transit Culture vs Car Culture
Chicago: a serious transit city
Chicago’s CTA rail/bus system, plus Metra commuter rail and walkable neighborhoods, makes it possible to build a life with less car dependence (especially if you choose your neighborhood strategically).
Calgary: transit exists, but cars still dominate
Calgary’s CTrain is excellent for certain corridors, but many people still default to driving for full flexibility—especially outside the inner city and core transit spines.
Bottom line: If you want a “train-and-walk” lifestyle, Chicago is typically easier. If you want parking, space, and quick highway access, Calgary feels simpler.
6) Safety and Peace of Mind: How to Compare Without Lying
This is where many comparisons online become dishonest. Different countries publish different metrics.
- Calgary has an official Crime Severity Index (CSI) metric used nationally, and Calgary CMA is listed at 62.3 for 2024.
- Chicago publishes very detailed incident-level crime data through city open-data systems (useful, but not the same metric as CSI).
The practical advice: In both cities, safety is neighborhood-specific and sometimes even block-specific. When comparing Calgary vs Chicago, the right move is to compare:
- the exact neighborhood you’d live in,
- how you commute,
- and how late you’re out.
Bottom line: You can live safely in either city with smart neighborhood choice—but it’s not honest to pretend they carry the same risk profile in every area.
7) Lifestyle: Mountains vs Metropolis
Calgary lifestyle highlights
- The Rockies are “weekend normal.”
- Outdoor culture is strong: hiking, skiing, lakes, road trips.
- You get a big-city economy with a more “open-space” feel.
Chicago lifestyle highlights
- One of North America’s best food cities.
- World-class museums, architecture, music, festivals.
- Lakefront parks and beaches + deep neighborhood identity.
Bottom line: Calgary is built for outdoors + space. Chicago is built for culture + density.
Who Should Choose Calgary (Over Chicago)?
Choose Calgary if you want:
- lower sales tax and simpler day-to-day costs,
- easier access to nature and mountains,
- more space for the money (often),
- a cleaner “reset” from ultra-dense city life.
Who Should Choose Chicago (Over Calgary)?
Choose Chicago if you want:
- a massive, diverse job market and networking,
- a true transit-first urban lifestyle,
- top-tier arts, food, and neighborhoods,
- big-city energy every day.
FAQ: Calgary vs Chicago
Is Calgary cheaper than Chicago?
On sales tax alone, Calgary is clearly cheaper (5% vs around 10%+ in Chicago). Housing depends heavily on neighborhood and whether you’re comparing city vs metro.
Do I need a car in Chicago?
Not always. Many Chicago neighborhoods work very well without a car, especially near CTA rail lines.
Do I need a car in Calgary?
Often yes—unless you live and work close to a CTrain corridor and build your life around it.
Which city has better weather?
If you prefer dry air and sun, Calgary often feels better. If you love lake summers and humid warmth, Chicago can be fantastic.
Is there an “official happiness index” for these cities?
There isn’t one single official city-level happiness index that covers both cities identically. A more honest approach is comparing measurable proxies: income, housing stress, commute time, and safety indicators.
Conclusion: Calgary vs Chicago in One Sentence
Calgary is the “space, mountains, and lower-tax” option; Chicago is the “world-class big city with transit and culture” option—your best choice depends on whether you want your life to revolve around outdoors and breathing room or urban intensity and opportunity density.
