Calgary can be an expensive city and the cost of living here is no joke. That said, there are still ways to get around this by choosing an affordable area to live in – which brings us to this article.
We took a deep dive into the rental market in each Calgary neighborhood and found 6 areas with the most affordable rent prices in the city. Take a look at them below.
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1. Renfrew
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,893 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre, community skating rink
Area: 150 ha
Population: 5,629
Located at the northeastern part of Calgary, Renfrew is one of the loveliest yet most affordable residential neighborhoods in Calgary. The space is roughly 150 hectares with only more than 5,000 people living in the space.
The local community is pretty active so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to involve yourself in the improvement of the neighborhood.
In Renfrew, there’s also a school, a public playground, a few churches, some parks, and local facilities to help you stay active like the skating rink and Aquatic & Recreation Centre.
2. Rocky Ridge
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,700 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: Rocky Ridge tennis & basketball court, landing park, public library, Rocky Ridge Park
Population: 6,043
Rocky Ridge is a northwest Calgary residential neighborhood. It’s a great place for families looking for a peaceful area where their children can grow up.
As of the moment, the average rent for a one bedroom apartment in Rocky Ridge is CA$1,700 whereas a 2 bedroom place would cost around $2,200.
While there aren’t any popular destinations here, there are wonderful amenities that can make one feel at home like the Rocky Ridge Park. There are also plenty of opportunities for adults and kids to stay active.
3. Coach Hill
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,500 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: Off-leash dog park, playgrounds
Area: 110 ha
Population: 3,308
Located in southwest Calgary, Coach Hill is smaller than most neighborhoods, which is ideal for those looking for a more tight-knit community.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is CA$1,500. Meanwhile, you need an average $2,100 for a two-bedroom place.
There aren’t a lot of notable attractions here, though the off-leash dog park and the playgrounds are a nice touch for the local families. That said, the famous Bow River is just a few minutes’ drive away.
4. Beddington Heights
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,600 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: Beddington Theatre Art Scene, Beacham park playground, off-leash dog parks, daycare & preschool
Area: 840 ha
Population: 11,926
Beddington Heights is a charming neighborhood located in the northwestern part of the city. It’s home to one of the most popular pizza places in Calgary called Seniore’s Pizza Restaurant.
Aside from that, there are a lot of opportunities here to indulge in the local art scene. There’s the Beddington Theatre Art Scene, which is a performing arts theatre company. This is also where the local theatre company called StoryBook Theatre resides.
And if you’re thinking of raising a family here, there’s a daycare, preschool, and a playground in the neighborhood.
5. Deer Ridge
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,000 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: Outdoor rink, yellow slide park, tennis courts, daycare center, food market
Area: 200 ha
Population: 4,344
Deer Ridge is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Calgary. With just CA$1,000, you can already rent a decent one-bedroom apartment. Meanwhile, a two-bedroom place would cost only CA$1,200.
Do note however, that it’s a long journey to the city center. It would take about an hour by train or a 20-minute drive.
That said, if you don’t mind not living in close quarters to downtown, Deer Ridge might be a nice fit for you. There are plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities because there’s a skating rink, some parks, and tennis courts.
6. Evanston
Estimated cost of rent: CA$1,600 (one-bedroom apartment)
Notable attractions: playgrounds, schools, gym, day care centers, shopping mall
Population: 4,599
A lot of families choose the Evanston neighborhood located in northwest Calgary because everything is in one place. There are playgrounds, schools, daycare centers, a gym, a grocery store, and a shopping mall in this lovely area.
With the cost of rent being CA$1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment, we find it pretty reasonable. Meanwhile, a two-bedroom apartment usually doesn’t cost more than CA$2,000.
If you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city while still having the necessary places within arms reach, your new home might just be at Evanston.
