Howdy Doody. Ontario vs. Alberta – it’s a really skeptical situation, especially when someone wants to move to Canada for the first time ever. Some words are playing around like – job opportunities, expense, higher education opportunities, income tax rates, brackets, etc.
It occurs even when someone like you is planning to relocate from Ontario to Alberta or Alberta to Ontario.
As I am not a very rich business leader, I considered 2 primary factors that influenced my decision when I did research about Ontario and Alberta.
Guess what? Cost of living and the availability of jobs.
For you, it could be different. But, I will share all the necessary information from my deep research with you.
As prospective Ontario or Alberta residents, in most the cases people search for affordable and comfortable living options.
And obviously, is it cheaper to live in Alberta or Ontario? About other factors? Well, from natural beauty to cultural diversity… these two provinces have a lot to offer.
The following insights and noteworthy information may surprise you.
Just you need to stay with my findings…
[I shared the following cities for your further research]
List of 15 Major Cities in Ontario –
Population: 14.57 million (2019)
Website: https://www.ontario.ca/
List of 15 Major Cities in Alberta-
Population: 4.371 million (2019)
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/
The cost of living in Ontario is higher than Alberta.
Do you know why? Cause, Ontario has some of the highest housing costs in Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area.
On average Ontarians rent for a bachelor-style apartment in Toronto is $1,300 – $1400, while a 2-bed apartment costs $1,700 – $1900 per month. Pretty high, huh?
In contrast, the average monthly rent for a bachelor-style apartment in Calgary is $950 – $1,050 for a two-bedroom apartment and $1,000- $1,300 in Alberta.
Now, I want to dive directly into the numbers of expenses. In Ontario, London is the cheapest area among these 3 cities: Toronto, London & Ottawa.
Factor | Ontario | |||||
2-person family | 3-person (One child family) | |||||
London | Ottawa | Toronto | London | Ottawa | Toronto | |
Average Living Cost [Rent, Electricity, Transportation, Food Cost, Childcare, Phone & Internet] | $2700 – $3200 | $3000 – $3200 | $3100 – $3500 | $4000 – $4500 | $4300 – $5000 | $4800 – $5700 |
At this point, I remember that we already published another blog on affordable places to live in Ontario.
Click the link to read Most Affordable Places to Live in Ontario (If you are interested ☕)
In Alberta, Edmonton is the most affordable area among these 2 cities: Calgary & Edmonton –
Factor | Alberta | |||
2-person family | 3-person (One child family) | |||
Calgary | Edmonton | Calgary | Edmonton | |
Average Living Cost [Rent, Electricity, Transportation, Food Cost, Childcare, Phone & Internet] | $2700 – $3200 | $2600 – $3100 | $4300 – $4800 | $4000 – $4500 |
Note: I considered these factors while calculating the range of average living costs of different cities in Ontario and Alberta:
Rent: For a couple, rent would be $1200 – $1700 in Ontario. Meanwhile, rent would be $1200 – $1400 in Alberta. In addition, for 4 people (Couple with 2 children), rent would be $2700 – $3500 in Ontario. Meanwhile, rent would be $1700 – $2100 in Alberta.
So, for all the cases, the rent is lower in Alberta and higher in the Ontario region.
Transportation: Transportation costs in Alberta are also generally lower, with gas prices and insurance being lower than those in Ontario.
Food: Food costs are relatively similar in both provinces.
Childcare cost: Most of the cities in Ontario offer lower childcare costs than Calgary, Alberta. It costs around $1,225 per child in Toronto, $1,018 per child in Ottawa, $1,075 per child in London.
The cost of childcare in Alberta varies depending on the age group, with preschool care costing around $1,400 per child in Calgary, $925 per child in Edmonton.
In a nutshell, the cost of living in Alberta is lower than in Ontario, but it still varies depending on the specific city or region.
Salary range and the average salary for different professionals in Ontario
Pretty sure, you’ll be happy to know that there are some really in-demand careers right now.
Nurses and personal support workers are currently the most sought-after jobs, followed closely by physicians – both family doctors and specialists. In fact, by 2025, Ontario will need 50,000 more healthcare workers in total!
