Calgary among Canada's most affordable cities for renters seeking vacation balance
A new study comparing rent and vacation costs found Calgary renters spend about 18 percent of income on housing, leaving room for travel.
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Calgary is among Canada's most affordable cities for renters balancing housing and vacation costs, according to a new study by real estate platform Zoocasa.
The study compared average rent and vacation budgets across 28 Canadian metro areas, looking at how much housing costs consume from after-tax household income and how that changes when a typical $2,278 vacation is factored in.
Nationally, rent alone accounts for between 15 and 33 percent of household income, depending on the city. When vacation costs are added, that figure climbs above 50 percent in many markets.
In Calgary, renters spend about 18 percent of their income on rent each month. Adding the average vacation cost of $2,278 brings the combined total to about 42 percent of income — placing Calgary among the most affordable spots in the country.
St. John's offers the most breathing room, with rent taking up about 16 percent of household income and combined rent-plus-vacation totalling just 34 percent. Halifax follows with 37 percent combined.
Alberta's other major city, Edmonton, also landed on the more affordable end, with rent and travel expenses accounting for 45 percent of income. The comparison paints a starkly different picture in major metros: in Vancouver, rent plus vacation costs consume 69 percent of a monthly budget. Toronto sits at 62 percent, and Peterborough at 63 percent.
The facts
What percentage of income do Calgary renters spend on housing?
Calgary renters spend about 18 percent of their income on rent each month.
How much of their budget goes to rent and vacation combined in Calgary?
In Calgary, rent plus an average vacation cost of $2,278 accounts for about 42 percent of renters' income.
How many Canadian metro areas did the study compare?
The study by real estate platform Zoocasa compared average rent and vacation budgets across 28 Canadian metro areas.
Which Canadian city has the most affordable rent-and-vacation balance?
St. John's offers the most breathing room, with rent taking up about 16 percent of household income and combined rent-plus-vacation totalling just 34 percent.
