Moving from Calgary to Palm Springs

Mid century style, pools and warm desert winters. Here's how life in Palm Springs compares with Calgary, and what changes when you cross the border.

Palm Springs is roughly 21°C warmer than Calgary in January (about -7°C → 14°C), with little or no snow instead of about 128 cm a year and around 33 fewer sunny days. A typical home costs roughly 39% more in Palm Springs (about C$640,000 vs US$650,000, compared at a sample exchange rate), and everyday costs in Palm Springs are above the US average. Income tax goes from a low provincial income tax in Alberta to a high state income tax in California. For lifestyle, you gain small town, warm winters and desert and leave behind big city, skiing and hiking. (Approximate figures.)