Same Budget. Two Cities. Completely Different Realities.

Every year, I have clients ask the same question:
“What does $1 million buy me in Calgary compared to Vancouver?”

And every year, the answer gets more dramatic.

In 2025, the gap between the two markets isn’t just big — it’s an entirely different lifestyle, value structure, and buyer experience.

Think of it like comparing a horse pasture to a parking stall.
Same cost… very different vibe. 😅

Let’s take a closer look.

🏡 Calgary: Space, Flexibility, and Actual Breathing Room

In Calgary, $1M still stretches — and stretches far.

What you can realistically get:
✔ A detached home
✔ 2,000–3,000+ sq ft
✔ 4+ bedrooms
✔ Updated finishes
✔ A real yard
✔ A double or triple garage
✔ Quiet streets, green space, pathways
✔ Mountain access within an hour

And if you’re acreage-inclined?
For $1M you can often find:
🌾 2–4 acres
🏠 A well-kept house
🏚 A barn, shop, or outbuilding
🚗 More parking than you’ll ever need

You’re not just buying a home — you’re buying lifestyle, land, and long-term value.

🏙️ Vancouver: Premium Price for Premium Density

Let’s be honest: Vancouver is stunning.
Ocean. Mountains. City.
Zero complaints there.

But when it comes to real estate value, 2025 continues the same trend:
$1M = not very much space.

What $1M typically gets you in Vancouver:
✔ A one-bedroom condo
✔ 650–800 sq ft
✔ No yard
✔ No garage
✔ Shared amenities
✔ Lots of neighbours (very close)

Sometimes you can find a small two-bedroom if the building is older or located farther from downtown — but space is scarce, and competition is intense.

You’re paying for location, density, and access… not square footage.

🔍 Why the Difference Matters in 2025

This isn’t a “Calgary vs Vancouver — which is better?” conversation.
They’re totally different markets serving totally different lifestyles.

But for many buyers — especially:
• young families
• remote workers
• move-up buyers
• people relocating from BC

…this comparison is a turning point.

Calgary offers stability, affordability, space, and lifestyle flexibility without sacrificing amenities or career opportunity.
That’s a huge 2025 draw.

🛣️ Lifestyle Differences at a Glance

CALGARY

🌳 Big yards
🚗 Easy commuting
🐶 Dog-friendly living
🌄 Weekend mountain access
🏡 Space to grow
💰 Lower taxes
🛒 Affordable cost of living
➡ Balanced family + professional lifestyle

VANCOUVER

🌊 Ocean views
🏙️ Walkability + urban energy
🚲 Car-optional lifestyle
☕ World-class food + coffee
💼 More global corporate presence
💸 High cost of living
➡ Fast-paced, urban lifestyle

Different strengths.
Different appeals.
Different financial realities.

📸 Real Buyer Example

A recent client relocated from Vancouver to Calgary with a $1M budget.
In Vancouver: they were looking at a 690 sq ft condo.
In Calgary: they bought a 2,600 sq ft detached home on a quiet street with a triple garage and a massive yard.

Same budget.
Completely different life.

💡 So Which City Is “Better”?

Neither.
It depends who you are and what stage of life you’re in.

But here’s the truth that surprises a lot of people:
If lifestyle, space, family balance, and affordability matter to you — Calgary wins in 2025, hands down.

And that’s why we’re seeing thousands of people relocate from BC to Alberta every year.

📩 Get the Full Calgary vs Vancouver Comparison Guide

I built a simple, visual comparison that breaks everything down:
📏 Square footage differences
💸 Price breakdowns
🗺️ Lifestyle trade-offs
🏡 What $1M buys in each market
⛰️ Neighbourhood examples
🚗 Commute considerations
🌆 Photos + side-by-side layouts

DM me “1M GUIDE” and I’ll send it to you personally.

❓ FAQ

Q: Is $1M a good budget in Calgary?
A: Absolutely. It puts you in move-up or near-luxury territory.

Q: Can you get a detached home for $1M in Vancouver?
A: Very rarely. Mostly older teardown-type properties or extremely small lots.

Q: Why do so many people leave BC for Alberta?
A: Value, affordability, taxes, space, and balanced living.

Q: Which city has better long-term real estate appreciation?
A: Both perform well, but Calgary offers a much lower entry point and faster lifestyle ROI.

📚 Related Reading

• 🏡 Top 5 Calgary Neighbourhoods Everyone’s Talking About in 2025

• 💡 Why Everyone’s Moving to Calgary in 2025 — And Not Just for the Oil Jobs

• 📉 Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Calgary? Here’s the 2025 Reality Check

About Kristen Edmunds

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

The Calgary real estate market continued its shift in June 2025, with sales activity cooling while new listings surged, creating more balance for buyers and sellers. According to the latest CREB® (Calgary Real Estate Board) market update, June marked another month of important changes in pricing, supply, and demand.

Key Highlights from June 2025

• Home Sales: 2,286 homes sold in June 2025, down 16% year-over-year compared to June 2024.

• New Listings: 4,223 new listings hit the market, up 11% year-over-year, helping boost supply.

• Benchmark Price: $586,200, down 3.6% annually and 0.6% monthly, signaling slight but steady price adjustments.

• Sales-to-New Listings Ratio (SNLR): 54%, reflecting a balanced market.

• Inventory: Supply levels continued to climb, reaching levels not seen since pre-pandemic years.

Home Prices by Property Type

• Detached Homes: Average price of $820,000, down 1.1% year-over-year.

• Semi-Detached Homes: Average price of $701,000, up 5.4% year-over-year, showing strength in this segment.

• Townhouses: Average price of $466,000, down 2.6% year-over-year.

• Condo Apartments: Average price of $352,000, down 1.6% year-over-year.

Detached and townhouse sectors saw modest declines, while semi-detached homes bucked the trend with healthy annual growth. Apartment condos remain the softest segment, with both prices and sales under pressure.

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, June’s market conditions offered more choice and negotiating power than in 2024. Rising inventory and balanced conditions mean fewer bidding wars and more opportunities to find the right property at the right price. Mortgage rates—hovering around 3.94% for a 3-year fixed term—also provided some relief for qualified buyers.

What This Means for Sellers

Sellers are facing a more competitive environment as new listings outpace sales. Pricing strategically and preparing homes for sale are critical in this environment. While detached and semi-detached homes are holding value relatively well, row and condo sellers may need to adjust expectations given softer demand.

Looking Ahead

The Calgary housing market is rebalancing after years of tight supply. With more inventory coming online and sales activity moderating, we can expect prices to remain under slight pressure through the summer. That said, Calgary’s relative affordability compared to other Canadian cities continues to support long-term demand.

Final Thoughts

The June 2025 CREB® housing report highlights a market that’s shifting toward balance. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or considering selling, staying informed on the latest stats is key to making confident decisions.

If you’d like a personalized market analysis for your Calgary community or property type, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to provide you with tailored insights.

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.