8 Best Cities in Alberta Province to Live in

Alberta, alongside Saskatchewan and Manitoba, is referred to as the Prairies. These are areas covered in grasslands with very fertile soil and are, therefore, the major agricultural centers in Canada.

Located in the Central-western part of Canada, Alberta stands out from other provinces in the Prairies as the country’s leading oil producer. The jewel province has much to offer to Canada’s economy and has one of the most diversified income sources in the country. For all the province has to offer, it is worth knowing what the best cities in Alberta are.

This is particularly important if you are considering immigrating to the province specifically. We hope this article will give you a feel of what each city is like even before you arrive in the province.

Cities in Alberta Arranged in Alphabetical Order

In Canada, a city is recognized as having the highest status amongst all the urban municipality statuses. There are 19 cities in Alberta altogether, with each of them having a population of at least 10,000 people. The cities of Alberta in alphabetical order are:

• Airdrie
• Beaumont
• Brooks
• Calgary
• Camrose
• Chestermere
• Cold Lake
• Edmonton
• Fort Saskatchewan
• Grande Praire
• Lacombe
• Leduc
• Lethbridge
• Lloydminster
• Medicine Hat
• Red Deer
• Spruce Grove
• Albert
• Wetaskiwin

Best 8 Cities in Alberta Province to Live in

• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Red Deer
• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Grand Prairie
• Airdrie
• Albert

Edmonton

As the capital city of Alberta, Edmonton presents to us the beauty of Alberta in the most glorious ways. The aesthetics of the city alone automatically brings it into our list of the best places to live in Alberta. Not to mention the abundance of job opportunities, quality education experience, and a desirable standard of living.

By population, Edmonton is the second biggest city in Alberta and the fifth-largest in Canada. It is a centre for education, research, tourism, politics, industry, and technology. You will find extensive crude oil mines, fast-growing tech hubs, top-notch schools, and wowing tourism and recreational sites in Edmonton. Indeed, everything about Edmonton city was built for excellence.

Calgary

There has always been a subtle struggle between Edmonton and Calgary to become the best city in Alberta. Different persons have, at one time or the other, why they think either of them is the greatest force in the province of Alberta. Edmonton is the capital city, but Calgary has even more interesting facts.

First, it is the biggest city in Alberta, both by population and landmass. By population, Calgary is Canada’s third-largest city, followed by Toronto and Montreal. Calgary has so much to hold for Alberta.

It was the first city to be created in Alberta on January 1, 1894. Today, Calgary is the leading producer of crude oil in Alberta and the whole of Canada. Canada is the fifth-largest producer of crude oil in the world. This remarkable feat has only been achieved as a result of the huge reserves found in Calgary city.

Another thing that makes Calgary the destination city for many immigrants is its diversified economy. Foreigners find job opportunities that cut across mining, agriculture, technology, financial services, health, business, and tourism.

Little wonder the city is the most populated in the province of Alberta. In 2015, Calgary had the highest number of millionaires in Canada. Since then, much more residents have made their fortune from the ever-booming economy of the city.

Red Deer

If you are torn between staying in Edmonton and Calgary, you could resolve to stay in Red Deer. After all, the city is right between the two cities in the region known as the Calgary-Edmonton corridor.

That way, you will be able to experience the feel of living in Edmonton and Calgary simultaneously while also enjoying the benefits of residing in a quieter city like Red Deer.

Red Deer is Alberta’s center for farming, rearing cattle, and manufacturing petrochemical products. The opportunities available in the city are diverse and will favor the skilled and the unskilled, the highly educated and the unlettered.

When it comes to education, Red Deer is also not behind. Some of the schools in the city are the best in the province, offering opportunities for graduate studies for foreigners and post-graduate research with reasonable funding levels.

Lethbridge

In the parts of Alberta that border the United States of America, Lethbridge is the most developed city. The whole of Southern Alberta relies on the city as its center of industry, commerce, transportation, and so on. In Lethbridge, you will find more than enough opportunities in business, particularly retail, as well as in education, health, and hospitality.

Lethbridge is also known as the cultural capital of Canada. This is because the city has learned to embrace the diversity of culture and readily promotes the art of lifestyle of its residents. Hence, if you are passionate about art, cultural photography, and local food promotion, you may consider making Lethbridge city your home.

Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat is Alberta’s natural gas reserve nicknamed ‘the gas city.’ But, ignore the weird name; Medicine Hat is one of the most beautiful and quiet cities in Canada, known for the low cost of living, low crime rate, and quality of education. Despite the weather extremes experienced in Medicine Hat during summer and winter, immigrants have learned to adapt fast enough. After all, when they consider the advantage of the low cost of living in the long run, they resolve to the fact that living in Medicine Hat is worth it.

Most of the employment jobs in Medicine Hat revolve around agriculture, mining, and retailing. So if you are specifically looking for jobs along these lines, Medicine Hat is a city you should keep in mind.

Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie is one of those cities in Alberta that offers us a blend of urban and rural life on a close range. The city’s economy is growing rapidly, and immigrants quickly find their feet in the transportation, retail, and hospitality sectors. If you are a lover of agriculture, settling down in Grand Prairie will be a great move. There is fertile land available for farming, and the local farmers have learned to make use of technology to improve the quality of production.

Airdrie

One of the advantages of living in a city like Airdrie is the relatively lower cost of gas. We guess that is a bonus many will readily jump at, but that is one of the advantages of living in Airdrie. The city is also one of Alberta’s most family-friendly regions. Locals and immigrants alike have attested to this fact. The city features a quality educational system for children, recreational spots for families, and religious centers.

What makes Airdrie stand out for us most as one of the best cities in Alberta is the proximity to the cities of Edmonton and Calgary. Airdrie is located in the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor. It takes only 15 minutes to drive from the city to Calgary and about 2 hours and 30 minutes to drive to Edmonton.

St. Albert

Looking for less traffic, a smaller city, and quiet life in Alberta? St. Albert is a city that checks all those boxes. Moreover, the city is only a few minutes away from Edmonton. So if you once in a while desire to experience the adventure of a bustling city, you can make a quick visit to the provincial capital after work or during weekends. The proximity to Edmonton means you can get anything you want as fast as possible, even if you don’t reside in the capital city.

St. Albert is also one of the cheapest cities in Alberta. Hence, we recommend it for families and students. We have found one or two students who school in Edmonton but reside in St. Albert or visit the city frequently. In addition, the unemployment rate in St. Albert is very low, and students from schools in the locality can be sure of relevant employment after their education.

Biggest Cities in Alberta

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Grande Prairie
• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Red Deer
• Airdrie
• Cold Lake
• Albert
• Fort Saskatchewan

Cheapest Cities in Alberta

• Cold Lake
• Lloydminster
• Fort Saskatchewan
• Medicine Hat
• Grande Prairie
• Leduc
• Wetaskiwin
• Beaumont
• Spruce Grove
• Lacombe

Top 10 Cities in Alberta by Population

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Red Deer
• Lethbridge
• Airdrie
• Grande Prairie
• Medicine Hat
• Albert
• Spruce Grove
• Leduc

See Also: Top 5 largest Cities in Yukon province for the newcomers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Capital City of Alberta?

Edmonton is the Capital City of Alberta. The city belongs to the Edmonton Metropolitan Region of Canada. It was recognized as a city in 1904 and became the capital of the province of Alberta in 1906

Other major cities in Alberta are:

• Calgary
• Red Deer
• Airdrie
• Lethbridge
• Medicine Hat
• Grande Prairie

How many Cities are in Alberta, Canada?

Ans. Altogether, there are 19 recognized cities in Alberta, Canada. Each city comes under a metropolitan region overseen by the municipal government.

What is the Best Place to Live in Alberta?

Ans. Calgary tops our list of the best places to live in Alberta. The city’s economy is the richest in the province, providing more than enough opportunities for immigrants wishing to make Canada their country of residence.

What is the Cost of Living in Alberta Like?

Ans. The province of Canada has a stratified economy. From the urban centers of Calgary and Edmonton to the countryside regions of Cold Lake and Wetaskiwin, the cost of living differs significantly. The average cost of living in Alberta for a single person is about C$1,400.

In Edmonton, the average cost of living per person is between C$1,500 and C$2,300. In Cold Lake, the average cost of living per month is between C$1200 and C$1400

Generally speaking, living in Canada is cheaper than living in provinces like Ontario and British Colombia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the eight best cities in Alberta Province to live in. They all offer something different, and each has its unique charm. Of course, it depends on what you’re looking for in a city and which would fit you best. But regardless of which city you choose, you’re sure to have a great experience living in Alberta Province.