If you’re weighing Calgary vs Denver, you’re basically choosing between two high-altitude “big small cities” with strong economies, easy access to mountains, and very different rules around taxes, healthcare, and housing. Below is a fact-first comparison using official/public datasets and clearly-labeled indicators where “perfect apples-to-apples” doesn’t exist.
Quick Snapshot: Calgary vs Denver (Key Metrics)
| Category | Calgary (Alberta, Canada) | Denver (Colorado, USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | 5% GST (no provincial sales tax in Alberta) | 9.15% total sales tax in Denver |
| Income tax (local reality) | Alberta introduced 8% on the first $60,000 of income (2025 change; progressive above) | Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax (2022+). Denver may also have a small monthly “OPT/head tax” for some workers |
| Rent indicator (city-level) | Oct 2025: apartment vacancy 4.9%; average apartment rent $1,775; median $1,725 | 2019–2023: median gross rent $1,770 (Census estimate) |
| Home price indicator | Nov 2025: benchmark home price $587,400 (Calgary) | 2019–2023: median value of owner-occupied homes $586,700 (Denver) |
| Unemployment (metro indicator) | (Varies by month; depends on the Calgary CMA series used) | Sep 2025: 3.9% (Denver–Aurora–Lakewood MSA) |
How to read this table: Calgary rent is a CMHC apartment market measure (purpose-built rentals). Denver rent is a Census “median gross rent” estimate (broader definition). Home-price timeframes differ, so treat them as indicators, not “same-month comparisons.”
1) Taxes: The Real “Take-Home” Differences
Sales tax (daily spending)
This is one of the cleanest comparisons in Calgary vs Denver:
- Calgary: 5% GST (Alberta has no PST).
- Denver: total sales tax is 9.15%.
On everyday purchases (dining out, shopping, services), Denver’s sales tax is meaningfully higher, and you feel it immediately—especially if you’re used to Alberta’s simpler tax setup.
Income tax (your paycheck structure)
- Alberta: progressive brackets; starting 2025, Alberta added an 8% bracket on the first $60,000 of income. If your income is under/around that level, this matters.
- Colorado: a flat 4.4% state income tax rate (for tax years 2022+).
The “hidden” Denver twist: Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT)
Denver can also apply a small monthly “head tax” (OPT) for employees working in the city above a monthly threshold. The common employee portion is $5.75/month, and employers often have their own portion as well. It’s not huge—but it’s a “surprise line item” many newcomers don’t expect.
Bottom line on taxes: If your spending pattern includes lots of taxable purchases, Calgary tends to feel lighter day-to-day. If you’re comparing overall tax burden, you’ll also want to factor in healthcare (later section), because that’s where the U.S. can swing dramatically depending on your job benefits.
2) Housing: Renting and Buying in Calgary vs Denver
Renting: vacancy and “rent pressure”
Calgary (official apartment market snapshot):
CMHC’s October 2025 data shows 4.9% apartment vacancy and an average apartment rent of $1,775 (median $1,725). That’s a fairly “balanced-ish” vacancy rate compared to tighter markets, but still not “cheap city” territory.
Denver (official median rent indicator):
Census QuickFacts reports median gross rent $1,770 (2019–2023). This is useful because it’s official, but it’s not the same thing as “this month’s asking rent.” It’s a median estimate from survey data.
What this means in practice:
- Calgary gives you a clear current-year market signal (vacancy + current rent level for apartments).
- Denver gives you an official affordability baseline, but you’ll still want to check neighborhood-level reality when you actually shop.
Buying: price level indicators (and what they imply)
Calgary: Calgary’s benchmark home price was reported at $587,400 (Nov 2025).
Denver: Denver’s median value of owner-occupied housing was $586,700 (2019–2023).
These numbers look shockingly similar at first glance, but don’t let that fool you:
- The measures are different (benchmark vs Census median value).
- The timeframes are different (2025 vs 2019–2023).
