May 7, 2026
We all have that one friend who loves their house but cannot stand the neighbourhood construction. For Calgarians, that sentiment is currently playing out on a citywide scale.
According to the 2024 Spring Survey of Calgarians, 7 in 10 residents still rate their overall quality of life as good. It’s a solid number that many cities would envy, yet it marks a notable slide from the 80% range we saw just a few years ago.
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The disconnect is not about the "what" of Calgary living — it’s the "how" of getting around it.
While Calgarians are generally happy with their city, their patience is wearing thin the moment we shift the car into drive.
The traffic tax on our time
When you look at the data, it’s clear that "infrastructure, traffic and roads" has claimed the top spot on the list of local concerns. It’s not just about the frustration of a red light; it’s an issue that hits you right in the wallet. Time spent idling in traffic is time away from work, family or side projects.
According to the city's spring report, only 38% of residents feel Calgary is moving in the right direction to ensure a high quality of life for future generations. That’s a steep drop from 51% only a year prior. When the commute gets longer and the potholes get deeper, the perceived value of our tax dollars starts to shift.
"I think a lot of Calgarians have lost trust and confidence in this council," Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean told LiveWire Calgary following the survey release (1). This sentiment is backed by the numbers. For the first time in nearly a decade, the perceived value of property taxes fell below a majority, with only 44% of respondents saying they receive good value for their tax dollars.
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Balancing the city budget with your wallet
This survey forms a roadmap for where municipal spending is likely to head. The City of Calgary has already earmarked $30 million for improving pavement quality on high speed corridors and another $10 million for critical slope and wall repairs.
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For the average homeowner, this translates to a balancing act. The 2025 budget includes a municipal property tax increase of roughly 3.9% (2). For a typical household, that’s an extra $8.37 per month. While that might seem small, it comes alongside a 3.7% increase in waste, recycling and water utilities.
When analyzing these figures, the takeaway for homeowners is to track infrastructure developments within their specific quadrant. Property values in Calgary are often tied to accessibility. If a route to the downtown core is slated for major upgrades, the short term pain of construction usually leads to a long term gain in home equity.
Where the silver lining sits
Despite the gripes about gridlock, Calgary remains a powerhouse for "making a life." Even with the recent dips, 69% of people agree this is a great place to put down roots, and 63% view it as a great place to make a living (3).
The challenge moving forward is ensuring that the "living" part is not overshadowed by the "driving" part. As the city administration looks toward a potential $5 billion capital spending target to address aging infrastructure, the conversation for residents will remain focused on one question: is the smoother ride worth the higher tax bill?
"There is a disconnect, but the discontent is real," Coun. Kourtney Penner noted during budget discussions. For those of us watching our personal bottom lines, staying informed on these survey trends is the best way to anticipate where our tax dollars — and our time — will go next.
Article Sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our ethics and guidelines.
LiveWire Calgary (1); City of Calgary (2),(3)
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Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
