Financial facts

Approximately a third of your property tax goes to the Province. The remainder is invested in City services such as Fire, Police and Transit. Property taxes make up about half of The City’s Operating Revenue, while the remainder comes from other sources, including user fees, permits, and licensing.

Determining and delivering the services you need

We collected Calgarians input to develop The City’s 2023-2026 service plans and budgets, and make investments in the services that matter most to you. Each year, adjustments can be made by Council to support Calgarians better. Together, we’ve made Calgary one of the most livable cities in the world over the last decade.

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Residential property tax breakdown 

65% funds City of Calgary service

35% goes to The Government of Alberta

Property tax affordability

Calgary remains one of the most affordable cities in Canada for property tax when comparing the median single residential property. Regionally, Calgary remains comparable while offering additional municipal services that nearby cities and townships might not offer. Keeping affordability in mind, Calgary had the smallest average property tax increase of comparable major cities over the past five years. Today, rapid population and inflation growth outpace forecasts, placing pressure on service delivery and Calgarians.

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Three graphs with average property tax information. 

Graph 1: 

% household income spent on property tax

  • Toronto 5.9%
  • Vancouver 5.6%
  • Ottawa 4.2%
  • Edmonton 2.9% 
  • Winnipeg 2.6%
  • Calgary 2.2%
  • Rocky View 2%
  • Okotoks 2.0%
  • Cochrane 2.0%
  • Airdrie 1.9%
  • Chestermere 1.6%

Graph 2: 

Average household property tax paid

  • Toronto $4966
  • Vancouver $4631
  • Ottawa $4327
  • Edmonton $3284
  • Rocky View $3266
  • Okotoks $2637
  • Cochrane $2584
  • Calgary $2564
  • Airdrie $2373
  • Chestermere $2284
  • Winnipeg $2049

Graph 3:

2020-2024 property tax

  • Vancouver 7.04%
  • Toronto 4.07%
  • Edmonton 3.41%
  • Ottawa 2.80%
  • Winnipeg 2.80%
  • Calgary 1.77%

Where do your residential property tax dollars go?

Learn more about the City services partially or fully funded by property tax.

Learn about our Finances

The key factors (and the timeline) that work to determine your annual property tax bill.

How does The City manage its City finances to keep Calgary affordable? Learn how our Total City Operating Expenditures are maintained in line or below the combined rates of population growth and inflation.

Learn more about the City service, capital, and one-time investments Council made as part of The City’s Service Plans and Budget 2024 Adjustments.

Get an estimate, and complete breakdown of your tax bill before it arrives in May. Learn how your money is invested in City service.

Do you pay your property tax monthly? Learn how the TIPP instalment changes in December and July ensure you pay no more or less than your annual tax bill.

How does a change in your property’s assessed value (mailed in January) impact your tax bill?

City finances are impacted by an estimated downloading of $311 million annually from other orders of government. Read the Municipal Fiscal Gap Report.

Learn more about gas and electricity charges, Local Access Fees, and The City’s efforts to investigate changes for Calgarians.

Learn more about why The City has reserves, what they are used for and how they are related to City surplus and how they relate to The City finances.

Managing our finances carefully can result in a favourable operating variance that Council can use to further support Calgarians.


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