- Calgary and Ottawa lead for median individual income (~$55,000–$56,000)
- Toronto and Vancouver have high nominal incomes but the worst income-to-housing ratios in Canada
- Household income is high in Ottawa and Calgary (~$104,000–$105,000) due to dual-income couples and professional sector jobs
- Income-poor cities like Kelowna and Victoria reflect large retiree and hospitality worker populations
- Resources cities (Fort McMurray) and territorial capitals (Whitehorse) rank highest per capita but have high costs
- Median income is a better benchmark than average — a few high earners inflate mean figures in every major city
Incomes vary dramatically across Canadian cities — by as much as 30–40% between the highest and lowest-earning major metros. Understanding where your city ranks helps with career negotiations, relocation decisions, and putting housing affordability in context.
Average and median income by city in Canada
This table shows individual and household income estimates for major Canadian census metropolitan areas (CMAs) based on the latest available Statistics Canada data and labour market surveys:
| City / CMA | Median Individual Income | Average Individual Income | Median Household Income | Average Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa–Gatineau | $55,000 | $66,000 | $105,000 | $128,000 |
| Calgary | $56,000 | $68,000 | $104,000 | $128,000 |
| Edmonton | $52,000 | $62,000 | $98,000 | $118,000 |
| Greater Toronto Area | $50,000 | $62,000 | $92,000 | $115,000 |
| City of Toronto | $48,000 | $59,000 | $87,000 | $109,000 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Cambridge | $48,000 | $57,000 | $92,000 | $108,000 |
| Metro Vancouver | $47,000 | $57,000 | $83,000 | $103,000 |
| City of Vancouver | $45,000 | $55,000 | $80,000 | $99,000 |
| Saskatoon | $48,000 | $57,000 | $88,000 | $104,000 |
| Regina | $52,000 | $60,000 | $92,000 | $108,000 |
| Winnipeg | $44,000 | $53,000 | $80,000 | $96,000 |
| Hamilton | $44,000 | $53,000 | $82,000 | $99,000 |
| Halifax | $44,000 | $53,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 |
| Quebec City | $44,000 | $52,000 | $74,000 | $88,000 |
| Greater Montreal | $43,000 | $52,000 | $73,000 | $89,000 |
| London, Ontario | $42,000 | $50,000 | $78,000 | $93,000 |
| Victoria | $42,000 | $51,000 | $77,000 | $93,000 |
| Kelowna | $40,000 | $49,000 | $73,000 | $88,000 |
| St. John’s, NL | $48,000 | $57,000 | $86,000 | $102,000 |
| Moncton | $42,000 | $49,000 | $74,000 | $88,000 |
| Sudbury | $46,000 | $55,000 | $84,000 | $98,000 |
| Thunder Bay | $44,000 | $52,000 | $78,000 | $93,000 |
| Windsor | $41,000 | $49,000 | $76,000 | $90,000 |
| Oshawa / Durham Region | $49,000 | $58,000 | $94,000 | $112,000 |
| Abbotsford–Mission | $42,000 | $50,000 | $80,000 | $95,000 |
Note: These are estimates based on Statistics Canada Census of Population, Canadian Income Survey, and Labour Force Survey data. “Individual income” includes all income sources (employment, self-employment, government transfers, investment). “Household income” captures all members of the household combined.
Why Calgary and Ottawa lead on income
Calgary
Calgary’s high income is driven by its energy sector. Even outside of extraction roles, oil and gas companies employ large numbers of engineers, accountants, lawyers, HR professionals, and managers at above-average wages. The financial and corporate services sector supporting the energy industry pays well. Calgary also has no provincial income tax (Alberta has a 10% flat rate for most brackets, with no additional surtax), which means after-tax income is higher than in other high-wage cities.
Ottawa–Gatineau
Ottawa’s income leadership reflects the federal public service. Federal government jobs pay above private-sector wages in many occupational categories, especially for clerical, administrative, and mid-management roles. The pension benefits, job security, and above-inflation wage indexing of the federal public service translate into high and stable household incomes. The tech sector (Shopify, Ciena, Kinaxis, and dozens of federal contractors) further boosts professional incomes.
After-tax income by city
Pre-tax income doesn’t tell the full story. Provincial tax rates vary significantly:
| City | Province | Approx. After-Tax Income on $55,000 Salary | Net Tax Advantage vs. Ontario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | Alberta | ~$42,500 | +$2,200 |
| Edmonton | Alberta | ~$42,500 | +$2,200 |
| Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | ~$40,800 | +$500 |
| Ottawa (ON side) | Ontario | ~$40,300 | — |
| Toronto | Ontario | ~$40,300 | — |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | ~$39,200 | −$1,100 |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia | ~$38,900 | −$1,400 |
| Montreal | Quebec | ~$38,200 | −$2,100 |
| Vancouver | BC | ~$39,800 | −$500 |
Alberta’s tax advantage over Ontario is approximately $2,000–$2,500 per year on a $55,000 salary. This gap grows at higher incomes — Alberta has no surtax on incomes above a threshold that catches many Ontario earners.
