6 charming small towns in Alberta that have a cheaper cost of living than Calgary
Goodbye city prices. 👋
High River in Alberta. Right: Stony Plain Alberta.
From small towns nestled at the base of majestic mountains to little communities right outside of the city offering a slower base of life — Alberta has some beautiful places to call home.
While Calgary's cost of living pales in comparison to some other major Canadian cities, you can still get more bang for your buck in other parts of the province. Alongside the lower costs in these little towns comes all the natural beauty you could hope for.
The Alberta Living Wage Network calculates the "hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community," for spots around the province.
As the biggest city in the province, it makes sense that the living wage in Calgary is a bit higher than in other spots, but as of 2024, you'll need to be making $24.45 an hour to afford basic life there. Still, it's not the highest in the province. Alberta Living Wage Network has Jasper as the community with the highest living wage on their list, sitting at $31.40.
Luckily there are some other options where you don't need to be making quite as much to cover your basic expenses. Here are six charming small towns in Alberta, where the living wage is lower than Calgary's.
High River
This spot is just outside of Calgary but has a $21.50 living wage, and it will make you feel like you're on a small-town movie set — because it is one. High River is used as the backdrop for CBC's iconic series Heartland, and if you're a fan of the show you'll recognize some of the spots (like Maggie's Diner).
The small town was even ranked one of the best places to live in Canada in 2023, thanks to its overall quality of life and affordability.
With beautiful nature at its doorstep, Calgary a 45-minute drive away, and small-town charm worthy of TV, this place is about as idyllic as it gets.
Stony Plain
This little town is just outside of Edmonton and the living wage is $21.30.
Set away from the bustling city streets this town has a homey atmosphere. Walking down the Main Street of town you'll see over 40 different art murals, adding some vibrancy to the community. You can pop in and out of local shops here, from bakeries to little cafes.
From the public art and kilometres of walking trails to the beautiful parks, this little town is pretty picture-perfect.
Rocky Mountain House
The name of this town alone hints at the spectacular scenery that it boasts. There's a vibrant community, local shops and restaurants in town, and the Rocky Mountains in your backyard. Main Street here is peppered with local businesses and there's a museum in town where you can step back in time.
There are also some big cities within driving distance of the town, so you're still close enough to get those amenities when you need them. Calgary is about two hours away from here but you get a lower living wage, at $23.75.
Lloydminster
Lloydminster is a small city that has small-town charm and is one of the most unique locations around. It's the only bi-provincial city in the country, straddling the Alberta and Saskatchewan border. While that's intriguing on its own, so is the affordability of this place, with a living wage of only $18.75.
It's also just an all-around beautiful city, with colourful murals, prairie sunsets, lots of trails, and serene lakes for skating in the winter and swimming in the summer months. Downtown is filled with shops, restaurants, and picturesque trees along the street.
Drayton Valley
About an hour from Edmonton Airport, this small town puts nature on full display. There are peaceful winding rivers, forests with towering trees, and clear nights with stars lighting up the sky — all asking for a weekend spent exploring. Within the serene landscape, the small community is supportive, with neighbourhood block parties, local businesses and community clubs.
You're money also goes further here because the living wage is $19.85.
Bonnyville
Tucked away in the Lakeland region of the province, Bonnyville is another escape into nature with an emphasis that will have you soaking up a slower-paced life. There's a charming downtown area here with local storefronts, but you don't have to go far to feel like you're immersed in the outdoors.
Jessie Lake is the spot to go in the summer to soak in the kind of fresh air you won't find in a city. For local hotspots, they've hot Jennie’s Diner & Bakery — a 1950s style spot — and Rocky Meadows Country-Getaway where you can stock up on frame fresh goods.
The living wage here is $23.60, so still beating out Calgary.
While city life has its perks, it tends to come at a cost. These quieter communities around the province are just some of the spots where your money can go further than Calgary.