Moving to Alberta?
Article last updated October 2022.
Over the last decade, Alberta has become a hotspot for many Canadians looking for a new province to call home. The province sports two major cities in Edmonton and Calgary, but also has many other growing cities and suburbs. The cost of living + economic opportunity has given the province an allure that Canadians cannot resist. Also, factors such as remote work have made some smaller cities throughout the province more suitable for growing families. With that in mind we decided to put together a list of the Best Cities to Live in Alberta.
1. St. Albert
The city of St. Albert is ranked one of the best places to live in all of Canada for good reason. It’s a medium-sized city, so you don’t need to deal with all the extra traffic and people. Although it’s not a big city, living in St. Albert, you will not be far from the big city of Edmonton. Think of it as having the best of both worlds, but you only have to appreciate the other world when you want to. The 70,000+ residents of St. Albert will tell you that they are there to stay as they know they are living in one of the best cities to live in Alberta.
Population: 69,789 (2021)
Average Price of Home: $404,723 (October 2022)
Unemployment rate: 6.6% (October 2022)
Crime Rate per 100,000: 5,5556.9
2. Calgary
If you like the big city with all the amenities offered, Calgary is a great choice for you and your family. The city of Calgary has over 1.4 million people and is the largest city the province of Alberta. As a resident in Calgary, you’ll have no problem finding activities to do with your free time. Annual events like the Calgary Stampede bring people from all over the world to the city to enjoy the rodeo, exhibition, and festival.
Population: 1,611,041 (2022)
Average Price of Home: $636,000 (October 2022)
Unemployment rate: 5.2% (October 2022)
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4,366.2
3. Strathcona County
Strathcona County is perfect for those who enjoy the fine balance of rural and urban living. For this reason, the area of Strathcona County is a specialized municipality as it does a fine job of supporting the needs of those living in the rural area of the city as well as those who live in the urban portion of the city. In a city where the crime rate and the unemployment rate is low, there is no doubt that it is one of the best places to live in Alberta and Canada.
Population: 106,864
Average Price of Home: $707,450 (October 2022)
Unemployment rate: 6.5% (October 2022)
Crime Rate per 100,000: 3,453.7
*Data from Point2
4. Canmore
If you’re about the outdoors lifestyle and enjoy picturesque scenery, Canmore is the place you and your family want to be living. The town of Canmore is located just west of the big city of Calgary but is also on the boundary of Banff National Park. Canada’s oldest national park offers a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains and some of the most gorgeous lakes in the world. It’s one of the fastest-growing small urban centres in Canada.
Population: 13,439
Average Price of Home: $965,540 (October 2022)
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (October 2022)
Crime Rate per 100,000: 7,285.7
5. Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is located in the southern region of Alberta and is the sixth largest city in the province. The city is known for its natural gas fields, gaining the nickname “The Gas City”. As you can probably assume, a large supporter of the economy is the natural gas fields. Medicine Hat is also host to Canada’s only interprovincial park, the Cypress Hills, which is located in Alberta and Saskatchewan. This why we like this city as one of the best cities to live in Alberta.
Population: 81,025
Average Price of Home: $328,000 (October 2022)
Unemployment rate: 5% (October 2022)
Crime Rate per 100,000: 6,578.3
Did we miss any cities? Let us know your favourite city to live in Alberta.
