A new MoneySense report analyzed the cost of living in 78 Canadian cities — factoring in housing, food, transportation, taxes, and other expenses — to estimate the annual income needed for a “comfortable” lifestyle. Across all the cities surveyed, the income required for comfort was higher than the basic cost of living.
However, smaller and mid-sized cities in Alberta stood out for affordability.
Medicine Hat ranked third overall among the cheapest Canadian cities, where a single person needs about $70,416 per year to live comfortably.
Lethbridge came in eighth, with an estimated cost of $73,608 per year. These cities highlight that you don’t have to live in Canada’s largest urban centers to enjoy a good quality of life. While neighboring British Columbia is home to many of the country’s most expensive cities, Alberta offers far more affordable living in its smaller urban hubs.
