The cost of living is a complex issue across Canada, with experiences varying significantly depending on location and individual circumstances. While Alberta has often been seen as an affordable province, recent experiences suggest that isn’t universally true, and some residents are finding Quebec offers more financial relief.
Sarah Lopes Rodrigues shared her experience of financial hardship after moving to Alberta. J’ai perdu énormément d’argent en étant en Alberta. J’ai eu des dettes qui étaient assez, assez fortes quand même
, she admitted. The family relocated from Vancouver to Calgary hoping to take advantage of more affordable property prices.
Despite the absence of a sales tax and a seemingly attractive housing market, Rodrigues found the overall cost of living unsustainable. Oui, sur votre ticket de caisse, vous allez gagner 4 $ ou 5 $, mais finalement, ce n’est pas du tout ça qui m’a fait faire des économies
, explained the mother of two.
A move to Quebec in the summer of 2024 proved to be a financial turning point for the family, despite the province’s reputation for higher taxes.
According to a measure of the cost of a basic consumer basket – a benchmark for defining poverty in Canada – Alberta ranks second most expensive, trailing only British Columbia. This means households in Alberta need to spend more than in other provinces to maintain a modest standard of living.
In contrast, Quebec had the lowest threshold in Canada. In 2024, a household needed to spend approximately $47,000 annually to live modestly in Quebec, compared to around $55,000 in both Ontario and Alberta, and $56,000 in British Columbia.
However, not everyone has found Alberta to be financially challenging. Benoît Bornais experienced an improvement in his financial situation after moving to Edmonton from Quebec in the summer of 2023.
These differing experiences highlight how affordability is subjective and depends on individual circumstances.
Janaína Nazzari Gomes as well found that a move didn’t necessarily equate to savings. She reported being surprised by the costs in Guelph, Ontario, even compared to Ottawa. Cela a été un peu un choc également parce que c’est une petite ville comparativement à Ottawa, mais les prix sont demeurés les mêmes pour les loyers, pour les courses, pour la garderie…
, she said.
Income levels also play a crucial role in determining affordability. According to Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist at Servus Credit Union, Souvent, les coûts sont plus élevés que la moyenne parce que la population générale peut payer plus cher
.
Currently, Albertans have a significantly higher disposable income than other Canadians, which helps offset higher daily costs. However, St-Arnaud notes this advantage is diminishing. On a des salaires qui sont presque égaux avec la Colombie-Britannique, mais aussi avec l’Ontario. Donc, il y a une perte de terrain assez importante.
The erosion of purchasing power isn’t limited to Alberta. St-Arnaud observes that disposable income across Canada hasn’t kept pace with pre-pandemic growth.
Le revenu disponible par personne est 2 % plus élevé en ce moment qu’il l’était en 2019. C’est quand même plus élevé, mais ce n’est pas énorme. S’il avait continué sa même tendance prépandémie, on serait environ 7 % plus élevé qu’en ce moment
, he stated.
identifying truly affordable places in Canada is becoming increasingly difficult.
