Relocating to Calgary as a Tech Professional: The Complete Guide
Moving for a tech role or remote work? Calgary is one of North America’s fastest-growing tech hubs—now ranked #17 in CBRE’s 2025 Scoring Tech Talent—and pairs career momentum with real housing affordability, short commutes, and mountain-side weekends.
I’m Marnie Campbell. For 18+ years, our team has helped hundreds of professionals and families relocate to Calgary with confidence. This page is your definitive playbook—jobs, neighbourhoods, affordability, and the exact steps to land and thrive here.
Why Tech Professionals Are Moving to Calgary
Calgary’s story now includes digital energy—AI/ML, fintech, cleantech, SaaS, data, and product are scaling fast. CBRE’s 2025 report shows Calgary moved up to #17 among top tech markets and recorded the fastest tech-talent growth (+61%) from 2021–2024, adding ~24,500 workers.
For young professionals, that means real job momentum, lower living costs, and the ability to buy sooner without sacrificing city life.
Calgary Tech Talent — 5 Key Stats (CBRE 2025)
- #17 in North America for tech talent (score 55.06).
- 64,600 tech-talent workers; +61.1% growth over 3 years.
- 23,400 software developers & programmers; +125.0% 3-year growth.
- Average tech-talent wage: $104,936 (CAD).
- Modeled annual operating cost for a 500-person tech firm (60,000 sq ft): $39.3M (Talent $38M + Office $1M).
Source: CBRE — Scoring Tech Talent 2025 (Calgary market profile).
.jpg)
Who’s Hiring: Calgary Tech Employers
Calgary is home to both innovative homegrown tech companies and global players expanding their Canadian presence. Here are some of the top employers in Calgary’s technology sector and the roles they’re creating for engineers, developers, and product professionals.
Calgary-Founded / HQ in Calgary
- Neo Financial — Digital banking, credit, and loyalty; hiring across product, engineering, and data.
- Benevity — Global SaaS in corporate purpose; enterprise clients worldwide.
- Replicon — Enterprise SaaS for time tracking and workforce management.
- HelpSeeker Technologies — Social-impact data platform for governments and organizations.
- SensorUp — IoT and emissions data for energy/industrial ESG reporting.
Global Players with Major Calgary Hubs
- Infosys — Digital services & consulting; Calgary Innovation Hub.
- IBM — Enterprise IT, cloud, and AI solutions.
- Cisco — Networking and security; engineering and client solutions roles.
- Garmin — Hardware and software engineering teams.
Cost of Living & Taxes: Calgary vs. Toronto & Vancouver
Your salary stretches further in Calgary. Lower taxes and more affordable housing mean you can own sooner, save more each month, and still enjoy a great lifestyle.
| Metric | Calgary | Toronto | Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer avg. salary (est.) | ~$95K/yr | Higher in absolute terms, but net similar after costs | Higher in absolute terms, but net similar after costs |
| Benchmark home price (Aug 2025) | $577,200 (total residential) | Significantly higher | Significantly higher |
| Sales tax | 5% GST only (no PST) | 13% HST | 5% GST + 7% PST |
| Land transfer tax / title fees | No LTT; modest land-title & mortgage registration fees | LTT adds thousands at closing | LTT adds thousands at closing |
Tech Salary Ranges in Calgary (50th–75th percentile)
- Software Engineer: $85K–$115K
- Data Scientist: $85K–$110K
- Product Manager: $95K–$125K
- Cloud/DevOps Engineer: $90K–$120K
- UX/UI Designer: $70K–$95K
Estimates synthesized from Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and Payscale (Sept 2025).
While absolute salaries may be slightly higher in Toronto or Vancouver, Calgary’s affordable housing, no provincial sales tax, and lower closing costs create a stronger path to wealth-building.
Lifestyle & Work–Life Balance
In Calgary, you can finish work and be on a mountain trail, in a brewery, or at a festival all within the same day.
- Mountains nearby: Banff & Kananaskis ~1 hour.
- Short commutes: Many under 30 minutes—even from suburbs.
