Edmonton offers one of the best combinations of high income and affordable housing in Canada. As Alberta’s capital city and a major energy sector hub, Edmonton delivers above-average household income with home prices far below Toronto or Vancouver.
Average and median income in Edmonton
| Metric | Edmonton | Alberta | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Household Income | $155,800 | $161,900 | $146,600 |
| Median Household Income | $127,600 | $137,900 | $121,000 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (updated with CIS 2023 trends).
Edmonton’s household income is above the national average and close to the Alberta provincial figure, reflecting the city’s role as a government and energy services hub.
Income vs. housing affordability in Edmonton
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $127,600 |
| Average Home Price | $396,000 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 3.1× |
| Monthly Mortgage Payment (20% down, 5yr fixed) | ~$1,800 |
Edmonton’s 3.1× ratio is among the lowest of any major Canadian city — only Regina (2.8×) is lower. A household earning the median income can comfortably afford the average home.
How Edmonton compares to other major cities
| City | Average HHI | Median HHI | Avg Home Price | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | $168,400 | $140,200 | $567,000 | 4.0× |
| Edmonton | $155,800 | $127,600 | $396,000 | 3.1× |
| Toronto | $163,100 | $131,900 | $1,009,000 | 7.6× |
| Vancouver | $155,700 | $123,800 | $1,179,000 | 9.5× |
| Winnipeg | $130,200 | $109,800 | $365,000 | 3.3× |
Edmonton provides higher incomes than Winnipeg with a comparable affordability ratio. Use our mortgage affordability calculator to see what you can afford.
Key industries driving Edmonton income
- Oil and gas services — While Calgary is the corporate headquarters hub, Edmonton is the operations and services centre, with refining, pipeline operations, and field services employment
- Government — As Alberta’s capital, Edmonton has significant provincial government employment
- Education and research — University of Alberta is one of Canada’s largest research universities, and NAIT is a leading polytechnic
- Healthcare — Alberta Health Services is headquartered in Edmonton, and the city has major hospital networks
- Construction and trades — Strong demand for skilled trades supporting both the energy sector and residential growth
- Manufacturing — Petrochemical manufacturing and food processing industries
Edmonton’s tax advantage
Like all Alberta cities, Edmonton benefits from:
- No provincial sales tax — Only the federal 5% GST
- Low provincial income tax — Starting at 10%
- No health premium — Unlike Ontario
Rental affordability in Edmonton
Edmonton’s rental market is among the most affordable of any major Canadian city:
| Housing Type | Average Monthly Cost | % of Median HHI |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,200 | 11.3% |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $1,450 | 13.6% |
| 3-Bedroom House Rental | $1,800 | 16.9% |
| Average Home Mortgage (20% down) | ~$1,820 | 17.1% |
At just 17% of median household income, Edmonton’s average mortgage payment is dramatically lower than Toronto (42%), Vancouver (52%), or even Montreal (29%). Edmonton’s combination of above-average incomes and low home prices creates a uniquely comfortable housing affordability situation.
Take-home pay: Edmonton vs. other cities
Alberta’s tax advantage makes Edmonton take-home pay notably higher:
| Gross Salary | Edmonton (AB) | Toronto (ON) | Montreal (QC) | Vancouver (BC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,300 | $46,900 | $44,800 | $46,500 |
| $80,000 | $62,600 | $60,500 | $57,200 | $59,800 |
| $100,000 | $76,500 | $73,700 | $69,300 | $72,800 |
| $150,000 | $108,600 | $103,800 | $96,500 | $102,500 |
Estimates based on 2025 federal and provincial tax rates. Use our income tax calculator for your exact figure.
At $100,000, an Edmonton worker takes home $7,200 more than a Montreal worker. Combined with a mortgage that costs $3,600/month less, the total disposable income advantage is over $50,000/year — enough to fund significant investments or RRSP contributions.
Income by area within Edmonton
| Area | Approximate Median HHI | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Windermere/Ambleside | $160,000+ | Newer developments, young professional families |
| Riverbend/Terwillegar | $140,000–$160,000 | Established suburban, high-income |
| St. Albert (adjacent) | $135,000–$150,000 | Family-oriented suburb |
| West Edmonton | $110,000–$130,000 | Mixed residential |
| Sherwood Park (adjacent) | $130,000–$145,000 | Refinery corridor, strong trades income |
| Northeast Edmonton | $80,000–$100,000 | Recent immigrant communities, affordable housing |
| Downtown/Oliver | $65,000–$90,000 | Younger singles, condos, lower household size |
Estimates based on Census 2021 neighbourhood data.
The wide variation reflects Edmonton’s economic diversity — from high-earning oil services suburbs to affordable immigrant settlement areas that serve as important gateways for newcomers to Canadian high-income careers.
Income trends in Edmonton
- 2012–2014 — Peak oil boom drove Edmonton household incomes to record levels, with widespread overtime in trades and energy services
- 2015–2016 — Oil price collapse hit Edmonton hard, with layoffs concentrated in services, construction, and retail that supported the energy sector
- 2017–2019 — Slow recovery. Edmonton’s government employment base (as provincial capital) provided more stability than other Alberta cities
- 2020 — Double shock of pandemic and energy downturn. Edmonton’s unemployment briefly exceeded 13%.
- 2021–2025 — Strong recovery driven by energy price rebound, massive inter-provincial migration from Ontario and BC, and a diversifying economy. Edmonton’s population grew by over 120,000 between 2021 and 2025.
Edmonton’s affordability has been its strongest migration pull factor — Canadians leaving Toronto and Vancouver can often purchase a home outright with the equity from selling their previous property.
Estimate your Edmonton take-home pay with our income tax calculator or salary calculator.
Related tools and resources
- Edmonton Mortgage Rates — Find the best mortgage rates
- Edmonton Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
- Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford
- Income to Afford a Home Calculator — Income needed to buy