Use the income tax calculator to model your specific after-tax income in any province.
Income relative to housing costs by city
Nominal income figures are only part of the picture. What matters financially is how much income is left after housing costs — the income-to-housing ratio.
| City | Median HH Income | Average Home Price | Price-to-Income Ratio | Monthly Mortgage (4%, 25yr, 20% down) | % of Gross Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary | $104,000 | $617,000 | 5.9× | $2,601 | 30% |
| Edmonton | $98,000 | $468,000 | 4.8× | $1,974 | 24% |
| Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) | $88,000 | $390,000 | 4.4× | $1,643 | 22% |
| Ottawa | $105,000 | $641,000 | 6.1× | $2,703 | 31% |
| Halifax | $80,000 | $570,000 | 7.1× | $2,403 | 36% |
| Winnipeg | $80,000 | $384,000 | 4.8× | $1,618 | 24% |
| Montreal | $73,000 | $551,000 | 7.5× | $2,323 | 38% |
| Toronto (GTA) | $92,000 | $1,022,000 | 11.1× | $4,308 | 56% |
| Vancouver (Metro) | $83,000 | $1,165,000 | 14.0× | $4,913 | 71% |
Toronto and Vancouver’s price-to-income ratios are among the worst in the world, not just in Canada. A household at the median income cannot afford the median home in either city without a large pre-existing down payment (inheritance, equity from a previous property, or family assistance).
Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Calgary represent the best income-to-housing value in Canada. Buyers earn well and homes are relatively affordable.
Income trends: which cities are growing?
Income growth over the last five years has varied by city:
| City | Estimated Income Growth (2021–2026) | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary | +18–22% | Energy sector recovery, tech growth |
| Edmonton | +15–18% | Energy sector, provincial growth |
| Halifax | +20–25% | Interprovincial migration, labour market tightening |
| Ottawa | +12–15% | Federal wage agreements, tech sector |
| Kitchener–Waterloo | +15–18% | Tech sector growth |
| Toronto | +10–13% | Broad professional services growth |
| Vancouver | +10–12% | Tech and professional services |
| Montreal | +10–13% | Gaming, AI sector, manufacturing rebound |
| Winnipeg | +8–11% | Moderate growth |
Halifax stands out for above-average income growth driven by a sharp increase in interprovincial migration (from Ontario and BC), which brought higher-income earners into the labour pool and created labour market tightening that pushed wages up across sectors.
Income by occupation in major cities
Wages for specific occupations also vary by geography. Selected examples:
| Occupation | Toronto | Calgary | Vancouver | Ottawa | Halifax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $95,000–$140,000 | $90,000–$130,000 | $95,000–$140,000 | $90,000–$130,000 | $75,000–$110,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,000–$98,000 | $82,000–$102,000 | $78,000–$98,000 | $76,000–$96,000 | $70,000–$88,000 |
| Accountant (CPA) | $72,000–$110,000 | $75,000–$115,000 | $70,000–$108,000 | $72,000–$112,000 | $60,000–$88,000 |
| Electrician (Red Seal) | $75,000–$95,000 | $85,000–$115,000 | $72,000–$95,000 | $70,000–$92,000 | $62,000–$80,000 |
| Teacher | $62,000–$102,000 | $62,000–$101,000 | $55,000–$95,000 | $62,000–$102,000 | $50,000–$82,000 |
| Project Manager | $85,000–$130,000 | $90,000–$135,000 | $85,000–$128,000 | $85,000–$130,000 | $72,000–$105,000 |
| Retail Sales | $35,000–$48,000 | $37,000–$50,000 | $36,000–$49,000 | $36,000–$48,000 | $33,000–$44,000 |
Calgary consistently pays a premium for skilled trades and professional roles driven by energy sector competition for talent.
How to use income data for salary negotiations
City income benchmarks are a useful starting point for salary negotiations, but they need context:
- Use occupation-specific data — City-level medians blend high and low earners across all jobs. Compare your specific role using Labour Force Survey occupational data or sector salary surveys.
- Adjust for company size — Large corporations typically pay 10–20% above small employers for the same role.
- Account for benefits and pension — A $90,000 salary with a defined-benefit pension and full benefits is worth more than a $100,000 salary with no pension and bare-minimum benefits.
- Compare after-tax — If you are considering a move to Alberta, calculate the net after-tax gain. An $80,000 Alberta salary after tax may exceed a $90,000 Quebec salary after Quebec’s higher provincial tax.
Use the salary calculator to convert between pay periods and see your after-tax take-home pay.