Edmonton is the capital of the province of Alberta and is on the Saskatchewan River, close to some of the most spectacular wilderness in Canada. It is a city which is proud of its safe, historic neighbourhoods and acres of parkland.
If you are considering moving to Edmonton, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in Canada’s Festival City.
Quick Edmonton Facts:
- Population: 981,280 (2018 estimate)
- Official Language: English (de facto) with many other languages being spoken, including French, Spanish, Punjabi, Bengali, Tagalog, Russian and many others.
- GDP Per Capita: C$63,601 (2022)
- Rats: For those people who have a phobia of rats, move to Edmonton or anywhere in Alberta for that matter, as the whole province is rat-free.
- Currency: Canadian Dollar ($, CAD). As of early 2023, $1 USD = C$1.36, €1 EUR = C$1.44, £1 = C$1.64, $1 AUD = C$0.91
Sections
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Edmonton
Below are sample international container shipping rates to Western Canada from various countries around the world.
2. Edmonton Housing Costs
Compared with other major cities in the world, house and flat prices in Edmonton are very affordable. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.
Monthly Rental Prices in Edmonton:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: C1,200+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,000+
- 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: C$2,000+
- 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,500+
Edmonton Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$2,900+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: C$2,400+
Edmonton Housing Cost Comparison:
This is how rents in Edmonton compare with other cities around the globe.
- London is 62.3% more expensive
- New York is 75% more expensive
- Los Angeles is 66.2% more expensive
- Toronto is 48.7% more expensive
- Sydney is 55.5% more expensive
- Paris is 42% more expensive
- Dubai is 49.3% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs:
- Share a Flat or House: Edmonton can be divided into South, Downtown, West and North It’s a city whose property market comprises mainly of houses but there are apartments available, especially Downtown. With a house/flat share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. Remember a shared flat or room usually means a shared bathroom as well. Have a look at the following sites to find a house or flat share which suits you – Room Rental, Craigslist and RoomLaLa.
- Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities, Edmonton has its desirable areas and less desirable areas and obviously, the rents and purchase price reflect this difference. The south part of the city is considered the best place to live. Areas such as Whitemud Road, Windermere Estates, Brookside and Ogilvie Ridge are all upmarket areas with a sizable price tag. However, if you can afford them, enjoy the luxurious houses on large plots, set in parkland with the occasional lake. Downtown Edmonton has enjoyed a revival over the last few years and is a good place to live if you like being in the centre of things. Strathcona is another area which is full of life, with pavement cafes and street markets.
3. Edmonton Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Edmonton has some excellent restaurants dotted around the various neighbourhoods of the city. It also has good local produce which the restaurants are able to incorporate into their menus.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: C$25.00
- Takeout Coffee: C$5.20
- Bottle of Coke: C$2.50
- 1L of Milk: C$2.50
- Loaf of Bread: C$3.20
- 12 Eggs: C$3.80
- 1kg Chicken: C$15.00
- 1kg Beef: C$18.00
- 1kg Apples: C$5.30
- 1kg White Rice: C$4.20
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- New York restaurants are 27.9% more expensive and groceries are 35.9% more expensive than Edmonton.
- Toronto restaurants are 5% more expensive and groceries are 3.8% cheaper than Edmonton.
- London restaurants are 6.3% more expensive and groceries are 19.8% cheaper than Edmonton.
- Los Angeles restaurants are 18.7% more expensive and groceries are 15.2% more expensive than Edmonton.
- Sydney restaurants are 7.8% more expensive and groceries are 15.8% more expensive than Edmonton.
- Paris restaurants are 4.8% cheaper and groceries are 11.9% more expensive than Edmonton.
- Dubai restaurants are 0.6% cheaper and groceries are 33.2% cheaper than Edmonton.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:
- Know Your Supermarkets: Edmonton has a number of independent food stores as well as the usual supermarket chains. It also has a good selection of grocers selling organic and fresh produce as well as farmers’ markets. Italian Centre Shop sells all things Italian. For fish lovers, there is Billingsgate Market which has an incredible selection of fresh and frozen fish. The Real Canadian Superstore is a chain offering Canadian customers a wide selection of foods at good prices. Another supermarket chain which offers good food and fair prices is Save on Foods.
- Find Cheap Eats: With a little bit of research, you will find restaurants which offer good but inexpensive food, either every day or at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Yelp and Huff Post.
4. Edmonton Alcohol Costs
Edmonton has an excellent selection of bars, clubs and restaurants. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: C$7.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: C$8.00
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: C$3.15
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: C$3.80
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: C$16.00
How To Drink For Less in Edmonton:
- Keep an eye on the local papers, billboards and websites for specials
- There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that offer cheap drinks at certain times of the day or week. Have a look at the following sites to see what’s on offer in Edmonton – Yelp, FourSquare and Edmonton Journal.
5. Edmonton Transportation Fares
Edmonton has a public transport system which consists of buses and the Edmonton Light Rail Transit (LRT). These are run by Edmonton Transit System. The bus system connects the whole city and the rail system is in the process of being extended to cover more of the city.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult single – C$3.50
- One-day pass – C$9.50
- Monthly season ticket for bus and train – C$100.00
How To Save Money on Public Transport:
- Buy an ETS pass for only C$9.50 and you and 4 children can ride around the city all day
- Buy a bike. There is good system of cycle lanes in Edmonton.
- Walk. If you live close to where you work, then enjoy the walk.