Read Ontario’s long-term care staffing plan
SL no. | Job title/Profession | Salary Range | Average Salary |
1 | Software Engineer | CA$59k – C$106k | CA$81,200 |
2 | Project Manager | CA$53k – C$108k | CA$77,360 |
3 | Human Resources (HR) Manager | CA$51k – C$94k | CA$72,150 |
4 | Operations Manager | CA$47k – C$104k | CA$71,160 |
5 | Software Developer | CA$51k – C$96k | CA$71,100 |
6 | Executive Assistant | CA$43k – C$74k | CA$57,900 |
7 | Administrative Assistant | CA$33k – C$55k | CA$42,470 |
[Data source: Payscale]
But that’s not all. If you’re more interested in mineral and metal processing, professionals, general farm workers, machine operators, tech skills, database analysts and web developers are also in high demand.
It’s always important to choose a career path you’re passionate about. So whether you’re considering a career change or starting out, it’s a good idea to consider these in-demand careers when looking for work in Ontario.
Salary range and the average salary for different professionals in Alberta
In Alberta, likewise, Ontario has in-demand jobs such as registered nurses and other healthcare professionals. Plus, transport truck drivers, tech roles, social workers, and legal administrative assistants are also in-demand for the job market.
SL no. | Job title/Profession | Salary Range | Average Salary |
1 | Software Developer | CA$50k – C$93k | CA$67,961 |
2 | Legal Assistant | CA$39k – C$70k | CA$49,360 |
3 | Project Manager | CA$60k – C$123k | CA$86,748 |
4 | Operations Manager | CA$52k – C$128k | CA$78,226 |
5 | Administrative Assistant | CA$37k – C$61k | CA$47,143 |
6 | Office Manager | CA$42k – C$77k | CA$58,066 |
7 | Executive Assistant | CA$44k – C$77k | CA$59,067 |
[Data source: Payscale]
Mechanical professionals and early childhood educators are also in the category of in-demand jobs in Alberta.
These are just a few of the most in-demand occupations in Alberta. With its diverse economy and abundant opportunities, you’re sure to find the career that’s right for you.
My words for you – Happy job hunting!
👉 If you are considering Calgary from Alberta and Toronto from Ontario, then our blog on Living in Calgary vs Toronto: Which one is better for you might help you.
In Canada, Alberta and Ontario are the most attractive provinces for newcomers. I’ve collected the income tax brackets & income tax rates for your future plan.
Have a look –
Alberta Province | Ontario Province | ||
On the first $131,220 of taxable income | 10% | On the first $46,226 of taxable income | 5.05% |
On the next $26,244 | 12% | On the next $46,228 | 9.15% |
On the next $52,488 | 13% | On the next $57,546 | 11.16% |
On the next $104,976 | 14% | On the next $70,000 | 12.16% |
On the amount over $314,928 | 15% | On the amount over $220,000 | 13.16% |
Why Are People Moving From Ontario To Alberta?
Mostly because of higher living costs in Ontario. Alberta is more affordable than Ontario.
What Is The Best Province To Live In: Ontario or Alberta?
Alberta. Cause, low living costs, relaxed lifestyle and more close to natural landscapes.
Is Toronto Or Calgary Better To Live?
Considering all the facilities and lifestyle most people prefer Calgary.
Is It Cheaper To Live In Calgary Or Ontario?
Yes
Is Living In Alberta Cheaper Than Ontario?
Yes
According to factual data, the cost of living in Ontario is generally higher than in Alberta. But I suggest you take note – the cost of living can vary based on the city or region within each province.
Toronto also has higher costs for food, transportation, and childcare compared to many other cities in Canada. In contrast, Alberta has more affordable housing options and lower costs for food and transportation.
If you are an ambitious young professional or student, my suggestion would be – Start your journey from Alberta. It will be easier for your Canadian life. Later, when you are capable of maintaining hustle, bustle, and expense… then you can move to Ontario.
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Goodbye, until next time!
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