Does it seem like all of your friends are packing up and moving to Alberta? In 2022 and 2023, Alberta led the country in interprovincial migration, with a net migration of 56,245 people, the equivalent of over 154 people moving to the province every day. On the other hand, people are leaving Ontario in droves, with 37,379 relocating to Alberta. Similarly, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the territories experienced negative net migration, with many of them ending up in the western province.
But why are so many Canadians answering Alberta’s call? They are likely drawn by housing affordability, a steady job market, and ample outdoor space. Disillusioned by the housing market, many Ontarians and British Columbians are leading the charge to resettle in Alberta. However, Alberta is also the number one destination for people from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the Northwest Terriories, to relocate. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering a similar move.
In this Article
Why are People Moving to Alberta?
The Alberta government has worked hard to position the province as an idyllic Canadian paradise – and they aren’t off base here. Alberta is a province rich in natural beauty, and its abundant energy resources have bolstered a strong (though not diverse) economy. The provincial government’s “Alberta is Calling” campaign distills Alberta’s value into three main benefits: affordability, lifestyle, and careers. Here’s a deep dive into why people are moving to Alberta
Alberta Offers Housing Affordability
Owning a home is one of the significant life milestones that most Canadians hope to achieve. Still, high home prices in many parts of the country mean homeownership isn’t affordable everywhere. Although prices in Canada have dropped slightly in recent months, they aren’t low by any stretch of the imagination.
The average home price in BC in April 2024 was $1,006,248. Ontario wasn’t far behind, with an average home price of $900,161.
On the other hand, Alberta’s average home price was $499,505, or around half that of the other two provinces. So, while homeownership may be challenging to obtain in Vancouver or Toronto, it’s well within reach in Calgary.
Also, Alberta does not charge land transfer tax when purchasing a home. However, you will have to pay a mortgage registration fee, which is calculated based on the property’s value. Compared to the land transfer tax in Toronto and Vancouver, you could save thousands of dollars in closing costs.
For example, based on a $500,000 home purchase with a $50,000 down payment and a 25-year amortization, here is what you can expect to pay in land transfer tax and title registration in major cities:
The takeaway: The average home price in Calgary is about half that of Toronto or Vancouver.
Enjoy Lower Cost of Living in Alberta
While housing affordability is one way to measure a province’s or city’s affordability, it doesn’t capture other vital factors, like taxes, childcare, or the cost of essential goods like groceries.
These extra costs can significantly impact Canadians’ daily lives, so it’s critical to measure them. To do this, we can look at the living wage in each province.
The living wage calculates the dollar amount per hour Canadians would need to earn to support themselves in a particular city. The living wage is based on a healthy family of four with two parents who work full time and pay for living costs like transportation, food, housing, and other expenses. According to livingwage.ca, here are the living wages in 2023 for Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary:
- Vancouver: $25.68
- Toronto: $25.05
- Calgary: $23.70
The takeaway: For transportation, food, housing, and other expenses, it costs less to live in Calgary than in Vancouver or Toronto
Alberta Offers Job Opportunities & Higher Annual Income
While access to affordable housing and a low cost of living is an integral part of evaluating whether a new city or town is the right choice for you, it’s unwise to make a move before considering – can I get a job in my new city or town? Researching employment opportunities is essential before moving, so we’ve gathered some basic information to compare the employment landscape in BC, Ontario, and Calgary.
When considering employment opportunities in a province, a good place to start is to evaluate the annual total income. This metric tells us whether the available jobs pay well or not.
Regarding how much Canadians earn, Alberta comes out on top compared to other provinces. In 2020, Alberta had the highest median annual total income in Canada, at $43,970. BC lagged at $40,660, and Ontario was just a little behind with $40,630.
Finally, unemployment is an often-referenced metric for evaluating a province’s employment opportunities. In this area, Alberta performs in line with other regions. The unemployment rate for Alberta in April 2024 was 7%, which is only 0.2% higher than in Ontario. BC’s was much lower, at 5%.
The takeaway: Alberta is home to some of the highest incomes in the country and has average unemployment.
