Grad Student Cost of Living Calculator

Starting a new graduate program in a new city can be overwhelming. We're here to help!
The GSA developed an online cost-of-living calculator that will give graduate students a better idea of the fiscal realities of living in Calgary. The calculator is originally developed by the Newcomers and International Students Subcommittee in 2016, and is now maintained by GSA Staff.
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Please remember that the Calculator should be used as an estimation tool. All costs shown are estimates and all financial and life situations are not able to be accommodated.

Graduate Student Online Cost-of-Living Calculator

Give students a better idea of the fiscal realities of living in Calgary. Please disable any pop-up blocker in your browser when using this form. You may need to open external links for more information on subjects.

GET STARTED

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Thank you for using this tool. Click here to start a new session. Send us any feedback/comments at gsacomm@ucalgary.ca.

Let us get to know you


Select this option if you have children.

Select the quantity of pet dogs you own. The price is based on adoption rate, license, food, and basic vaccination & health exam for a single pet.

Select the quantity of pet cats you own. The price is based on adoption rate, license, food, and basic vaccination & health exam for a single pet.

Select if you are a Canadian/Permanent Resident

Select if you are an International Student

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Tuition Fees

Tuition Fee for Canadian/Permanent Residents. Please click on the boxes select an option.




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Tuition Fees

To know more about tuition fees in general and descriptions of each, please click here.




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Program Specific Fees

For more information of program-specific fees, visit: U of C Graduate Program-Specific Fees * In some cases, departments will give back a percentage of the visa differential (difference between the cost of an international student to attend the UofC and what is charged to Permanent Residents and Canadian citizens) back to the student. Please check with your Graduate Program Advisor to determine what your department’s policy is.

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Program Specific Fees

* For more information of program-specific fees, visit: U of C Graduate Program-Specific Fees * In some cases, departments will give back a percentage of the visa differential (difference between the cost of an international student to attend the UofC and what is charged to Permanent Residents and Canadian citizens) back to the student. Please check with your Graduate Program Advisor to determine what your department’s policy is. Tuition information applies for students admitted Spring 2020 and later.

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General Fees

For more information on fees, how these are broken down and detailed descriptions of each, please refer to Graduate Tuition and General Fees

Select if you are studying as a full-time student

Select if you are studying as a part-time student

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Housing

Sharing an apartment or house with other people will significantly decrease the cost of rent and utilities (the price of renting a room ranges between $400-$600, costs might be higher if the room is fully furnished). Additionally, please consider the option to live close to public transportation as that will considerably improve your quality of life.

Source: Rentals.ca


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Crowsnest Hall

Fully-furnished rooms. Utilities such as water, gas and electricity as well as internet are included in rent

Source: https://www.ucalgary.ca/ancillary/residence/live-us/places-live/rates-2022-2023/rates-2023-2024

Select the number of months you will be renting. Max 12 months.

(Family Housing units are unfurnished except for a refrigerator, stove with oven and blinds. Water, gas and electricity are included in rent)

Only two options for students living in Crowsnest Hall

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Utilities

The following utilities are included in the rent payment. Therefore, some costs are mandatory, and dependent on the housing selection.

The following mandatory costs are included in the monthly rental fee for off campus living. The following selected items are mandatory and are not optional.
The following mandatory costs are included in the monthly rental fee for on campus living. The following selected items are mandatory and are not optional.

More information on damage/security deposits. Visit landlordandtenant.org This cost is mandatory and cannot be opted out of.


More information on tenant insurance rates, visit insureeye.com This cost is mandatory and cannot be opted out of.


(Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) estimated at $250/month (Please note: The actual cost is dependent on many factors such as usage, number of people in the house, or the size of the house, etc.) For more information on basic utilities' pricing, please visit enmax.com/home/understanding-your-bill


Cable costs an average of $56/month per household.


Most internet providers offer student discounts.

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Food & Phone Expenses

Each expense calculated for a 12 month period.


The average monthly spending for food is $374.40/mo. This includes food purchased from stores and food purchased from restaurants. Please note that your total food cost could be higher if you have dependents and other family members. Source: Numbeo.Com.


The average monthly spending for a mobile phone plan with 10GB data is $59/mo, according to the Numbeo.Com.

