Various significant events, such as local wildfires, a global pandemic, and international conflicts, have impacted the pricing of goods and services in Alberta in recent years.
In collaboration with Statistics Canada, the Alberta government has conducted surveys to analyze price changes across numerous communities in the province compared to Edmonton, the provincial capital.
The data from Statistics Canada reveals that between 2018 and 2024, Alberta’s annual consumer price index, a measure of inflation, increased by approximately 20% for all items.
Reviewing the survey data released by the Alberta government, CBC News has crafted seven graphics illustrating the significant transformations during this period.
Majority of Communities Offer Lower Prices than Edmonton
The findings suggest that prices in most of the 37 communities included in the 2024 survey were generally lower than in Edmonton.
Residents in several communities, especially in rural areas of Alberta, are experiencing higher costs at grocery stores, restaurants, utilities, and other services.
However, the survey indicates that housing expenses were sufficiently low in many communities, resulting in overall prices being cheaper than in Edmonton.
Shelter costs, as defined in the survey reports, encompass expenses related to owned accommodations, rentals, and tenant insurance.
Rising Housing Costs
Despite lower shelter costs in some areas, housing has not become more affordable overall.
In numerous communities, housing expenses have either approached or exceeded Edmonton’s levels since 2018.
For instance, housing costs in Barrhead, Alta., which were the lowest in the 2018 survey, decreased by about 40% compared to Edmonton. By 2024, this difference narrowed, with Barrhead’s shelter costs being around 23% lower than Edmonton’s.
In the 2024 survey, Athabasca, Alta., had the lowest shelter costs, approximately 28% lower than Edmonton’s.
Conversely, Canmore, Alta., consistently exhibited the highest shelter costs in both surveys. By 2024, the town’s shelter expenses were nearly three times higher than those in Edmonton.
Canmore Tops the List for Expensive Living
According to the data, Canmore’s prices, excluding fresh produce and household supplies, surpass those in Edmonton across all categories.
The survey reports attribute Canmore’s significantly higher cost of living to its exorbitant shelter expenses, primarily driven by land and construction costs for new developments and the high demand for housing due to its popularity as a mountain town.
The report indicates that Canmore experienced the highest growth since 2018, with an overall price index increase of 26.4%. The spike was largely influenced by surging shelter and utility costs.
While prices for various goods and services, such as fresh produce, household services, and transportation, decreased compared to 2018, the gap between Edmonton and Canmore narrowed.
Similar trends were observed in communities like Jasper, Alta., which saw a significant price increase from 2018. The rise was primarily driven by escalating housing costs.
The report notes that data collection in Jasper was challenging due to a wildfire that destroyed a third of the town’s buildings, leading to some stores being closed or destroyed.
Calgary Versus Edmonton
In 2018, prices in Alberta’s two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton, were nearly equivalent. However, by 2024, Calgary’s prices had surged to about 15% higher than Edmonton’s, primarily due to shelter costs, restaurant prices, and utilities.
“Calgary’s soaring shelter costs are attributed to the increasing housing demand following the post-COVID pandemic population growth,” states the 2024 survey report.
Alberta experienced substantial population growth in recent years, with Calgary adding almost 218,000 residents from 2020 to 2024, as per provincial estimates.
Edmonton’s population also increased by over 140,000 individuals during the same period.
An analysis by CBC News revealed that Edmonton’s prices, particularly for most groceries, have risen
