Cost of Living in Alberta: Updated Prices [2024]

Alberta, one of Canada’s most dynamic provinces, is a popular destination for students seeking quality education and a high standard of living. The cost of living in Alberta can vary according to a person’s standards and preferences. But what is the cost of living in Alberta?

If you plan to move to Alberta, you need to estimate the average cost of living in Alberta and ensure that you can afford to live comfortably in the city. This blog covers the different major categories of cost of living in Alberta, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision before moving. Let’s dive into the details.

What is the Cost of Living in Alberta?

The average cost of living in Alberta for a single person is approximately CAD 2592 per month, according to LivingCost Data. If we break it down, the rent for a one-room apartment ranges from CAD 1131 to CAD 1357 per month. Food expenses are about CAD 754 per month, and transportation costs are around CAD 203 per month. The overall cost of living in Alberta per month can vary based on lifestyle choices, the specific area, and other personal factors.

The average monthly cost of living in Alberta is approximately 1.03 times more expensive than Canada’s living expenses. Housing costs, food costs, utility costs, transportation costs and other costs play a significant role in determining the total cost of living in Alberta. We have provided a detailed overview of the costs of living in Alberta below:

Category	Monthly Cost for one person
Averga Cost of living in Alberta	CAD 2592
Cost of Rent and Utilities	CAD 1462
Cost of Food at Inexpensive Restaurant	CAD 754
Cost of Transport	CAD 203
Total Grocery cost	CAD 165 (week)

To gain a deeper understanding of the cost of living in Alberta, we have given an overview of the average expenses in various categories in the few headings below.

Cost of Grocery in Alberta

The cost of groceries in Alberta is comparable to those in other significant Canadian cities. For a single person, the typical monthly grocery budget is roughly CAD 165. As a daily expense, grocery costs can impact your cost of living in Alberta. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Alberta:

Grocery Items	Average Cost
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt	CAD 2.47
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb	CAD 3.17
Rice, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 4.21
Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 17.1
Apples, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 5.72
Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 1.87
Oranges, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 5.26
Tomato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 5.59
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 3.16
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb	CAD 3
Water, 1 L or 1 qt	CAD 1.57
Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items	CAD 124.14

Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense

Cost of Housing Rent in Alberta

One of the major expenses of the cost of living in Alberta is the housing rent. From CAD 1131 to CAD 1357 is the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Alberta. You can locate apartments for a little bit less if you’re willing to live outside of the city centre.

Before relocating to Alberta, it’s crucial for students to conduct thorough research and compare apartment rents across various neighbourhoods to find options that align with their needs and budget. To help you better understand housing expenses, we have compiled average cost data for various flats both inside and outside the city centre

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	CAD 1357
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	CAD 2253
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	CAD 1131
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	CAD 1913

Cost of Utilities in Alberta

The monthly basic utility cost in Alberta for a single person is Approx. CAD 194, which is relatively low compared to the cost of living in Alberta. The utility cost can fluctuate based on the specific utilities required and the apartment’s size. For your reference, we have given the Cost of Utilities in Alberta for immigrant students in the country:

Utility Type	Approx. Monthly Cost
Utility Bill one person, heating, electricity, water, etc.	CAD 194
Unlimited Internet plan, 50 Mbps+ 1 for a month	CAD 85.6

Cost of Clothing in Alberta

Basic apparel products like pants and t-shirts are often affordable in Alberta, but designer or premium brands might cost more and can affect the cost of living in Alberta. The average costs of clothes in Alberta are as follows:

Clothes Items	Average Cost
Brand Jeans	CAD 76.5
Brand Sneakers	CAD 76.5

Cost of Personal Care in Alberta

The cost of personal care in Alberta does not affect your cost of living that much because it has the lowest price. A few personal care items, including Cold medicine, one week, hair shampoo, toothpaste, one tube, doctor’s visit and haircut, are given below in the table:

Items	Average Cost
Cold medicine for 1 week	CAD 12.7
Hair Shampoo	CAD 7.18
Toothpaste	CAD 3.04
Haircut	CAD 25.6
Doctor’s visit	CAD 86.3
Toilet paper (4 rolls)	CAD 4.29

Cost of Entertainment in Alberta

The cost of entertainment in Alberta is dependent on the person to person. Alberta also has an affordable entertainment scene. Around CAD 180 monthly is spent dining out, drinking in pubs, watching films and other entertainment.

You can add an extra amount because the costs of entertainment are not included in the cost of living in Alberta. Here, we have given various costs of entertainment in Alberta:

Items	Average Cost
Gym Membership for a month	CAD 68.5
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	CAD 13.2
1 Cinema Ticket cost	CAD 16.9
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person	CAD 81.4

Cost of Transportation in Alberta

The cost of transportation in Alberta is also fairly reasonable. On average, public transport costs around CAD 203 per month, and the good thing is that it comes under the overall cost of living in Alberta. The mode of transportation in Alberta is trains, buses, and cabs. Moreover, Owning a car, however, can result in greater petrol and insurance costs.

Understanding transportation expenses is crucial for effective financial planning, as these costs can significantly impact your monthly cost of living in Alberta. To assist you in estimating your transportation expenses, we’ve provided a detailed table below outlining average costs for different transportation options in Alberta.

