Is Edmonton Better to Live In Than Vancouver? The Verdict [2025]

Wondering whether Edmonton or Vancouver is the better city to call home? While my heart leans toward Edmonton, let’s set aside any hometown bias and explore the answer. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

If you’re chasing career growth or thrive in a faster-paced environment, Vancouver might suit you better. On the other hand, Edmonton stands out for its laid-back vibe and affordability, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle.

Curious about how they stack up? Let’s dive into a comparison of key factors like cost of living, diversity, safety, and more to help you decide!

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Cost of Living in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

The cost of living in Edmonton (cost of living edmonton) is significantly lower than in Vancouver. The average monthly living cost in Edmonton is $1,785, while in Vancouver, it’s $2,650.

This means that Edmonton’s cost of living is 33% cheaper than Vancouver’s. The difference is particularly noticeable in housing, transportation, and essential living expenses.

Curious about how we arrived at this? Take a look at the table below, sourced from LivingCost.org, for a detailed breakdown of the expenses associated with living in Edmonton and Vancouver.

Expenses	Edmonton Cost	Vancouver Cost
Housing (Average Rent per Month)
1-bedroom apartment (downtown)	$929	$1,905
1-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$726	$1,486
3-bedroom apartment (downtown)	$1,576	$3,353
3-bedroom apartment (outside the city center)	$1,272	$2,487
Utilities (Average Monthly Bill)
Utility bill for one person	$132	$69.6
Utility bill for a family	$200	$106
Internet plan	$56.7	$57.1
Transportation (Fare)
1-way ticket (local transport ticket)	$2.59	$2.36
Monthly pass (local transport ticket)	$75	$100
Taxi start (normal tariff)	$20.1	$15.6
Gasoline (1 liter)	$1.06	$1.41
Childcare (Tuition Fee)
Private preschool/kindergarten (full day)	$745 per month	$1,165 per month
International primary school	$8,270 per year	$16,245 per year

Living in Edmonton is much cheaper than in Vancouver, especially when it comes to rent. A one-bedroom apartment in downtown Vancouver costs more than twice as much as in Edmonton.

Since Vancouver is one of Canada’s most expensive cities, high living costs are expected, but even utilities and childcare fees are noticeably steeper. For example, international primary school tuition in Vancouver is almost twice that of Edmonton.

Because of this, many people choose Edmonton for its affordability, especially families and retirees. Vancouver, however, remains attractive because of its job opportunities, lifestyle, and mild weather.

Real Estate Prices in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

When it comes to housing costs, Edmonton is far more affordable than Vancouver.

According to WOWA.ca, the average price of a single-family home in Vancouver is 292.8% more expensive than in Edmonton. Meanwhile, the average condo price in Vancouver is 296.6% higher than in Edmonton.

This price gap makes Edmonton a great choice for affordable housing without giving up city living. Whether it’s a house or a condo, Edmonton offers better value than Vancouver.

Here’s a snapshot of the numbers:

Property Type	Edmonton	Ottawa
Detached Home	$540,232	$2,120,000
Condo Apartment	$203,920	$809,000

While Vancouver offers stunning views and great weather, its housing prices can be a major barrier. Edmonton’s more affordable market makes it an ideal option for anyone looking to own a home without paying an arm and a leg.

Diversity and Demographics in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

Edmonton and Vancouver are both large cities in Canada known for their cultural diversity. However, Edmonton has a larger proportion of minorities in its population compared to Vancouver.

In Edmonton, visible minorities make up 40.3% of the population, while in Vancouver, they account for 54%.

Despite Vancouver having a higher percentage of visible minorities overall, Edmonton has a more varied racial composition, with significant communities of South Asian, Filipino, and Black populations.

It’s important to point out that Vancouver is smaller in land area compared to Edmonton. However, Edmonton has a larger population.

As a result, while Edmonton has more residents, Vancouver’s population density is much higher.

	Edmonton	Ottawa
Geographic Location	Alberta	British Columbia
Size (Area)	685.25 square kilometres	115 square kilometres
Population	1,060,667	681,420
Female Population	50.2%	50.6%
Male Population	49.8%	49.4%
Median Age	37 years old	39 years old
Life Expectancy at Birth	82 years old	85 years old

While the age distribution is relatively similar between the two cities, the differences in racial composition stand out more clearly.

Here’s a breakdown of the racial compositions of each city:

Racial Composition	Edmonton	Racial Composition	Vancouver
White	64.70%	White	46.20%
South Asian	7.20%	South Asian	6%
Chinese	6.20%	Chinese	27.70%
Filipino	4.60%	Filipino	6%
Black	3.80%	Black	1%
Southeast Asian	1.90%	Southeast Asian	3%
Latin American	1.70%	Latin American	1.60%
Arab	1.70%	Arab	0.50%
West Asian	0.80%	West Asian	1.20%
Korean	0.60%	Korean	1.50%
Japanese	0.30%	Japanese	1.70%
Other Visible Minorities	0.30%	Other Visible Minorities	N/A
Multiple Visible Minorities	0.80%	Multiple Visible Minorities	N/A
Aboriginal	5.30%	Aboriginal	2%

Career Opportunities in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

According to CREA Statistics, Vancouver has a stronger job market than Edmonton. As of December 2024, Vancouver’s unemployment rate is 6.3%, while Edmonton’s is higher at 7.4%.

ZipRecruiter.com reports that the average annual salary in Vancouver is between $70,000 and $75,000, while in Edmonton, it ranges from $51,965 to $73,913.

Even though salaries are higher in Vancouver, the cost of living is also much higher. Edmonton, on the other hand, has lower living costs, meaning you may end up with more money left over, even though the job market is a bit tougher there.