6. Cost of Internet in Edmonton
Internet in Canada is more expensive than in the UK but cheaper than in the US. Pay-as-you-go plans are generally much more expensive in Canada than in other countries and, service providers often charge you for incoming calls. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Bell: C$55.00 a month (Fiber broadband up to 10Mbps)
- Virgin: C$40.00 a month (Standard broadband up to 50Mbps)
- Primus: C$41.95 a month (Standard broadband up to 100Mbps)
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Edmonton has warm summers and very cold winters. July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 16°C. It is also the wettest month with an average rainfall of 90mm. The summer is full of long sunny days, with an average of 11 hours of sunshine a day in August. Winter’s coldest month is January, where the average temperature is -12°C. Note that there are days in the summer where the temperature will soar to 30°C and days in the winter when the temperature may drop to below -20°C.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: C$75.00
- Summer Dress: C$40.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): C$100.00
- Business Shoes: C$125.00
- Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): C$95.00
- Deodorant: C$4.50
- Shampoo: C$6.50
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): C$3.00
- Gym Membership: C$70.00 – C$99.00 per month
- Movie (cinema) Ticket: C$16.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Edmonton
Everyone in Canada drives on the right. Although traffic can be a little slow during rush hour, many people drive to and from work.
If you’re moving to Edmonton from within Canada, your Canadian license is valid for 90 days. After that time, you must apply for an Alberta driving licence. If you are moving to Edmonton from another country, then you may be able to exchange your license without taking a driving test. This depends on which country you are relocating from. If your country isn’t on the list then you will need to take a driving and theory test.
Another route is to get International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. IDPs are valid for 12 months and your license will be in English and French.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Edmonton:
- Volkswagen Golf: C$30,000+
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): C$1.58
- Vehicle Permit: C$32
- Other Fees: Go to other costs for details of other fees, many of which depend on the type of car you own
Source: Expatistan, CAA
Ways To Save Money on Driving in Edmonton:
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld or Rideshare.
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.
9. Taxes in Edmonton
No matter where you live in Canada, you will pay Federal Tax and then you will pay Provincial Tax which varies from province to province. To learn more about the different taxes go to the Canadian Revenue Agency.
Government Sales Tax is only 5% in Alberta, as the province does not charge PST or HST. GST is added to most goods and services throughout the country. It is not included in the marked price. Tax is added at the checkout and itemised at the bottom of your bill.
If you decide to buy a house or flat in Edmonton, you will be subject to Alberta Land Transfer Tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in.
10. Flight Costs from Edmonton
If you do make the move to Edmonton, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- New York: C$167
- Los Angeles: C$120
- London: C$550
- Vancouver: C$20
- Dubai: C$1,200
- Sydney: C$1,400
- Melbourne: C$1,500
- Cape Town: C$1,350
- Hong Kong: C$1,100
Other Tips on Moving to Edmonton:
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Edmonton but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Moving to Edmonton Alone
Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Edmonton.
- Meetups: Edmonton has lots of free meetup groups you can find at Meetup. Find groups for gardeners, entrepreneurs, winter sports enthusiasts and more.
- Attend Local Events: Edmonton has so much going on all year. Discover local events through sites such as Trip Advisor, Explore Edmonton and To Do Canada.
12. Moving to Edmonton with a Family
Edmonton has a lot to offer families, especially those who enjoy the great outdoors, festivals and winter sports.
Here’s some extra food for thought.
- New Parents (or parents-to-be): Have a look at the following site to see what groups are available for new parents or parents-to-be – Mommy Connections.
- Live in a Family-friendly Area: The southside of Edmonton is generally thought to be the most family-friendly. Areas such as Haddow, Henderson Estates and Ogilvie Ridge are much sought after, although they are expensive. Mill Woods is a southside area which is affordable and totally self-sufficient. Summerside is another neighbourhood popular with families, with its new houses and apartments and safe roads for cycling. West Edmonton, the home of West Edmonton Mall is another area for families. It has good schools and everything you need on the doorstep. Westmount is one of the older neighbourhoods and has properties very suitable for families. The Hamptons is a quiet area with good schools and parks, ready to welcome families.
- Find Things To Do With The Kids: Have a look at the following sites to see which activities would appeal to your kids – Raising Edmonton, Edmonton Kids, Family Days Out, Family Fun Canada and Todays Parent.
13. Moving to Edmonton for Work
Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Edmonton has a strong economy based on its oil and gas industry. The city used to be known in the 1940s as the ‘Oil Capital of Canada’. It also has a strong tech industry and is one of Canada’s top research cities. There are also many opportunities in the health and education sector.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: Salaries in Edmonton are high for Canada and that, coupled with a relatively low cost of living, makes it a very attractive city to live and work in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Edmonton, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster, Indeed, Job Bank and Wow Jobs. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Edmonton from Australia
There’s a large group of Australians living in Edmonton. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking of joining them.
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Edmonton with the size of a city in Australia, you are looking at a city a little smaller than Adelaide.
- Join Expat Groups: Both Internations and Meetup offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Toronto.
15. Moving to Edmonton from the United States
There are many Americans living in Edmonton. If you are thinking of joining them, here a few things to consider.
- Size: If you look at the population of Edmonton and compare it with a city in the States, the closest in size is San Jose, CA.
- Expat Groups: If you want to meet up with fellow Americans, have look at the following sites – Internations and Meetup.
16. Moving to Edmonton from the United Kingdom
If you’re considering joining the large number of Brits living and working in Edmonton, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: If you compare the population size of Edmonton with a city in the UK, you would be looking at Birmingham.
- Expat Groups: If you would like to meet other Brits living in Edmonton, have a look at the following sites – Internations, Newcomers Canada and Expat.com.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Edmonton you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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