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.
Income data on this page is from the Canada Income Survey (CIS), released by Statistics Canada in May 2025, covering the 2023 reference year — the most recent income data available. The next CIS release, with 2024 data, is expected in spring 2026.
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 and Canada Income Survey, May 2025 release.
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