Crime and Safety in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

In 2023, Edmonton had a higher Crime Severity Index (CSI) than Vancouver, meaning crime in Edmonton is considered more serious overall. Edmonton’s CSI was 113.3, while Vancouver’s was 97.0.

The CSI measures how serious and frequent crimes are in a community, giving us a better understanding of how crime affects people’s lives.

From 2017 to 2021, Edmonton consistently had more reported crimes and more people charged than Vancouver. However, both cities have seen a decrease in crime over the years, which suggests things are getting better.

Property crime levels are similar, but more Vancouver residents report being affected. Hate crimes are more common in Vancouver, but Edmonton has seen a bigger increase over time and also has more cases of domestic violence.

Below is a breakdown of key crime-related statistics from Statcan for Edmonton and Vancouver, which further illustrates these trends:

	Edmonton	Vancouver
Overall Crime Rate (2018)	8,779	6,750
Crime Rate Change (2008–2018)	-3%	-22%
Severity of Crime Change (2008–2018)	-6%	-30%
Property Crime Rate (2018)	5,238	4,612
Self-reported Property Crime (2014)	187	191
Violent Crime Rate (2018)	1,189	972
Violent Crime Rate Change (2008–2018)	-12%	-33%
Severity of Violent Crime Change (2008–2018)	-18%	-46%
Hate Crime Rate (2018)	4.8	7.1
Hate Crime Rate Change (2014–2018)	0.79	0.5
Intimate Partner Violence (2018)	288	195
Homicide Rate (2018)	2.6	1.66
Total Homicides (2018)	37	44

Lifestyle in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

Edmonton is ideal if you enjoy sunny summers and lower living costs but can handle cold winters. If you prefer milder weather and outdoor activities and don’t mind higher costs, Vancouver is the better choice.

Let’s explore each city in more detail, comparing the weather, recreational activities, and healthcare to see which one matches your lifestyle better.

Weather in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

Vancouver has milder temperatures, ranging from 72°F to 43°F, compared to Edmonton’s 74°F to 8°F. Vancouver’s weather is more consistent, with fewer extreme temperature shifts than Edmonton’s.

Edmonton experiences longer, brighter summers with more sunshine, ideal for those who enjoy clear skies. However, its winters are much colder and snowier than Vancouver’s, often limiting outdoor activities for months.

Rainfall is a significant factor in Vancouver, as it sees more rainy days, particularly in the fall and winter. Edmonton, on the other hand, has less annual precipitation but experiences more snow, with a longer snowy season than Vancouver.

Things to Do in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

Vancouver and Edmonton both offer a distinct experience based on your interests.

Edmonton has a variety of indoor things to do, including large venues like the Royal Alberta Museum and historic sites like Fort Edmonton Park. The city also hosts a range of annual festivals, making it a hub for indoor entertainment and culture.

In contrast, Vancouver excels with outdoor activities, offering Stanley Park, Granville Island, and beautiful hiking trails. The city also features cultural landmarks like Gastown and the Museum of Anthropology.

Healthcare in Edmonton vs. Vancouver

People in both Edmonton and Vancouver generally see their healthcare systems as good. According to survey responses on Numbeo, Edmonton’s healthcare index is 77.20, while Vancouver’s is 71.77.

Here’s how people in each city feel about different aspects of their healthcare system:

Factor	Edmonton	Vancouver
Skill and competency of medical staff	83.52	73.14
Speed in completing examinations and reports	66.62	59.61
Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment	84.81	78.7
Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports	80.17	74.33
Friendliness and courtesy of the staff	81.25	74.63
Responsiveness (wait times) in medical institutions	45.99	44.33
Satisfaction with cost to you	85.89	80.9
Convenience of location for you	80.65	79.42

More people in Edmonton seem happy about their healthcare compared to Vancouver, especially when it comes to staff skills, equipment, and accuracy of records. However, both cities struggle with long wait times, which is a common complaint across Canada.

Another key difference is that Vancouver is known for specialized care, especially in cancer treatment and rehabilitation, while Edmonton is seen as better for routine healthcare due to more community clinics.

Additionally, healthcare in Vancouver is generally more expensive than in Edmonton.

Major hospitals include Royal Alexandra and University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, while Vancouver has Vancouver General and St. Paul’s.

Overall, Edmonton’s healthcare falls under Alberta Health Services, while Vancouver Coastal Health manages Vancouver, with both systems offering quality care but differing in accessibility and cost.

Edmonton vs. Vancouver: How They Stack Up

In the end, each city has its pros and cons that could affect your choice. Which one is better really depends on what you’re looking for and your lifestyle.

To sum up what we’ve talked about, here’s a quick look at which city might be better for you, based on the factors we discussed.

Factors	The Better City	Why
Cost of Living	Edmonton	Living in Edmonton is about 33% cheaper than in Vancouver.
Real Estate	Edmonton	Housing prices in Edmonton are significantly lower than in Vancouver.
Diversity and Demographics	Edmonton	Both cities are diverse, but Edmonton has a higher percentage of visible minorities.
Career Opportunities	Vancouver	Vancouver offers better job opportunities and has a lower unemployment rate.
Crime Index	Vancouver	The crime rate in Vancouver is lower than in Edmonton.
Lifestyle	Tied (depends on what kind of lifestyle you prefer)	Vancouver has more consistent and milder weather compared to Edmonton. Edmonton is known for its indoor attractions and a wide range of annual festivals, while Vancouver excels in outdoor activities. Edmonton provides better access to routine healthcare services, while Vancouver is known for its high-quality healthcare facilities.