Calgary Community Comparison

Carrington vs Livingston

Carrington and Livingston are Calgary's two flagship far-north growth communities — both sit north of Stoney Trail in the developing edge of the city, both opened around 2017-2018, and both are still actively building. They share the same general commute pattern, similar pricing, and similar buyer demographics. The differences are subtle: Livingston has the slightly more advanced retail core, Carrington has slightly larger lots in some sections.

Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Build status — both still active

Both Carrington and Livingston are still under active construction in 2026, with new phases opening yearly. Carrington started in 2017, Livingston followed in 2018. Build-out in both is expected to continue through 2030+. Buyers should expect ongoing construction noise, dust, and street improvements during the next several years — the trade-off for new-build pricing.

Pricing comparison

Carrington detached typically $530K-$850K, with most product in the $580K-$720K range. Livingston detached $550K-$880K, similar concentration around $600K-$750K. Both have townhomes from the high $300Ks and laned/zero-lot homes around $475K-$600K. Pricing is essentially comparable; the per-square-foot delta between the two is small. Builder presence drives pricing more than the community itself.

Builder presence

Carrington and Livingston share many of the same Calgary production builders — Mattamy, Excel Homes, Brookfield, Trico, Truman, Genesis. Buyers can shop the same builder in either community and find very similar home plans. Livingston is a Brookfield Residential master-planned community; Carrington is master-planned by Mattamy Homes. The master-developer's amenity choices are part of the differentiator.

Amenities and community core

Livingston has the Livingston Hub — a community amenity centre with gym, multipurpose rooms, splash park, plus surrounding retail and a planned commercial main street. Carrington has Carrington Plaza retail under development and a community park network, but the central amenity hub is less mature than Livingston's. For buyers prioritising 'community building already exists,' Livingston has the slight edge.

Schools

Both are still in 'busing to other-community schools' phase for parts of the catchment. Carrington School (CBE K-4) opened in 2023; Livingston School (CBE K-4) opened around the same time. High schools for both communities currently route to Nelson Mandela High (CBE) in Skyview Ranch / Saddle Ridge area. CCSD options in the far north are limited and many Catholic families bus to St. Helena (CCSD) or other northern schools.

Commute reality

Both communities sit north of Stoney Trail, which means downtown commutes typically run 30-40 minutes peak via Stoney Trail to Deerfoot. Centre Street North access is improving with the Green Line LRT planning, but neither community has a station — closest LRT for now is McKnight-Westwinds (Blue Line). For downtown commuters, expect 35+ minute drives. For Foothills Industrial / Airport area work, both are well-positioned.

Retail and groceries

Livingston has Livingston Hub retail plus access to the Beddington and Country Hills retail corridors. Carrington's nearest major retail is Crowfoot or Symons Valley (Sage Hill), 10-15 minutes south. Walmart, Costco, and Calgary's biggest big-box options are 15-20 minutes south at CrossIron Mills (Balzac) or Country Hills Crossing. For weekly grocery shopping, expect a short drive in both.

Outdoor amenities

Both communities feature ponds, pathways, and treed parkways in their plans, but the landscape is still maturing. Livingston has more wetland integration in its design; Carrington has a slightly more grid-style street layout. Nose Hill Park is roughly 15 minutes south for both communities — Calgary's second-largest urban park.

Who each community fits best

Carrington fits first-time buyers and young families who want new construction, modest pricing, and a quieter community feel still building toward maturity. Livingston fits buyers who want the same new-construction value but with a more developed community amenity hub already operational. Either choice is essentially future-bet on far-north Calgary growth.

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