Transportation, food costs put pressure on Calgarians: report

A new report shows the price of life in Alberta is higher than it was.

It’s becoming more expensive to live in the city of Calgary, says a new report.

According to Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC), workers need to earn at least $26.50 per hour to cover their basic expenses and maintain “a modest standard of living.”

The figure is $2 more than last year and the VCC says it shows both progress and pressure for Calgarians.

“A living wage is one of the clearest indicators of affordability, and it reminds us that when governments, businesses and communities work together, we can build a city where everyone has enough to live well,” said Dani DeBoice, VCC executive director, in a news release.

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According to VCC, a living wage considers the basic needs of an average household, plus additional costs incurred throughout the year, to allow the household to participate in the local community.

It also considers savings and continuing education.

The main drivers of the increase, according to the organization, are the cost of transportation and food.

The cost of transportation for the average Calgary household is expected to be $9,345 – $2,456 more than what was estimated in 2024.

The VCC said its transportation costs include mileage, fuel costs, licence and registration fees, insurance costs and monthly car payments.

Communities with access to public transit include the cost of one Calgary Transit pass.

In 2024, it estimated the average household would spend $14,997 on food. This year, that figure is forecast to be $15,872.

The VCC said food costs are based on Health Canada’s 2019 national nutritious food basket.

More businesses on board

The organization works with the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) to help small businesses start paying their employees a living wage.

Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK), a company that provides school lunches, is one of the businesses that have partnered with ALWN.

“Being a living-wage employer reflects our values around people and our belief that everyone should be treated with dignity. When our staff are supported and appreciated, they bring their best selves to supporting kids every day. Caring for our team helps us care better for our community—it’s all part of working together to make sure kids have the food they need to thrive,” said Bethany Ross, executive director of BB4CK.

VCC said other businesses participated in a pilot program to help their workers earn a living wage.

The companies involved were all cleaning companies and were supported with goal setting, financial and business advice, and peer mentoring.

Officials said by the end of the pilot, one company was certified as a living-wage employer and two were on track to provide a living wage by the end of the year.

Calgary’s living wage is 77 per cent higher than Alberta’s minimum wage, which is set by the provincial government at $15 per hour.

Alberta’s minimum wage is the lowest among all Canadian provinces and VCC says about 114,000 Albertans live off that income.