- The financing, property tax structure, and insurance costs can diverge.
Practical takeaway: If your decision is “rent first,” Calgary’s vacancy/rent data is a strong guide. If your decision is “buy soon,” you’ll want to compare monthly carrying costs (mortgage rates, property taxes, insurance, utilities), because price alone isn’t the whole story.
3) Jobs and Economy: What You’re Really Moving For
A Calgary vs Denver decision often comes down to industry fit:
Calgary strengths (high-level)
- Energy and related services (and everything that supports them)
- Engineering, construction, logistics
- Growing tech scene, finance, and professional services
Denver strengths (high-level)
- Large diversified metro economy: tech, healthcare, aerospace/defense, government-related work
- Strong “outdoor economy” (tourism, sports/fitness brands, recreation industry)
- Broad U.S. job market connectivity if you plan to move again later
Unemployment snapshot (Denver metro): 3.9% (Sep 2025) for the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood metro area.
Career takeaway: If you’re chasing U.S. market scale and a diversified metro, Denver is a powerful platform. If you want Canadian stability and Alberta-style tax simplicity, Calgary stays very competitive—especially when you factor in healthcare.
4) Lifestyle and Outdoors: Similar Vibes, Different “Weekends”
This is where Calgary vs Denver looks similar on the surface:
- Both are sunny, high-elevation cities with mountain access.
- Both have strong “weekend culture” (hiking/skiing/road trips).
But the experience differs:
- Calgary: faster access to the Canadian Rockies (Banff/Canmore energy), Chinook weather swings, a more compact big-city feel.
- Denver: a massive Front Range metro corridor, huge variety of neighborhoods, and “Colorado lifestyle” is very real—but traffic to the mountains can shape your weekends.
If your ideal life is “work hard, escape to the mountains constantly,” either city can deliver—but your tolerance for metro sprawl and traffic matters more in Denver.
5) Healthcare and Monthly “Risk Costs”
This category alone can flip a decision.
- Calgary (Canada): core healthcare is publicly funded; you still have dental/vision and extras, but medical risk is less likely to become a financial crisis.
- Denver (USA): healthcare depends heavily on employer plans; premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums can materially change your monthly budget.
Simple rule:
If you have a strong U.S. employer plan, Denver feels fine. If you don’t, Calgary’s system can be a major stabilizer.
6) Who Should Choose Which City?
Choose Calgary if you want:
- Lower sales tax and simpler day-to-day taxation
- A major city with a “less chaotic” feel
- Predictable healthcare costs
- Quick access to the Canadian Rockies and a tight urban footprint
Choose Denver if you want:
- The scale and opportunity of the U.S. market
- A highly diversified metro economy
- A huge variety of neighborhoods and lifestyle “micro-cities”
- Long-term U.S. mobility (career and geography)
FAQ: Calgary vs Denver
1) Is Denver “more expensive” than Calgary?
It depends what you mean by expensive. Sales tax is clearly higher in Denver, and healthcare can change everything. Housing depends on your exact neighborhood and timing.
2) Which city is better for renters?
Calgary provides a strong official snapshot (vacancy + rent). Denver has official rent estimates too, but they’re not “live market pricing.”
3) Which city is better for outdoor lovers?
Both. Calgary’s Rockies access is famously efficient. Denver has incredible options but can involve more metro traffic and longer drives.
4) Which city is better for income growth?
Denver can offer broader U.S. market scale. Calgary can offer strong earnings in specific sectors with a different cost structure.
5) Which city is better for families?
If healthcare predictability is a big factor, Calgary often feels safer financially. Denver can be excellent with the right job benefits and school/neighborhood match.
Conclusion: Calgary vs Denver in One Sentence
If you want lower day-to-day tax friction and predictable healthcare, Calgary is hard to beat; if you want U.S. market scale and a massive diversified metro, Denver is a strong long-term play.
