If you’re deciding between Calgary vs Regina, you’re basically choosing between two very different “Prairie city” lifestyles. Calgary is a big, fast-growing metro with higher housing pressure (but more supply coming online), bigger job variety, and quick access to the Rockies. Regina is smaller, more government-and-services oriented, often easier to navigate day-to-day, and typically lighter on housing costs—yet it can feel tighter for rentals and has different safety stats.
Below is a data-first, no-hype comparison to help you choose the city that matches your budget, risk tolerance, and lifestyle.
Calgary vs Regina: 60-Second Snapshot (Key Metrics)
| Category | Calgary | Regina |
|---|---|---|
| Typical sales tax on most purchases | 5% | 11% (5% GST + 6% PST) |
| Apartment vacancy rate (primary rental market) | 4.9% (Oct 2025) | 2.6% (Oct 2025) |
| Average apartment rent (total, primary rental market) | $1,775 (Oct 2025) | $1,414 (Oct 2025) |
| Crime Severity Index (metro area) | 62.3 (2024) | 100.3 (2024) |
| Population growth rate (metro area, July-to-July) | 5.8% (2024) | 3.8% (2024) |
How to read this table: vacancy and rent come from CMHC’s rental market survey (apartment market, primary rental). Crime Severity Index is a StatsCan index commonly used to compare relative crime severity across communities.
1) Taxes and Everyday Spending: Calgary vs Regina
One of the simplest differences is the checkout total.
Calgary (Alberta)
Calgary sits in Alberta, where the province doesn’t have a provincial sales tax, so on most everyday purchases you typically pay only the 5% federal GST. That matters if you’re spending a lot on furniture, electronics, car-related purchases, or just living life at full speed.
Regina (Saskatchewan)
Regina is in Saskatchewan, where most purchases are typically taxed at 5% GST + 6% PST = 11%. That’s a noticeable jump over time—especially for bigger one-time buys.
Takeaway: If you’re price-sensitive (or you’re building a new life from scratch and buying everything), Calgary’s tax advantage is real. If your budget is dominated by rent/mortgage more than shopping, taxes matter—but housing matters more.
2) Renting in Calgary vs Regina: Vacancy and Price Pressure
Rental reality is where many people feel the difference immediately—especially newcomers who need a place fast.
Calgary rental market
Calgary’s apartment vacancy rate was 4.9% in October 2025, with an average apartment rent (total) around $1,775. In plain language: Calgary has more “available doors” than you might expect for a fast-growing city—because supply has been expanding.
That doesn’t mean every neighborhood is easy. Some areas move fast, and the best value units still get competition. But the broader vacancy number suggests you can usually find something if your expectations are realistic and you’re flexible on location or building type.
Regina rental market
Regina’s apartment vacancy rate was 2.6% in October 2025, with an average apartment rent (total) around $1,414. Regina is typically cheaper than Calgary for rent, but the lower vacancy can mean fewer options at any given time—especially if you have strict requirements (pet-friendly, newer building, specific move-in date, etc.).
Takeaway:
- If your priority is lower average rent, Regina often wins.
- If your priority is more choice and easier searching, Calgary’s higher vacancy can reduce stress.
3) Safety and Risk: Calgary vs Regina (What the Numbers Suggest)
Safety is personal, but it helps to look at standardized indicators.
In the most recent Crime Severity Index comparisons (2024), Calgary’s index was lower than Regina’s. This doesn’t mean “Regina is unsafe” or “Calgary is perfectly safe.” It means that—on average—the severity and volume of police-reported crime differs when measured in a consistent way.
Practical advice for both cities (no fear, just smart living):
- Choose neighborhoods you’d feel comfortable walking at night.
- Don’t leave valuables visible in your car.
- If you’re new, talk to locals and read community groups about building security and parking risks.
Takeaway: If safety stats heavily influence your decision, the macro data tends to favor Calgary, but your real experience will depend a lot on neighborhood, routines, and housing type.
4) Growth, Jobs, and “City Energy”
This is where the vibe differences show up.
Calgary: bigger, faster, more volatile
Calgary is one of Canada’s fastest-growing metro areas (recently among the top performers). With growth comes:
- more construction and new communities
- more job churn and opportunity
- more traffic pressure
- faster rent/housing changes (in either direction)
Industries are broader than the stereotype: energy is big, but so are finance, tech, logistics, professional services, and a growing startup scene.
Regina: smaller, steadier, more “manageable”
Regina often feels more predictable:
- shorter commutes (in many cases)
- simpler navigation
- a smaller market where networks matter
Government, Crown corporations, health, education, and local services tend to be a bigger part of the economic identity. The upside is stability. The downside is that specialized roles can be fewer, and “big city” career ladders may be slower.
Takeaway:
- If you want maximum opportunity and big-city momentum, Calgary usually fits better.
- If you want a calmer day-to-day rhythm and don’t need a huge market, Regina can be a strong match.
5) Weather and Lifestyle: Similar Prairie DNA, Different Experience
Both are Prairie cities with real winters. But Calgary has a wildcard: Chinook winds, which can bring sudden warm-ups and break up winter stretches. Regina tends to feel more consistently “Prairie winter” without the same kind of frequent warm snaps.
Lifestyle-wise:
- Calgary leans into mountains, outdoor weekends, big events, and a larger restaurant/entertainment scene.
- Regina feels more local and community-driven, with a smaller but loyal cultural/sports identity.
Takeaway: If winter mood affects you strongly, Calgary’s “winter interruptions” can be a quality-of-life bonus.
6) Getting Around: Driving, Transit, and Daily Convenience
- Calgary has a larger transit system and more big-city commuting patterns. Great if you choose the right corridor; frustrating if you live far from your daily destinations.
- Regina is typically more car-oriented and simpler to cross, but with fewer “big city” transit options.
Takeaway: If you love transit-based living, Calgary gives you more pathways. If you love simple driving and quick errands, Regina can feel easier.
Who Should Choose Calgary vs Regina?
Choose Calgary if you want:
- a bigger job market and more career pathways
- lower sales tax pressure on everyday spending
- more “big city” lifestyle options
- mountain access and more outdoor variety
Choose Regina if you want:
- lower average rent and a smaller-city rhythm
- a more manageable scale for daily life
- a stability-oriented local economy
- less “big metro” intensity
FAQ: Calgary vs Regina
Is Regina always cheaper than Calgary?
Not always—but on average rent, Regina typically comes in lower. Calgary can still win on overall affordability for some people because taxes are lower and job options can be broader.
Which city is better for newcomers to Canada?
If you want more communities, services, and job variety, Calgary is often easier. If you already have a secure job offer and prefer a smaller city, Regina can be a calmer landing.
What about a “happiness index” for Calgary vs Regina?
There isn’t one single official “city happiness index” everyone uses. The closest official-style approach is life satisfaction and quality-of-life indicators that are tracked in Canada, sometimes down to community level, but availability and precision can vary.
Which city is safer: Calgary or Regina?
On the Crime Severity Index, Calgary’s metro area score is lower than Regina’s (latest available comparisons). But neighborhood choice matters massively in both.
Which one is better for families?
Both can work. Calgary offers more variety in schools/activities; Regina can offer simpler routines and (often) cheaper housing. Your best pick depends on job location, budget, and preferred pace of life.
Conclusion: The Real Choice
Calgary vs Regina isn’t “which city is better?”—it’s “which city fits your life right now?”
- If you want growth, options, and momentum—and you’re okay with big-city tradeoffs—Calgary is usually the stronger bet.
- If you want a smaller scale, lower rent pressure, and a steadier daily rhythm—Regina can be a smart, comfortable choice.
