Living in Alberta
2017 is a great year to move to Alberta. The province has big city options like Edmonton and Calgary, and also great small towns with thriving economies. These are the best places to live in Alberta for 2017.
7. Camrose
Camrose is located in central Alberta and is home to some of the most beautiful farmland the prairies have to offer. Camrose is a very small town, one of the smallest on this list, but the city has more than enough for you to take part in, as well as over 35 secondary schools for your children to attend.
Population: 19,438
Average Price of a Home: $335,725
Median Household Income: $71,432
Unemployment Rate: 7.1%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 8,468
6. Lethbridge
Lethbridge is the fourth most populous city in Alberta, right behind Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer. The southern Alberta city is known for its climate, which consists of warm summers and mild winters due to its proximity to the Canadian Rockies. Lethbridge is home to the only university south of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge.
Population: 119,995
Average Price of a Home: $233,071
Median Household Income: $74,348
Unemployment Rate: 8.3%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4,706
5. Canmore
There is no doubt you will know when you’re in Canmore, Alberta. Just a look to the horizon will tell you you’re right next to Banff National Park. If the views of Canmore aren’t enough for you, the mild climate might do it for you, or the multiple festivals and annual events that place in Canmore.
Population: 14,244
Average Price of a Home: $917,939
Median Household Income: $76,675
Unemployment Rate: 8.3%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 7,246.27
4. Calgary
Calgary has the big city feel that most people are looking for, it is the largest city in Alberta and the third largest in Canada. Calgary is home to corporate offices of a large number of Canadian corporations.
Population: 1,465,539
Average Price of a Home: $514,779
Median Household Income: $87,294
Unemployment Rate: 7.9%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4,294.96
3. Edmonton
Edmonton is the second largest city in Alberta, but more importantly, it is the capital city of the province. The city of Edmonton is home to one of the largest malls in the world, West Edmonton Mall. “Canada’s Festival City,” earned its nickname by the large number of festivals that take place all year around.
Population: 961,016
Average Price of a Home: $420,186
Median Household Income: $82,889
Unemployment Rate: 7.2%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 7,915.37
2. Strathcona County
If you enjoy the idea of being in a small town but also like the feel of a big city every once in a while, Strathcona County might be the perfect fix for you and your family. With a population just over 100,000, you will have the small town feel that you want, but the big city of Edmonton is not far away.
Population: 108,764
Average Price of a Home: $467,686
Median Household Income: $133,530
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 3,735.33
St. Albert is located north of Edmonton, the small town that once used to be separated from Edmonton by miles of farmland now share a border since the expansion of Edmonton’s city limits.
Population: 72,133
Average Price of a Home: $423,526
Median Household Income: $135,999
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
Crime Rate per 100,000: 4,660.85
Sources: MoneySense.ca
