Salary Comparison

Software Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Calgary

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Toronto
$92,759
/ year
+9%
difference
Calgary
$84,763
/ year
Bottom line: Calgary offers better purchasing power despite Toronto paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Toronto
Calgary
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$92,759✓ higher
$84,763
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$61,545✓ higher
$56,239
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$139,804✓ higher
$127,753
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$63,076✓ higher
$57,639
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$74,207
$77,057✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.10×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,701✓ higher
$76,485
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$190,133✓ higher
$173,744

What if you move from Toronto to Calgary?

Gross salary change
$7,996
9% decrease
Take-home change
$5,437
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,850
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$92,759
P10: $83,701Median: $92,759P90: $190,133
Calgary$84,763
P10: $76,485Median: $84,763P90: $173,744

More Software Engineer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Software Engineer earn more in Toronto or Calgary?

The median Software Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$126,152/yr compared to CA$115,278/yr in Calgary. Toronto pays 9% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Software Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Calgary after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $74,207/yr in a median-cost city, vs $77,057/yr for Calgary. Calgary offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Software Engineer in Toronto vs Calgary?

After estimated taxes, a Software Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $63,076/yr, vs $57,639/yr in Calgary. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.