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Transportation

Adult Monthly Pass (18+ y/o): $112/month (as of Aug. 2023)
Youth Monthly Pass (6-17 y/o): $82/month.
Low-income Monthly Pass: Band C: $56/monthDependent on your income
See eligibility.

As a full-time student, the Universal Pass Program (UPass) is included in your general fees. The UPass is a transit sticker applied to the Unicard that entitles full-time students access to transit services for the applicable term(s).


Car expenses include: gas, vehicle registration, insurance, and parking. Expenses are calculated over the course of 12 months.

To apply for an annual (12 month) parking permit, you will most likely need to join a waiting list well in advance. For that and information regarding hourly rates, please refer to: https://www.ucalgary.ca/ancillary/parking/parking-permits/parking-rates-0

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Family & Pets

Select this option if you own pets.

Select the quantity of pet dogs you own. The price is based on adoption rate, license, food, and basic vaccination & health exam for a single pet.

Select the quantity of pet cats you own. The price is based on adoption rate, license, food, and basic vaccination & health exam for a single pet.

Select this option if you have members in your family that you support financially.

This calculates the food/groceries expenses per family member; average of $250/mo per dependent family member.

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Student with children

Education fees for children in the infant, toddler, preschooler, and school-age age range. Please select how many of your children apply to each age range.

The City of Calgary provides programs and Services for low income people residing in Calgary through the Fee Assistance program. These include recreation and fitness facilities (Aquatic Fitness Facilities, Leisure centers), registered programs (dance, skateboard, nature, swimming, sports lessons, etc), low-income transit passes, etc. For more information, visit: calgary.ca


Please note that the estimated costs displayed are for full-time childcare services. These estimated costs don't take into account government subsidies that you might be eligible for. Read more here: Child Care Subsidy

$1,170/mo. before subsidy - prices calculated over the course of 12 months.

$1,050/mo. before subsidy - prices calculated over the course of 12 months.

$1,033/mo. before subsidy - prices calculated over the course of 12 months.

$595/year for basic expenses: instructional supplies and materials, and school bus transportation. Fees not covered: school-based and course specific fees for each school. * For low-income families and families who can’t afford to pay fees, there is a Waiver Process.

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Contingency

Please remember that all costs are estimates and might not accurately reflect your situation; for this reason and to account for unexpected expenses you might incur, please allow 10-15% contingency to this budget.


This option will calculate 15% of your current cost and add it to your total cost.


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Living On or Off Campus

Will you be living on or off campus?

Select this option if you will be living off-campus

Select this option if you will be living on campus

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Healthcare Expense

Most people living and working in Alberta get universal access to hospital and medical services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). AHCIP is free and is covered by the Government of Alberta. Most temporary residents (under a study or work permit) and their families are also eligible. Click here for AHCIP forms.

The GSA provides mandatory supplemental health and dental coverage as part of your general fees. For information about coverage and possible extra expenses, refer to studentcare.ca . If you’re already covered by an equivalent health and/or dental plan (such as a parent or spouse’s employee benefit plan, or a plan provided by your band council or through Health Canada), you can opt out and receive a credit for the amount of the Plan.


Health Plans are not included in the part time student fees, but you can choose to opt in for a coverage.


Dental Plans are not included in the part time student fees, but you can choose to opt in for a coverage.

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Health Care Expense

Most people living and working in Alberta get universal access to hospital and medical services under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). AHCIP is free and is covered by the Government of Alberta. Most temporary residents (under a study or work permit) and their families are also eligible. Click here for AHCIP forms.

The GSA provides mandatory supplemental health and dental coverage as part of your general fees. For information about coverage and possible extra expenses, refer to studentcare.ca . If you’re already covered by an equivalent health and/or dental plan (such as a parent or spouse’s employee benefit plan, or a plan provided by your band council or through Health Canada), you can opt out and receive a credit for the amount of the Plan.


Health Plans are included in the full time student fees, but you can choose to opt out and receive your credit.


Dental Plans are included in the full time student fees, but you can choose to opt out and receive your credit.

If you choose to opt out of the health & dental plan, you must provide proof of alternative health and/or dental coverage such as a copy of your benefits card, proof of insurance, or letter from your parents' or spouse employer.

Please visit this studentcare.ca to learn more.

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Final Annual Cost

Thank you for using this tool. Please keep in mind all costs are estimated.



Summary

Description Information Quantity Cost in CAD/year
Discount :
Total :

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