Skyline of Edmonton
Cost of Living: 97.4 1,010,899

Edmonton, Canada

Alberta's capital with the most affordable housing of any major Canadian city, a massive river valley park system, and no provincial sales tax.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 97.4

Below Average vs Canada Avg (100)

Housing Index 96.8

Affordable

Median Income C$72,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.3%

Job market health

Edmonton vs Canada Average

Cost of Living
Edmonton: 97.4
Canada Avg: 100
Housing Index
Edmonton: 96.8
Canada Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Edmonton: 10%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10.0%
  • Sales Tax: 5.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: C$72,000
  • Unemployment: 6.3%
  • Population: 1,010,899

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 234/year
  • Summer High: 76°F
  • Winter Low: 3°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4a

Housing

  • Median Home: C$410,000
  • 1BR Rent: C$1300/mo

Cost of Living

Edmonton's cost of living index is 97.4 (Canada average = 100).

CategoryEdmontonNational AverageDifference
Overall97.4100-2.6%
Housing96.8100-3.2%

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceC$410,000
Median Rent (1BR)C$1300/mo
Median Rent (2BR)C$1,625/mo
Price per Sq FtC$273

Data source: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

C$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
C$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Edmonton:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityC$165
Heating & CoolingC$84Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterC$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)C$65Broadband average
Garbage / TrashC$35Private service
Total UtilitiesC$404Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Remote Work Score

Edmonton scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
97.4
Rent
C$1300
Sunny Days
234
Tax
10%
Unemployment
6.3%
Climate
76°F / 3°F
Safety
N/A
Population
1,010,899
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Edmonton has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January23°F3°F2.5"
April61°F18°F2.8"
July76°F51°F1.5"
October56°F21°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4a

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Edmonton faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Severe winter storms.

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Avalanche High Risk

Rockies and coastal mountains with frequent avalanches.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Tornado risk.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Wildfire risk.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Pacific coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10%
  • Sales Tax: 5%
  • Property Tax: ~1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.3%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Edmonton per 100,000 residents:

107.5
Violent Crime
99.4
Property Crime

Data is the Crime Severity Index (CSI) for the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). CSI is indexed to 100 (Canada = 100 in 2006). Higher values indicate more severe crime. This is not a direct crime rate per 100,000.

Data source: Statistics Canada

Schools & Education

63/100
School Quality Score
Better than 40% of Canadian cities
?
198
Total Schools
Top-Rated Schools 16

Data source: Fraser Institute — School Performance Rankings

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Edmonton, Canada?

The cost of living index in Edmonton is 97.4, which is Lower the Canada national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Edmonton?

The median home price in Edmonton is C$410,000. The housing index is 96.8.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Edmonton is approximately C$1300/mo.

Does Edmonton, AB have income tax?

Edmonton is in AB, which has an income tax rate of 10%.

What is the climate like in Edmonton?

Edmonton enjoys approximately 234 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 76°F, while winter lows can drop to around 3°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Canada, 2026
  • Housing Data: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.