COST OF LIVING IN ALBERTA
- Thread starter Wellbeing
- Start date
Big province so depends where you live. Are you buying or renting? Do you have a car or using public transportation? Do you need childcare? Here is Calgary.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Calgary
In Feb 2023, you will have to spend a minimum of $3200 to live in Alberta with a family of four. That is, when you are living at limited resources with zero dollar for entertainment or restaurants. For a lower middle class life, you need $4000.
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Approx. monthly expenses break down given below:
Rent including utilities: $1200 to $1600
2 mobile phones with data: $100 to $160
Two adult bus passes (for using bus for transportation): $224 ($112 per head for adults; $82 per head for kids; FREE for kids under 12 years of age)
If you buy car(s): You may subtract any bus passes that won't be used and then add $200 for gas price+$300 for car insurance+$8 for registration+$25 to $50 for maintenance (if you have car loan, that should be added here)
Child care (day care): $290 to $600 per child depending on the day care (remaining amount given by government as long as both of you are working; if one of you is not working then daycare expense will be $1300 to $2000; enquire with atleast 10 to 20 daycares until you get the cheapest)
Schooling is almost free (annual cost for books etc is about $200/kid)
Medical expenses: All treatment at hospitals including medicines you eat while you stay in the hospital are free; when you leave the hospital you have to purchase your medicines; all doctor consultations at all medical clinics are free; you have to spend money to purchase the medicines they suggest/prescribe during the free consultation. any prescription medication is approximately between $20 to $50. Any OTC medication is approx btw $5 to $30.
Dental and eye consultations are NOT free. You have to spend money for those. Each consultation is approximately $75 to $120. A pair of glasses including frame costs approx $200 to $400.
Grocery for four to cook at home: $1000
Miscellaneous costs: $200
-------------------------------------------------------------
Approx. monthly expenses break down given below:
Rent including utilities: $1200 to $1600
2 mobile phones with data: $100 to $160
Two adult bus passes (for using bus for transportation): $224 ($112 per head for adults; $82 per head for kids; FREE for kids under 12 years of age)
If you buy car(s): You may subtract any bus passes that won't be used and then add $200 for gas price+$300 for car insurance+$8 for registration+$25 to $50 for maintenance (if you have car loan, that should be added here)
Child care (day care): $290 to $600 per child depending on the day care (remaining amount given by government as long as both of you are working; if one of you is not working then daycare expense will be $1300 to $2000; enquire with atleast 10 to 20 daycares until you get the cheapest)
Schooling is almost free (annual cost for books etc is about $200/kid)
Medical expenses: All treatment at hospitals including medicines you eat while you stay in the hospital are free; when you leave the hospital you have to purchase your medicines; all doctor consultations at all medical clinics are free; you have to spend money to purchase the medicines they suggest/prescribe during the free consultation. any prescription medication is approximately between $20 to $50. Any OTC medication is approx btw $5 to $30.
Dental and eye consultations are NOT free. You have to spend money for those. Each consultation is approximately $75 to $120. A pair of glasses including frame costs approx $200 to $400.
Grocery for four to cook at home: $1000
Miscellaneous costs: $200
Yes, you can spend even $10,000 per month on rent, depending on where (luxury) you choose to live. All the expenses I have given are for people with the lowest income.
The rent I quoted is for a basement with 2 bedrooms. My friend is living in a basement with two bedrooms with separate entrance (1 bath) in Calgary and she is paying $1200 (utlilities included).
Another friend is staying in a basement with 2 big bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. She is paying $1600.
For a 2 bedroom apartment, you will spend between $1800 to $2400.
Important to mention that that is the lowest rent and that is often a basement. The cheapest apartments may not be available since inexpensive apartments are rented quite fast. The budget needs to allow for a bit of a higher rent if being realistic.
Also depending upon the time of year when the admission starts (international students arrival) its most likely the rents will increase, also avoid social network and try renting from real estate as sometimes you get good deals as well as good condition apartments and sometimes basements (look for legal basements)
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