Basic necessities cost more in Calgary than in Vancouver and Toronto

Currently, costs for basic needs in Calgary are said to be higher than in any other major city in Canada, including Vancouver and Toronto – according to Statistics Canada's updated market measurements.

Market Basket is recognized as the official household wealth index in Canada. This concept shows how much income a family should have to have a basic standard of living. This amount is calculated from the costs of a basket of goods and basic services, which include food, clothing, lodging, and transportation.

If the household income is less than the city market basket measurement, the household is below the poverty line.

The new 2022 data shows that in Calgary it rose to $55,771 – up from $51,861 last year. Meanwhile, the volume of the market basket is $55,727 in Vancouver and $55,262 in Toronto. Edmonton is fourth with $55,225 and Ottawa-Gatineau is fifth.

Charles St-Arnaud, Alberta's chief economist, isn't surprised by the numbers. But he adds that other goods and services are more expensive in Alberta — like electricity and insurance.

"We still have the highest incomes compared to other countries," says Saint-Arnaud. So while the baskets of people in Calgary are more expensive, people in other provinces may feel more. According to census data, the income per Albertan was $41,600 in 2020 – still less than the market measure for a household in Calgary (with an average of $38,000), more than the market basket measure for. Ontario and British Columbia ($38,000 each). But Saint-Arnaud says the gap is narrowing. "[Albertans' incomes] have risen faster than the rest of the country, so we're seeing consolidation," he says. Megan Reed, executive director of Calgary's Dynamic Youth, sees an end to Alberta's dominance of the region's economy. He believes that Alberta is one of the most unequal provinces in terms of income

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