If you’re choosing between Calgary vs Quebec City, the decision usually comes down to a few practical questions: How expensive is housing? How much tax will I pay day-to-day? How safe does the city feel? And what kind of lifestyle do I actually want? Below is a data-first comparison using the most recent official public metrics available.
Quick snapshot: Calgary vs Quebec City (the numbers that change your budget)
| Category | Calgary | Quebec City |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment vacancy rate (purpose-built rentals) | 4.9% | 2.4% |
| Average rent (purpose-built rentals, all bedroom types) | $1,775 | $1,226 |
| Median rent (purpose-built rentals, all bedroom types) | $1,725 | $1,113 |
| Sales tax on most purchases | 5% | 14.975% |
| Crime Severity Index (CMA, 2024) | 62.3 | 55.3 |
What this table really means:
- Quebec City is dramatically cheaper to rent (about 31% lower average rent than Calgary, using CMHC’s “Average Rent” totals).
- Calgary’s rental market is looser (higher vacancy), which usually means more negotiating power and more choice.
- Quebec City’s sales tax is much higher, which quietly increases your cost of living every single day.
Housing & rent: Calgary vs Quebec City (what CMHC says)
Housing is where the Calgary vs Quebec City gap becomes impossible to ignore.
Quebec City: cheaper rent, tighter market
CMHC’s October 2025 rental survey shows Quebec City with:
- 2.4% vacancy rate (tighter market)
- $1,226 average rent (all unit types combined)
- $1,113 median rent (often a better “typical renter” signal than the average)
If your #1 goal is lower monthly rent, Quebec City has a strong advantage.
Calgary: higher rent, but more availability
For Calgary, CMHC reports:
- 4.9% vacancy rate (more options)
- $1,775 average rent
- $1,725 median rent
Calgary’s vacancy is roughly double Quebec City’s. In everyday terms: more listings, more competition between landlords, and typically less panic when you need to move.
The rent gap in plain English
Using CMHC’s “Total / Average Rent” figures:
- Calgary $1,775 vs Quebec City $1,226
- Difference: $549/month, or about 31% cheaper in Quebec City.
Using median rent:
- Calgary $1,725 vs Quebec City $1,113
- Difference: $612/month, or about 35% cheaper in Quebec City.
That’s a big deal over a year, especially if you’re saving, paying debt, or just trying to breathe.
Taxes: the hidden cost that changes everything
Taxes are the silent budget killer in any Calgary vs Quebec City decision.
Calgary (Alberta): simple and light
In Alberta, the sales tax on most goods and services is basically 5% GST.
Quebec City (Québec): noticeably higher everyday taxes
In Québec, most purchases face:
- 5% GST
- Québec Sales Tax (QST)
- Combined single-rate calculation often shown as 14.975%
Why it matters: even if Quebec City rent is cheaper, the day-to-day cost of life (shopping, services, many purchases) is more heavily taxed.
Safety: comparing official Crime Severity Index (CSI)
If you want one standardized, comparable measure for Calgary vs Quebec City, the Crime Severity Index (CSI) is one of the best.
For 2024 (CMA-level):
- Calgary CSI: 62.3
- Québec CSI: 55.3
Lower is generally better on CSI. This suggests Quebec City is lower on crime severity overall compared to Calgary, based on the official CSI metric.
Important nuance: CSI is not “how safe you’ll personally feel on your street,” but it’s one of the most consistent ways to compare metros using the same definition.
Lifestyle: which city fits which type of person?
Numbers are critical—but lifestyle decides whether you’ll actually be happy.
Choose Calgary if you want…
- More job-market “big city” energy in Western Canada
- A city that feels newer, faster, and growth-driven
- Outdoor access with a “weekend escape” culture
- More flexibility in the rental market (higher vacancy tends to help)
Choose Quebec City if you want…
- A more historic, compact, European-feeling Canadian city vibe
- A strongly French-language environment (huge for culture; important for work and integration)
- Lower rent pressure month-to-month
- A metro that, by CSI, trends lower on crime severity
“Happiness index”: is there a real measure?
Yes—Canada tracks something close to a happiness index through Statistics Canada’s “life satisfaction” indicator, measured on a 0–10 scale (0 = very dissatisfied, 10 = very satisfied). There’s also a StatsCan tool that lets you explore well-being indicators geographically (including city-level exploration in many cases).
For a Calgary vs Quebec City article series, the most honest way to use this is:
- treat it as a well-being / life satisfaction signal, not a guarantee
- compare it with context (housing, taxes, community fit, language, etc.)
Who wins? Calgary vs Quebec City, depending on your goal
If your goal is the lowest rent possible
Winner: Quebec City.
The CMHC rent gap is huge, and the median rent difference is even bigger.
If your goal is more rental choice and flexibility
Winner: Calgary.
Higher vacancy typically means more options and less desperation.
If your goal is lower day-to-day taxes
Winner: Calgary.
The difference between 5% and 14.975% adds up fast.
If your goal is lower crime severity (CMA-level CSI)
Winner: Quebec City (based on CSI values).
FAQ: Calgary vs Quebec City
1) Is Quebec City always cheaper than Calgary?
Rent is clearly cheaper in the latest CMHC totals, but Quebec’s higher sales taxes can reduce the advantage depending on your spending habits.
2) Which city is easier to rent in right now?
Calgary has higher vacancy, usually meaning more listings and more negotiating room. Quebec City is tighter.
3) Does Calgary have lower taxes than Quebec City?
Yes—Calgary/Alberta generally pays 5% GST on most purchases, while Québec’s combined consumption taxes commonly total 14.975%.
4) Which city is “safer”?
On the Crime Severity Index (CMA-level, 2024), Québec is lower than Calgary. But neighbourhood-level reality can vary.
5) Which city is better for newcomers?
It depends: Calgary is more English-dominant and has a growth-driven vibe; Quebec City’s French environment can be a major advantage or a major barrier depending on your language skills and goals.
Conclusion: the honest takeaway
The simplest truth about Calgary vs Quebec City is this:
- Quebec City wins on rent (by a lot), and CSI trends lower.
- Calgary wins on taxes and usually on rental flexibility (higher vacancy = more choice).
If you’re optimizing purely for monthly housing cost, Quebec City is hard to beat. If you care about keeping everyday taxes low and having more rental options, Calgary stays extremely competitive.