Albertans Benefit From Low Sales Tax and Personal Income Tax
One of the reasons many Canadians move to Alberta is lower taxes. Personal income tax is low compared to the Atlantic provinces; however, you will see higher deductions on your paycheck than in Ontario and British Columbia.
For example, based on a $60,000 annual salary with no other deductions, here is how much you might expect to take home after taxes:
On the other hand, Alberta does not charge provincial sales tax, so only the federal 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to your purchases. Compare that to Ontario’s 13% HST and British Columbia’s 12%, and you’ll have more money in your pocket.
The takeaway: you may pay less in personal income tax in Alberta. However, Alberta charges only 5% GST on your purchases, which is lower than every other province.
Experience Easy Access to Green Space in Alberta
If beer commercials were accurate, Canadians would spend most of their leisure time on the slopes or at the lake. While we think those commercials depicting Canadian life are a bit stereotypical, they have one thing right: green space is important to most Canadians.
When it comes to outdoor space, Alberta holds its own. Of course, you can’t picture Alberta without imagining the rocky mountains, but what about national parks? Here’s how Alberta measures up.
Alberta holds its own when it comes to green space, with over 475 provincial and national parks, including the most visited national park in Canada: Banff. Ontario has slightly more dedicated green space, with 526 provincial and national parks, while BC, the land of beaches and mountains, blows the competition away with 1,040 provincial and national parks.
The takeaway: Alberta has fantastic access to green space, including the Rockies and Banff National Park, but it can’t compete with the majesty of BC.
What You Need to Know About Living in Alberta vs Ontario
Now that we’ve gone through all of the reasons Canadians are migrating to Alberta, let’s look at some of the differences in this province that some Canadians might not expect, especially those coming from densely populated areas like Ontario (and especially Toronto). Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for your move to Alberta from Ontario.
Density
A significant contrast between Ontario and Alberta is the difference in population density. Ontario is a densely populated province, especially around the Golden Horseshoe area. In 2021, the province was home to 15.9 persons per square kilometre. Alberta has a density of 6.7 persons per square kilometre, or 58% fewer people.
Additionally, 17% of Albertans live outside a city or town with a population of 5,000 or more. That number is just 10% of people in Ontario. What does this mean? There are fewer people, those people are more spread out, and a good portion lives in rural areas, where you’ll be less likely to encounter them. These factors contribute to a slower pace and different lifestyle that might surprise someone from another, more bustling province.
The takeaway: Less density means you might miss a bustling lifestyle.
Family Ties
For Canadians born and raised in Ontario, it can be challenging to pick up and leave behind your network of friends and family. Meeting new friends can be daunting, especially for new parents or remote workers who don’t have a built-in pool of colleagues. If you’re planning to move to Alberta without an existing support network, you’ll need to do the work to establish one.
That’s what drove Madi Wood, 28, to establish her lifestyle brand Alberta Called. Madi moved to Alberta from British Columbia and launched the brand to help people who self-identify as new Albertans to find others in the same boat. “When we moved back,” Madi says, “we were really in search of community – it was really tough to find. We didn’t have an office to go into, we had some friends from childhood, but we needed to find our people!”
The takeaway: You may need to recreate a support network, which will take time.
What You Need to Know About Living in Alberta vs British Columbia
Alberta might share a border with BC, but the two provinces are very different. Here are the most significant differences someone moving from BC (especially Vancouver) might notice.
Transportation
If you plan to move to Alberta, be prepared to rely on a car for transportation. While the major cities of Alberta have public transportation, they aren’t as widely used as those in major cities in BC. In 2023, about 14.5% of BC’s commuters used buses, ferries, trains, and trolleys to get around. In Alberta, only about 6.4% of commuters use public transit.
Don’t plan on getting around on foot as easily, either. Vancouver’s walk score is 80, making it Canada’s most walkable city. Vancouver is also becoming more bike-friendly, with bike lanes being added throughout the city. By contrast, Calgary’s walk score is 39. While some neighbourhoods are walkable and bikeable, Calgary is considered a car-dependent city as most errands require a car.
On the other hand, gas prices are cheaper in Alberta than in BC or Ontario. In June 2024, the average price in Calgary was 152.5 per litre, in Victoria, it was 185.2 per litre, and in Toronto, you could expect to pay 161.4 per litre.