- Culture & food: Festivals, craft breweries, a growing arts scene.
- Outdoors: 1,000+ km of pathways for cycling, running, river walks.
Best Calgary Neighbourhoods for Tech Professionals
From walkable inner-city hubs to suburban lake communities and luxury enclaves, Calgary has neighbourhoods to match every tech professional’s lifestyle.
Urban & Walkable
- Beltline — High-energy, walkable, close to downtown offices and coworking; great for car-light living with cafés, gyms, and nightlife.
- Bridgeland — Trendy urban village with river pathways and easy bike access; strong community vibe and boutique dining.
- Mission — Riverside and upscale with excellent dining and nightlife; quick commute to the Core and coworking hubs.
- Kensington (Hillhurst/Sunnyside) — Cafés, shops, and LRT access; walk or bike downtown, great for hybrid schedules.
Creative & Cultural
- Inglewood — Creative and historic with galleries, music venues, and indie shops; popular with design, product, and data professionals.
- East Village — Revitalized downtown area with condo living, events, and riverfront access.
- Erlton — Walkable community near the Saddledome and Stampede Park, with riverside trails and CTrain access.
Family-Friendly & Suburban
- Mahogany — Suburban lake community with beaches, parks, and larger homes; ideal for families and hybrid workers.
- Auburn Bay — Family-focused lake community with schools, parks, and South Health Campus nearby.
- Evanston — NW master-planned community with schools, shopping, and quick access to Stoney Trail.
- West Springs — Newer homes, top-rated schools, convenient access to the Rockies.
Luxury & Upscale
- Aspen Woods — Prestigious West Calgary community with luxury estates, private schools, and quick mountain access.
- Mount Royal — Historic luxury neighbourhood with tree-lined streets, close to downtown.
- Elbow Park — Upscale riverside community with character homes and walkability.
- West Hillhurst — Inner-NW luxury infills and renovated character homes; close to the river pathways, Foothills, and U of C.
- Britannia — Exclusive SW enclave with estate lots and river views.
Explore more: Homes for Sale Calgary Tech Professionals Will Love
Relocation Challenges & How We Solve Them
The Marnie Campbell Real Estate Team has helped hundreds of professionals and families relocate to Calgary. We know the challenges tech professionals face when moving for work—and we’ve built a process to make it smoother:
1. Housing Affordability & Timing
Calgary is more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver, but market conditions shift quickly. The challenge is finding the right home at the right time.
- Real-time market insights so you understand timing and competition.
- Plan for seasonal inventory swings and structure offers that win.
2. Aligning Job Start & Possession Dates
Many tech roles come with tight start dates. If possession doesn’t line up, you may be stuck in temporary housing.
- Sequence financing, offers, and closing to match your employment timeline.
- Coordinate with mortgage partners and lawyers to avoid gaps.
3. Short-Term Housing Strategy
Landing without a home lined up can feel stressful. Hotels are expensive, and rentals can be hard to secure on short notice.
- Connections to furnished rental options that work for 1–3 months.
- Neighbourhoods to test drive so you can explore before buying.
4. Neighbourhood Fit vs. Commute Needs
Balancing lifestyle (walkability, culture, schools) with job location or hybrid commute can be tricky.
- Community recommendations aligned with your family, lifestyle, and budget.
- Assess your remote/hybrid setup and commute tolerances.
5. Closing Costs & Local Rules
Relocating often means surprises with fees, taxes, and closing costs that differ from your province or country.
- Explain Alberta’s cost advantages (no land transfer tax, no PST).
- Walk through closing-cost scenarios so you know what to expect.
Not sure where to start? Book a 15-minute relocation consult or read our Calgary Relocation Guide.
How to Relocate Smoothly to Calgary (7 Steps)
Relocating doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Follow these steps to keep your move organized and stress-free:
- Confirm your role & start date. Clarify onsite/remote/hybrid expectations and target possession timing.
- Choose your real estate agent. Partner with a relocation-focused REALTOR® who knows Calgary’s neighbourhoods, timing, and market.
