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If you’re going to move, make sure you’re moving in the right direction.

For many individuals, their compass leads them to Alberta. The province’s more affordable housing options, promising job market, overall lower cost of living, and picturesque scenery have made it an incredibly popular choice for those looking for a new place to call home. 

Ready to take a closer look at the real cost of living in Alberta? Kinniburgh South—one of the premier communities in Chestermere, Alberta—is here to walk you through what you need to know before moving. Get ready to be inspired by the many reasons to move to Alberta! 

Table of Contents | The Real Cost of Living in Alberta: What You Need to Know Before Moving

    1. Living in Alberta: An Overview of Salaries and Expenses
    • Salaries & Jobs
    • Housing
    • Rentals
    • Groceries
    • Utilities
    • Transportation
    • Leisure & Entertainment
    • Taxes
    1. Living in Alberta Pros and Cons 
    • The Benefits of Moving to Alberta
    • Higher salaries
    • Strong job market
    • Affordable properties
    • A wide availability of brand-new, quick-possession, and move-in ready homes
    • The picturesque scenery
    • The Disadvantages of Living in Alberta
    • Long and harsh winters
    • It’s landlocked
    • A lack of road maintenance
    1. A Gem in Alberta: Chestermere New Communities

Living in Alberta: An Overview of Salaries and Expenses

Salaries & Jobs

Looking for convincing reasons to move to Alberta? The province’s strong job market and higher salary rates might just persuade you. 

In July 2024, Alberta’s full-time employment growth (+46,400) offset job losses in part-time employment (-47,000). That same month, job growth among people 15 to 54 years was recorded to be +10,600.

When it comes to salaries, statistics reveal that Alberta ranked first for weekly earnings among provinces at $1,326 in May 2024. Versus the same period in 2023, average weekly earnings in Canada were up 4.4% to $1,258. 

Housing

Another one of the best reasons to move to Alberta is the more affordable housing options. 

As of June 2024, the average home price in Alberta (single-family homes) was around $507,706—this is a much lower price compared to similar properties in areas like British Columbia and Ontario, where the average is $971,000 and $964,400, respectively. 

Beyond affordable prices, there’s also a wide availability of brand-new, quick-possession, and move-in-ready homes. 

Rentals 

Living in Alberta means you’ll enjoy lower rental rates. A one-bedroom apartment in city centres might range between $1,200 and $1,600, while outside city centres it could be around $900 to $1,300. 

These rates are much lower compared to British Columbia and Ontario, where the costs would be around $1500 to $2,000 and $2,000, respectively. 

Groceries

When living in Alberta, a household of two can expect to spend an average of $600 per month on essential grocery items

Utilities

As of 2024, the average cost of utilities when living in Alberta is $266.41. This includes electricity, water, gas, internet, cable, and home phones.

Transportation

In cities like Calgary or Edmonton, a monthly public transit pass for adults typically costs around $75 to $115.

Kinniburgh South

Leisure and Entertainment

From the prairies in the south and the Rocky Mountains in the west to the 245 rivers and over 600 freshwater lakes, Alberta doesn’t fall short in the department of natural beauty—making it an awe-inspiring haven for those who enjoy connecting with nature. That being said, connecting with nature will be one of your main outlets for leisure and entertainment—and doesn’t that make it one of the best reasons to move to Alberta?  

Looking for other forms of leisure and entertainment? Here’s an idea of what that might cost: 

ItemAverage Cost
Dinner for two at a restaurant CAD 81.4
Monthly gym membershipCAD 68.5 
1 Cinema Ticket costCAD 16.9

Taxes

Here’s another one of the benefits of living in Alberta: it’s the only province in Canada without a provincial sales tax (PST).

At the same time, Albertans pay low personal income taxes. Here’s an overview of what the rates are like:

Tax Rate2024 Tax Brackets
10%Up to $148,269
12%$148,269.01 to $177,922
13%$177,922.01 to $237,230
14%$237,230.01 to $355,845
15%$355,845.01 and up

Source: Alberta.ca

Living in Alberta Pros and Cons

The Benefits of Moving to Alberta

    • Higher salaries
    • Strong job market
    • Affordable properties
    • A wide availability of brand-new, quick-possession, and move-in-ready homes
    • The picturesque scenery

The Disadvantages of Living in Alberta 

    • Long and harsh winters, with winter temperatures setting in as early as mid-October and lingering until late April
    • It’s landlocked—surrounded by the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, there are no beaches, oceans, or open water on its map.
    • A lack of road maintenance—15% of Alberta’s provincial highway surfaces were reportedly in “poor” condition, which means that major repairs or replacements are needed.

A Gem in Alberta: Chestermere New Communities

Have all the benefits of moving to Alberta inspired you to start packing?

Let your compass lead you to the stunning gem of Alberta: the premier community of Kinniburgh, Chestermere.

Kinniburgh South

This semi-estate community is tucked away in the southeast corner of Chestermere and will feature over 350 homes upon completion. Quiet, family-friendly, and amenity-filled, it provides the serenity of small-town living amidst picturesque scenes. Immerse yourself in the beauty of lake-side living surrounded by the jaw-dropping Rocky Mountains. From swimming, fishing, and yachting in the summer to sledding and skating in the winter, there’s an abundance of exhilarating activities that make every day feel like an exciting getaway.  

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Chestermere provides easy access to dynamic, big-city amenities. You can also reach Calgary and major city routes in just a matter of minutes. 

The complete community of Kinniburgh South is ready to welcome you home. As our homes are crafted by the leading builders in Chestermere, they embody true architectural masterpieces that are both functional, top-quality, and visually stunning. 

There are plenty of reasons to move to Alberta—and Kinniburgh South’s premier community is definitely one of them. Explore our new homes in Chestermere, Alberta. 

Register today for first access to your dream home in Kinniburgh South’s final phase!

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