The takeaway: Make sure there is room in your budget for a car payment.
Weather
You won’t find the classic BC grey, drizzly weather in Alberta. Instead, expect snowstorms and double-digit sub-zero temperatures for several months out of the year. In Calgary, expect average temperatures of -11C in January, and count on only five months of the year when snow isn’t likely. Vancouver, on the other hand, is snow-free for 10 months of the year.
Alberta is colder and snowier than British Columbia, but it is the sunniest province in Canada. This change in weather was immediately apparent to Ashley, who moved from BC to Alberta in search of better housing affordability and a desire to escape the grey skies of Vancouver. “We were sick of the rain,” Ashley says, “so Calgary being the sunniest city in Canada, looked like a great option.”
The takeaway: Be prepared for more snow, sun, and freezing temperatures.
Our Best Advice For Those Moving to Alberta
Moving to another province is a big decision, but with a bit of research and preparation, you can make a move seamlessly and be fully prepared for your life in Alberta.
Our best advice if you’re considering a move to the Prairie province is to research, research, research, and visit your candidate city several times before making a decision.
Moving To Alberta Checklist
Once you’ve decided to make an interprovincial move, here is a handy checklist of tasks to complete before and after you settle into your new home:
- Gather important documents – For example, government issued identication, proof of citizenship, work reference letters and school or university transcripts. Having these documents on hand will save you time when applying for various programs, employment opportunities or schools.
- Apply for a new driver’s licence or ID card – Within 90 days of becoming a resident of Alberta, you must exchange your driver’s license at a registry office. You can also obtain an ID card at a registry office.
- Apply for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) – Within three months of relocating to Alberta, you must apply for AHCIP health coverage. You can submit your application at a participating registry office or by mail.
- Change your license plate and update car insurance – You must change your vehicle registration within 90 days of living in Alberta. A vehicle purchased outside Alberta may be required to pass a vehicle inspection before registration. Update your car insurance by calling your current provider or shopping for a new company.
- Change your mailing address – Make sure to update your mailing address with your bank, insurance companies, service providers, and the Canada Revenue Agency. Consider setting up mail forwarding through Canada Post.
- Set up utilities and home services – To set up electricity and natural gas for your home, you must choose a provider and open a new account. You should call the utility company at least two weeks before you take possession of your home.
- Enroll children in school – You have multiple school options, including public schools, Catholic or Protestant schools, and Francophone schools.
FAQs
Is it a good idea to move to Alberta?
Alberta is home to stunning natural landscapes, the highest median wages in Canada, and affordable average home prices. Many Canadians are tempted to move to Alberta by the lower cost of living and outdoor space. That being said, the extreme winter weather and relative lack of public transportation may affect your decision. Before you decide to move, you should consider the financial and lifestyle implications of relocating.
Why are Canadians moving to Alberta?
There are multiple reasons why Canadians are choosing to relocate to Alberta. Homeownership is more attainable in Alberta than in British Columbia and Ontario. Additionally, rent prices are cheaper. Calgary has an average monthly rent of $1,733 for a one-bedroom apartment, while Vancouver and Toronto stand at $2,671 and $2,479 respectively.
Low sales tax, higher wages, and job openings in a myriad of sectors are all reasons Canadians might consider relocating to Alberta.
What is the incentive to move to Alberta?
For many Canadians, the incentive to relocate to Alberta is a financial choice. Alberta offers the highest median after-tax income in the country and abundant job openings, especially in the skilled trades, energy, healthcare and agriculture sectors. Additionally, average home prices in Calgary are 50% less than in Toronto or Vancouver.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Alberta?
Depending on where you live in Alberta, the living wage varies from $17.35 per hour in Medicine Hat to $38.80 in Canmore, according to Alberta Living Wage Network. Calgary’s living wage is $23.70 per hour, while Edmonton’s is slightly lower at $22.25 per hour.
A living wage is how much a worker needs to earn per hour after tax to cover basic expenses like food, clothing, and shelter and other expenses like childcare, education, and community participation. It assumes each adult works 35 hours per week.