- Get pre-approved & map your budget. Lock in financing and set a clear price range.
- Shortlist neighbourhoods. Compare commute times, lifestyle fit, and housing options.
- Decide: short-term rental or buy now. Secure a furnished rental while exploring, or dive straight into ownership. Note: Most real estate agents in Alberta do not place tenants or handle rental searches.
- Tour & secure the right home. In-person or virtual tours; align showings and possession with your start date.
- Set up essentials. Arrange schools, utilities, healthcare, banking, and movers.
Your Calgary Relocation Experts
We’ve helped 800+ professionals and families relocate with confidence—combining market data, neighbourhood expertise, and a white-glove process tailored to tech talent.
- Neighbourhood strategy around your commute or hybrid schedule
- Data-backed affordability and ownership paths
- Tour plans & digital walkthroughs for out-of-province buyers
FAQs: Relocating to Calgary as a Tech Professional
Is Calgary really a growing tech hub?
Yes. Calgary has shifted from energy-only to a diversified tech economy. Ranked #17 in North America for tech talent (CBRE 2025), our city also posted the fastest tech-talent growth between 2021–2024. You’ll find momentum in fintech, AI/ML, SaaS, and cleantech—plus a cost structure that actually supports building a life here.
What types of tech jobs are available in Calgary?
Plenty. Core roles include software engineering, data science, product management, DevOps/cloud, and UX/UI. Calgary-founded companies like Neo Financial, Benevity, and Replicon are scaling, while global firms such as Infosys, IBM, Cisco, and Garmin continue to hire across engineering, product, and data.
How do Calgary tech salaries compare to Toronto or Vancouver?
Salaries are competitive—e.g., software engineers average around $95K/year. While Toronto/Vancouver may post slightly higher pay, Calgary’s lower housing costs, no provincial sales tax, and no land transfer tax often make your net take-home and path to ownership stronger here.
Is Calgary more affordable for housing?
Absolutely. Calgary’s benchmark home price remains well below Vancouver and Toronto. Combined with lower closing costs and no PST, most of our relocating clients find they can purchase years sooner in Calgary—without giving up lifestyle.
Which Calgary neighbourhoods are best for tech professionals?
It depends on your lifestyle. Consider Beltline or Mission for walkable, urban living; Bridgeland or Inglewood for creative energy; Mahogany or Auburn Bay for family-friendly lake communities; and Aspen Woods or Britannia for luxury.
How long are commutes in Calgary?
Short. Many of our clients see commutes under 30 minutes, even from popular suburbs. If you prefer car-light living, inner-city areas like Beltline, Mission, and Kensington (Hillhurst/Sunnyside) put you close to offices, coworking, and the CTrain.
What’s the lifestyle like outside of work?
Balanced. You’re an hour to the mountains, steps from 1,000+ km of pathways, and surrounded by festivals, breweries, and an evolving food and arts scene. It’s common to finish work and be on a trail, at a show, or meeting friends on a patio the same evening.
What are the biggest challenges when relocating for a tech job?
The top hurdles are lining up possession with your start date, choosing the right community for your commute/lifestyle, and getting financing sorted early. That’s where our process shines—we map timelines, recommend neighbourhoods, and coordinate the details so you can focus on your role.
Do you work with international clients?
Yes. While immigration paperwork is your responsibility, we handle the housing side—from virtual consultations and digital tours to a step-by-step plan that fits your arrival. Our goal is to make Calgary feel like home, fast.
How will the Marnie Campbell Real Estate Team help me relocate?
We’ve helped 800+ professionals and families relocate with confidence. Expect: market insights tailored to tech, neighbourhood recommendations based on commute and lifestyle, virtual tours, short-term housing guidance, and a clear path to ownership in Calgary. Book a 15-minute consult and we’ll build your plan.
Last updated: September 2025 • Data sources: CBRE (2025), CREB (Aug 2025), Glassdoor/Levels.fyi/Payscale (Sept 2025)