Rent in Calgary costs over double what minimum wage earners can afford
While rental prices have cooled, a new report shows 51 cities across Canada, including Calgary, are struggling to balance minimum wage and the cost of rent.
The digital real estate platform Zoocasa released a report analyzing how much Canadians need to earn to afford rent under the 32 per cent rule. This rule suggests that no more than 32 per cent of an individual’s income should go towards housing.
āItās a standard thatās supposed to leave room for food, transportation, savings, and a little breathing room for the unexpected. But for Canadians earning minimum wage, that target feels like an impossible dream,ā the report states.Ā
In Calgary, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment currently sits at $1,675, while minimum wage remains the lowest in the country at $15 per hour.
To meet the 32 per cent rule in Calgary, minimum wage would need to be increased to around $32.21 per hour, more than double the current rate.Ā
Zoocasa
The rest of Alberta is in the same boat, according to the report.
āEdmonton, with an average rent of $1,386, requires an hourly wage of $26.65, which is approximately 78 percent higher than the minimum wage. Smaller cities, like Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, tell a similar story.ā
Alberta has been recognized as one of the most affordable provinces in the country due to its lower cost of living and absence of provincial tax; however, it is the only province or territory that has not raised its minimum wage in 2025.
51 cities across the country were analyzed, and while Calgary faces a notable gap between minimum wage and the income needed to afford rent, it is far from needing the most significant increase.
Cities such as North Vancouver, Vancouver, and Toronto need to see minimum wage increases of over $25 to follow the 32 per cent rule.