Moving to Alberta? Cost of Living, Jobs and Lifestyle

This past fall I noticed the “Alberta is Calling” ads everywhere in Toronto—on subway walls, on social media and on billboards. One poster made me laugh out loud: “What does the Albertan say to the Torontonian? You’re hired.” The campaign expanded to target eastern provinces and other parts of Ontario. Did it work? I can’t prove causation, but several people I know moved west in the past year, and the ads certainly got me thinking.

I moved to the big city in 2021 to study journalism after living with my parents north of the Greater Toronto Area and working remotely in a corporate job. Even with savings and part-time income I struggled to cover rent, groceries and other necessities as inflation rose. Now I have a full-time job, but long-term homeownership in Toronto felt out of reach: at the end of 2022 the benchmark price for a home in Toronto was just over $1 million.

Statistics Canada estimates 29,422 people relocated from Ontario to Alberta in 2021–2022, a year-over-year increase of 132% and the largest interprovincial flow in the country for that period. About 28,238 British Columbians also moved to Alberta over the same period, a 105% increase and a 20-year record for B.C. With those numbers in mind, should you consider moving to Alberta? Below I summarize expert advice and firsthand experiences to help you weigh the pros and cons.

Nine things to consider before moving to Alberta

Housing costs in Alberta
Home prices in Alberta vs. the rest of Canada
Alberta’s cost of living
Income taxes in Alberta
What it’s like to live in Alberta
Weather in Alberta
The Alberta real estate market
Are moving expenses tax-deductible in Canada?
How to decide whether you should move to Alberta

Why move to Alberta?

For many people, the main draw is financial: lower housing costs, lower everyday expenses and a chance to stretch your income further. Mechanical engineer Emily Martin and her partner moved from Vaughan to Calgary in September 2022 for those reasons and for a more active lifestyle. They trade a smaller, costly condo in the GTA for a larger and more affordable unit in Calgary, and both report an improved quality of life.

Housing costs in Alberta

Martin’s monthly housing bill in Calgary (including utilities) is about $600 less than what she paid in the GTA—roughly $2,100 per month versus $2,700 previously—while the living space nearly doubled. She and her partner plan to buy a house within two years; in Calgary they are finding three- and four-bedroom options commonly priced between $400,000 and $600,000, compared with $1 million to $1.5 million for similar homes in Toronto.

Chiropractor and small-business owner Kendyl Muz moved with her family from Coquitlam, B.C., to Stony Plain, Alberta, in August 2022. They paid $600,000 for a detached home with three large bedrooms, a backyard and a three-car garage—about 800 square feet more livable space than their previous townhouse. For Muz, the ability to afford a larger home and reduce monthly housing costs was decisive.

How Alberta prices compare with other Canadian cities

Average home prices vary widely across Canada. As of April 2023, detached and condo prices in Calgary and Edmonton remained well below those in Toronto and Vancouver, offering a large affordability gap for buyers relocating from higher-cost markets. The table below shows a snapshot of typical prices by property type across selected markets.

Property type	Toronto	Hamilton	Calgary	Edmonton	Vancouver	Halifax
Detached	$1,787,752	$1,403,863	$661,900	$500,635	$1,915,800	$626,199
Semi-detached	$1,326,462	$1,024,342	$593,200	$378,797	$1,078,400	$437,892
Townhouse/row	$1,053,864	$967,229	$387,400	$261,390	$1,078,400	$536,570
Condo	$751,916	$666,987	$299,400	$192,560	$752,300	$484,491

Alberta’s cost of living compared to other regions

Beyond housing, Alberta’s tax and everyday cost profile can be attractive. The province does not charge a provincial sales tax and does not impose a land transfer tax on property sales, though there are registration and mortgage registration fees that are considerably lower than some other provinces’ transfer taxes. For many buyers, that adds up to significant upfront savings.

On everyday expenses, gas and insurance are often cheaper in Alberta. Recent data showed lower average fuel prices and lower average annual car insurance costs compared with Ontario and B.C. The provincial government also estimates monthly food costs per person that are below the national averages reported in recent years.

How much is income tax in Alberta?

Alberta’s personal income tax rates can be slightly higher than in some provinces like B.C. and Ontario depending on income levels, but average after-tax incomes in Alberta have been competitive. The difference in total tax paid tends to be moderate and should be evaluated alongside lower housing and living costs when assessing net benefits.

What’s it like to live in Alberta?

Alberta offers easy access to natural amenities—mountains, trails and outdoor activities are major draws. Residents often report a more active, less-stressed lifestyle compared with denser urban centres. That said, public transit outside the downtown cores of Calgary and Edmonton is more limited than in Toronto or Vancouver, so many households continue to rely on cars for daily travel.

A man on a hike in the mountains enjoys the active lifestyle in Alberta. — Photo by Ali Kazal from Unsplash.

Commuting times can be much shorter in many Alberta communities; one recent arrival notes a morning drive of only seven minutes versus the long traffic delays they experienced previously. That quality-of-life change is a major reason families cite for relocating.

What’s the weather like in Alberta?

Alberta winters can be harsh and very cold, with temperatures at times reaching extreme lows. Those conditions mean higher heating costs and winter-related planning for homes and transportation. If you prefer milder coastal climates, this is a key consideration.

The Alberta real estate market

Realtors report increasing demand from both Ontario and British Columbia. That influx has tightened inventory in some markets and raised competition, particularly in desirable neighbourhoods. Still, the market in Alberta generally sees fewer extreme bidding wars and fewer unconditional or “bully” offers than highly overheated markets elsewhere in Canada. Some buyers who face higher interest rates are choosing to rent while they wait for better buying conditions, which has put upward pressure on rental prices in certain areas.

Are moving expenses tax-deductible in Canada?

Moving across provinces can be costly. Consider travel, fuel or airfare, moving truck or professional movers, storage and whether you’ll sell and repurchase furniture. Long-distance moves can easily cost a few thousand dollars. In some cases moving expenses are deductible on your income tax return if the move is for work or to run a business and you meet eligibility rules. Eligible items commonly include transportation and storage costs, travel expenses and temporary living costs. Check official tax guidance when planning.

So, all things considered, should you move to Alberta?

Relocating to another province is a major decision. Do the homework: research communities, compare housing and living costs, test-drive the area by renting for a period if possible, and confirm employment or remote-work arrangements. Consider healthcare access, winter living costs and the potential expense of reversing the move if it doesn’t work out.

For many people, Alberta offers a tangible opportunity to reduce housing costs and improve lifestyle. For others, climate, transit and being farther from established networks are significant trade-offs. If you’re thinking of answering Alberta’s call, take time to weigh the financial advantages against the lifestyle changes.