It might seem like an age-old discussion, but a recent thread on Reddit led to another conversation about the pros and cons of living in Edmonton over Vancouver.
Various points were discussed, including the cost of living, housing affordability, and the weather.
One person even suggested they’d prefer living in a sunny -25˚C in Edmonton over Vancouver due to its affordability.
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How much do people make in both cities?
According to the most recent numbers from the City of Edmonton, the median household income in its census metropolitan area in 2022 was $111,110, representing a 2.5% increase compared to 2021. It doesn’t specify whether that’s before or after taxes.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation says that in 2021, the median household income in Vancouver was $79,500 after taxes and $90,000 before taxes.
Talent.com has additional data for median salaries in Edmonton versus Vancouver.
The median salary in Edmonton is around $65,000 per year. It is slightly higher in Vancouver, at $70,664 a year.
The cost to rent and own a home
It’s probably common knowledge that housing costs are drastically cheaper in Edmonton than in Vancouver, but the actual numbers are still striking.
First, looking at rental rates in both cities, we see that for a one-bedroom apartment, the average rent in Edmonton ($1,355) is $1,179 cheaper than in Vancouver ($2,534). The disparity grows even more vast when you compare two-bedroom apartments.
A two-bedroom apartment in Edmonton ($1,676) is $1,737 cheaper than in Vancouver ($3,413).
The numbers come from the most recent rental report by Rentals.ca.
The difference is just as pronounced when considering the cost of owning a home. According to WOWA, the average detached home sold price in Vancouver as of November 2024 is $2,159,691. The same data in Edmonton reveals that the average sold price in November was $540,320. That’s a difference of over $1.6 million.
Many Edmontonians suggested they’ve seen or even bought houses for under $400,000 in Edmonton. Someone else said that they ask themselves, “Why the f**k do I live here” until they see posts about affordability and remember why.
What people are saying about Vancouver and Edmonton
A discussion broke out in the Edmonton subreddit a couple of days ago about an affordability post from WOWA, which declared Edmonton the second in affordability among Canadian cities as of October 2024. Vancouver was on the opposite side of the list, ranked as the most unaffordable spot in Canada.
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WOWA provided different income numbers, saying the gross median household income in Vancouver was $92,000 and $101,000 in Edmonton.
Some fear the destabilization of housing in Edmonton due to the number of people moving over that way.
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The weather in both cities came up frequently.
“Before you pack your bag and move to Edmonton. It is -25 today,” one Redditor said.
Others didn’t think that was a big deal, with one Redditor saying that if they could afford a house and a car in a sunny -25°C, they would “easily” ditch living in a “creepy basement” suite in a “wet and dark marshland like Vancouver.”
For comparison’s sake, the weather isn’t too different in both cities this week, with the exception of Monday, when Edmonton sees temperatures of -9°C, while Vancouver is at 7°C. For the rest of the week, Edmonton is cooler just by a few degrees during the day, getting a little colder overnight into freezing temperatures.
One person said that it’s “not for everyone,” even if it is way more affordable than any major city in Canada.
“I have met extroverts who would never in a million years move here. They enjoy the lifestyle of downtown Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto. These are bustling cities with some of the best ethnic restaurants and 5-star Michelin-approved chefs from around the world.”
That comment also mentioned corporate jobs, fancy restaurants, bars, and rooftop clubs.
We’ve also covered this topic in previous stories, and sentiments were mixed. Some suggested they left Vancouver because they were sad there. Meanwhile, some Edmonton residents suggested not moving to the home of the Oilers.
If you’re someone who has experience with living in both cities, what has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments. Additionally, if you want to share your story with us, email Vancouver@DailyHive.com.