Transportation	Approx Cost
Monthly Pass for Regular fair	CAD 102
One-way Ticket in Local Transport	CAD 3.47
Taxi Tariff for 8 km or 5 mi	CAD 23.8
Gasoline (1 litre)	CAD 1.51

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense

Cost of Tuition Fee In Alberta

The cost of tuition fees in Alberta’s universities depends upon the course type and university you select. Along with the average cost of living in Alberta, the essential thing for you is the average tuition fees. When considering about education in Alberta, prospective students should evaluate their educational goals alongside their financial resources.

We have provided an overview of the average tuition fees at universities in Alberta. It will help you in making informed decisions for your academic journey. Here is an overview of the average tuition fees at universities and colleges in Alberta:

University Name	Location	Tuition Fees (1st Year)
University of Alberta	Edmonton	CAD 7,600 – CAD 96,410
University of Calgary	Calgary	CAD 1,710 – CAD 58,170
Brescia University College	Calgary	CAD 24,620 – CAD 27,330
University of Lethbridge	Lethbridge	CAD 12,120 – CAD 24,130
NorQuest College	Edmonton	CAD 17,530 – CAD 21,510
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology	Edmonton	CAD 20,180 – CAD 25,950
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology	Calgary	CAD 15,160 – CAD 22,640
Cypress College	Medicine Hat	CAD 11,540
Portage College	Edmonton	CAD 13,430 – CAD 17,120
Bow Valley College	Calgary	CAD 4,950 – CAD 33,190
MacEwan University	Edmonton	CAD 16,180 – CAD 25,020
Mount Royal University	Calgary	CAD 11,540 – CAD 24,880
Bay River College	Calgary	CAD 13,490 – CAD 28,960
Lethbridge College	Lethbridge	CAD 14,190 – CAD 17,260
Lakeland College	Vermilion	CAD 6,420 – CAD 24,760
The Kings University College	Edmonton	CAD 13,070 – CAD 14,430
Red Deer College	Red Deer	CAD 16,640 – CAD 36,170
Huron University College	Calgary	CAD 24,620 – CAD 27,460
Campbell College	Edmonton	CAD 14,320
Medicine Hat College	Medicine Hat	CAD 12,860 – CAD 16,710
St Mary’s University	Calgary	CAD 23,740 – CAD 36,160
Northwestern Polytechnic	Grande Prairie	CAD 15,680 – CAD 62,730
ABM College	Calgary	CAD 13,950 – CAD 28,970

Cost of Living in Alberta Compared to Other Cities

Alberta is renowned for its affordability, especially when compared to many other Canadian cities. For students, understanding the cost of living in Alberta and nearby urban centres is crucial for making informed decisions about where to live based on their budget. Even though Alberta offers a lower cost of living, it remains an attractive option for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

The city combines affordability with a high quality of life, making it an appealing choice for many. To give you a clearer perspective, we’ve compared the cost of living in Alberta with several other cities, including Ontario, Calgary, Stratford, and Toronto. This comparison will help you estimate how Alberta stacks up against other locations and assist you in finding the best fit for your financial situation.

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living (including rent)	Comparison with Cost of Living in Alberta
Cost of Living in Ontario	CAD 3072	Higher than Alberta
Cost of living in Quebec	CAD 2356	Lower than Alberta
Cost of living in British Columbia	CAD 3096	Higher than Alberta
Cost of living in Newfoundland	CAD 2385	Lower than Alberta
Cost of living in Manitoba	CAD 2306	Lower than Alberta
Cost of living in Saskatchewan	CAD 2306	Lower than Alberta
Cost of living in New Brunswick	CAD 2111	Lower than Alberta
Cost of Living in Calgary	CAD 2879	Higher than Alberta
Cost of Living in Edmonton	CAD 2360	Lower than Alberta
Cost of Living in Toronto	CAD 3510	Higher than Alberta
Cost of Living in Canada	CAD 2782	Higher than Alberta

Things to Consider When Moving to Alberta

Before finalising the cost of living in Alberta’s budget, a student should consider a few other essential things while moving to Alberta for higher education. Here are some of the following that you should consider while travelling in Alberta

• Friendly Environment In Alberta: Alberta, Canada is known for its multicultural, respectful and diverse culture. It is a great place to live. Its range of places to live includes small, rural towns and major cities such as Edmonton and Calgary. Each has its unique character, and there are opportunities for work across the province.
• Climate In Alberta: You should get ready for the winters here in Alberta. In the dead of winter, the city’s temperature frequently drops around -15 degrees Celsius, and in summer, it normally lies around 25 degrees Celsius. Moreover, it has more than 300 sunny days a year.
• Jobs in Alberta: When you start looking for a job in Alberta, it is important to look for job postings on the Internet. Alberta has a high demand in various sectors, such as nurses, accounting and related clerks, truck drivers, managers and supervisors for sales, and experienced mechanics.
• Pay Scale In Alberta: More than just competitive pay is provided by the City of Alberta. Full benefit plans, pension plans, flexible work schedules, and challenging work are all available to city employees which makes you enjoy living leisurely in Alberta.

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FAQs on Cost of Living in Alberta

This was all about the cost of living in Alberta, if you are also looking to study in Alberta and want to be admitted in your dream course from your dream university, reach out to Leverage edu our experts will help and guide you with a smooth process