Performance
Score Breakdown
Calgary
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Calgary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Calgary's average rent is
12% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Calgary | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,177 | $1,338 | -12% |
| Groceries | $268 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $125 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,731 | $1,338 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 30% 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 Calgary is estimated at
$46,129 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Calgary | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,505 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $46,129 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,315 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $69,893 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Calgary | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Calgary.
Calgary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Calgary | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 125.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Calgary is the larger city
— approximately 60.9x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Calgary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Calgary | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,600,000 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.53% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Moscow
#15Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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