Cost of Living

Lethbridge residents enjoy a higher quality of life and a lower cost of living.

Low housing prices and affordable consumer goods and services all contribute to the cost advantages of Lethbridge. We consistently achieve high rankings in cost-of-living and quality-of-life studies. Consider these facts:

• By living in Alberta, you won’t be burdened by a provincial sales tax. This means paying at least 7% less for goods and services compared to other Canadian provinces and most U.S. states.
• Alberta’s tax advantage comes from a low single-rate tax system, coupled with the highest basic and spousal exemptions in Canada.
• Lower transportation costs are a result of short commute times (get to work in 10 to 15 minutes), complimented by reasonably priced parking. Plus, Alberta has the lowest gasoline tax among the provinces.

Percentages of Average Household Expenditures	Print  PDF  E-Mail  Add  Expand

Annual Average Property Tax & Utility Cost in Alberta	Print  PDF  E-Mail  Add  Data Chart  Expand

Cost of Living Comparative Analysis

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Family at $60,000 Gross Income

Federal Income Tax (Includes CPP & EI)	$8,846	$8,846	$8,846	$8,846	$8,846	$8,846
Provincial Income Tax	$2,605	$2,605	$2,605	$2,605	$2,605	$2,605
Health Premiums	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Gasoline Tax *	$172	$172	$172	$172	$172	$172
Total Federal & Provincial Taxes	$11,623	$11,623	$11,623	$11,623	$11,623	$11,623
Mortgage Costs **	$21,950	$33,111	$31,544	$27,497	$23,361	$21,831
Property Tax & Utility Charges (Average)	$4,410	$4,348	$4,728	$4,461	$6,196	$3,682
Consumer Goods ***	$11,508	$12,012	$12,000	$11,832	$12,132	$11,484
Parking ****	$672	$5,836	$4,200	$1,728	$1,250	$624
Total Household Charges	$38,540	$55,307	$52,472	$45,518	$42,939	$37,621
Net Disposable Income	$9,837	-$6,930	-$4,095	$2,859	$5,438	$10,756

Family at $80,000 Gross Income

Federal Income Tax (Includes CPP & EI)	$15,972	$15,972	$15,972	$15,972	$15,972	$15,972
Provincial Income Tax	$4,605	$4,605	$4,605	$4,605	$4,605	$4,605
Health Premiums	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0
Gasoline Tax *	$172	$172	$172	$172	$172	$172
Total Federal & Provincial Taxes	$20,749	$20,749	$20,749	$20,749	$20,749	$20,749
Mortgage Costs **	$21,950	$33,111	$31,544	$27,497	$23,361	$21,831
Property Tax & Utility Charges (Average)	$4,410	$4,348	$4,728	$4,461	$6,196	$3,682
Consumer Goods ***	$15,344	$16,016	$16,000	$15,776	$16,176	$15,312
Parking ****	$672	$5,836	$4,200	$1,728	$1,250	$624
Total Household Charges	$42,376	$59,311	$56,472	$49,462	$46,983	$41,449
Net Disposable Income	$16,875	-$60	$2,779	$9,789	$12,268	$17,802

Family at $100,000 Gross Income

All-Commodity Price Comparison	Print  PDF  E-Mail  Add  Data Chart

The "basket of goods" used in this survey is comprised of those goods and services perceived to be regularly purchased by Alberta consumers (based on the Survey of Household Spending) living in cities and medium/small sized towns. The survey items are judged to be commonly available in the selected communities to allow for price comparability.

For further details about individual items within this commodities price comparison, contact Heather McIntosh-Rivera at 403-331-0022 ext. 109 or heather@chooselethbridge.ca.

Interprovincial Tax & Health Care Premium Comparison - 2012

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Figure T.4

Interprovincial Tax & Health Care Premium Comparison - 2012

	AB	BC	SK	MB	ON	QC	NB	NS	PE	NL

Employment Income of $35,000 - One Income Family with Two Children

Employment Income of $75,000 - Two Income Family with Two Children

Employment Income of $100,000 - Two Income Family with Two Children

Employment Income of $200,000 - Two Income Family with Two Children