Performance
Score Breakdown
Langley
Calgary
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Calgary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% higher compared to Langley.
| Metric | Langley | Calgary | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,260 | $1,177 | +7% |
| Groceries | $415 | $268 | +55% |
| Utilities | $194 | $125 | +55% |
| Transport | $242 | $90 | +169% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $71 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,111 | $1,731 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 65 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Calgary offers 34% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Calgary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Langley is estimated at
$32,424 vs $46,129 in Calgary.
| Metric | Langley | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $35,056 | $53,505 |
| Salary Needed | $32,424 | $46,129 |
| Purchasing Power | 36,901 idx | 82,315 idx |
| Household Income | $64,150 | $69,893 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Langley | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Calgary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Langley leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Langley | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 41.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 44.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 125.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Calgary is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Langley.
From a growth perspective, Calgary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Langley has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Langley | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,585 | 1,600,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | 2.53% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 38.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 6.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Langley
Advantages
Langley offers more practical living space and functional layouts compared to Vancouver at similar budgets.
The city provides strong family-oriented infrastructure, including integrated schools, recreation centers, parks, and daily shopping nodes.
Langley boasts a diverse housing market with detached homes, townhomes, condos, and acreages, supporting strong resale demand.
The community has been recognized as one of Canada's fastest-growing, indicating strong long-term growth potential.
The unemployment rate in Langley is significantly lower than the national average, indicating a healthy job market.
Drawbacks
Commute times can be a significant trade-off, especially for those working outside Langley, due to corridor-based congestion.
Langley's crime rates are higher than the British Columbia average.
While some areas are highly walkable, many neighborhoods in Langley Township are car-dependent.
The rapid growth leads to evolving neighborhood character, which may not appeal to everyone.
Specific pockets within Langley City may be less desirable and should be researched carefully.
Calgary
Advantages
Calgary has a high median household after-tax income compared to other major Canadian cities, at $107,400 CAD (2021 Census).
The city's Crime Severity Index fell to a near historic low of 61.7 in 2025, well below the national average.
Calgary's tech ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, expanding at four times the Canadian average since 2021.
Alberta has the lowest provincial tax rate nationally, with no provincial sales tax or land transfer tax, making everyday purchases and homeownership more affordable.
Calgary offers a high quality of life, with 78% of residents rating it as good or excellent in 2025.
Drawbacks
Despite overall safety, property crime remains a significant concern in Calgary, with 51,999 incidents in 2025.
Calgary is largely a car-dependent city, with an average Walk Score of 39, indicating that most errands require a car.
The unemployment rate in Calgary was 6.8% in December 2025, which, while improved, remains a factor for job seekers.
Only 10% of Calgarians live within walking distance of fast and frequent public transit service, limiting car-free convenience.
Rising housing costs, including rent and home purchase prices, continue to be an important consideration for residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Langley
#3British Columbia, Canada
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,260
Avg Salary
$35,056
Cost Index
95
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
41.0/10
Walkability
44.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
80
Business
75
Calgary
#6Alberta, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,177
Avg Salary
$53,505
Cost Index
65
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.53%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
78
Business
80
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