Can I Afford a Home in Okotoks or Should I Look at Calgary? (Let’s Compare)

Okotoks or Calgary: where should your money go when it comes to buying a home in 2025? If you’re scrolling MLS listings while sipping coffee and wondering why everything suddenly costs more than your firstborn, you’re not alone. Home prices are up, interest rates are still doing their thing, and buyers everywhere are trying to figure out where they’ll get the most bang for their buck. So let’s cut through the noise and compare what your budget really gets you in Okotoks vs Calgary. Spoiler: it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about lifestyle, space, and whether you want your weekends to feel like a rat race or a breath of fresh air.

First Things First: What’s the Market Saying?

As of summer 2025, the average detached home price in Calgary is hovering around $740,000. In Okotoks? You’re looking at closer to $620,000. That’s a solid $100K+ difference—and we’re talking apples to apples in terms of house size and finishings. Want a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home with a decent yard and a garage? In Calgary, that might put you in an older neighborhood with limited parking and zero yard privacy. In Okotoks, you could have a newer build on a quiet street, walking distance to a school, a park, and probably a coffee shop that knows your order by week two.

The Real Estate Breakdown: What Your Money Gets You

Here’s a quick side-by-side so you can see how the numbers stack up:

With a $650,000 budget:

In Calgary:

• Likely an older home, possibly semi-detached or townhouse

• Smaller lot, more congestion

• Limited upgrades unless you’re looking far out in new communities like Livingston or Rangeview

• Commute times and traffic? Yep, still a thing

In Okotoks:

• Detached home, possibly 2,000+ sq ft

• Larger yard (hello, backyard BBQs)

• Bonus room, finished basement, maybe even a view of the foothills

• Quieter streets, more parking, and walkability to local schools and parks

This isn’t just real estate FOMO—it’s actual value for your money.

The “But I Work in Calgary” Argument

Totally valid. And yes, commuting from Okotoks to Calgary is a thing—but it’s not the monster people make it out to be. From most parts of Okotoks, it’s a 35 to 50 minute drive to downtown Calgary. If you’ve got hybrid flexibility or a job closer to the south side, the commute is extremely doable. And unlike Calgary, you’re heading against rush hour traffic, which saves you a lot of grief (and gas).

Oh, and while we're here—parking in Okotoks? Free. Easy. Abundant. No fighting for a curb space or dealing with permit zones every time your in-laws show up.

Okotoks Isn’t Just Cheaper—It’s Calmer

Affordability is one thing, but let’s talk about lifestyle. Okotoks gives you:

• Bigger yards and smaller class sizes

• More community, less chaos

• Trails, river walks, local markets, and actual stars at night

• Solid schools, great sports programs, and a pace of life that doesn’t leave you drained by Tuesday

And you're still close enough to Calgary to hit up Costco, Ikea, or the Flames game whenever you want. It’s the best of both worlds—small-town living with big-city access.

So…Can You Afford Okotoks?

Here’s the truth: if you’re already looking in Calgary’s mid-range market, you can absolutely afford Okotoks—and likely get a lot more for your money. The key is working with someone (hi, it’s me) who knows both markets inside and out and can help you spot the real gems. Whether you're a first-time buyer, upgrading from a condo, or ready to put roots down for your growing family, Okotoks might just be the sweet spot you didn’t know you were looking for.