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Alberta · Updated June 2026

Cost of living in Edmonton

One of the most affordable big-city rental markets in Canada. Alberta's lack of PST plus lower rents leaves more room for savings than almost any other major centre.

57/ 100
Cost of Living Score
Around average
Higher = more affordable
Typical monthly essentials
$2,011/mo
6% below the average city in our dataset

What it costs each month in Edmonton

Typical figures for a one-person household. Your own number depends on your housing, habits, and income — that’s what the Cost of Living Score assessment works out.

Rent
Average one-bedroom
$1,301/mo
Groceries
Single adult
$395/mo
Transit
Adult monthly pass
$100/mo
Utilities
Hydro, heat & internet
$215/mo
Total essentials
$2,011/mo

Rent is the CMHC average in-place one-bedroom rent (what current tenants pay), via Statistics Canada (2025-12). New-lease asking rents typically run higher.

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How Edmonton compares

Common questions about living in Edmonton

How much does it cost to live in Edmonton?

A typical single-person household in Edmonton spends about $2,011 per month on the essentials: $1,301 rent, $395 groceries, $100 transit, and $215 utilities.

What is the average rent in Edmonton?

The CMHC in-place average for a one-bedroom in Edmonton is about $1,301 per month — what current tenants pay, via Statistics Canada. New-lease asking rents typically run higher.

How much are utilities in Edmonton?

Hydro, heating, and internet for a one-bedroom in Edmonton run about $215 per month.

Is Edmonton an affordable place to live?

Edmonton scores 57/100 on our Cost of Living Score, where higher means more affordable — that's "Around average". Its typical monthly essentials run about 6% below the average Canadian city we track.

How this score is calculated

The Cost of Living Score adds up a city’s typical monthly essentials — rent, groceries, transit, and utilities — and compares that total to the average across the Canadian cities we track. A city at the average scores around 50; cheaper cities score higher, pricier ones lower. Higher always means more affordable.

Sources: Rent is the CMHC Rental Market Survey 1-bedroom average (2025, via Statistics Canada); groceries from Canada's Food Price Report 2025; transit is the Edmonton Transit adult monthly pass; utilities reflect Alberta's deregulated market plus CRTC internet pricing. Figures are typical city-level estimates for a one-person household, not a personal budget, and shift over time. Last updated June 2026.