Alberta Living Wage Network Releases 2026 Living Wage Rates for 20 Alberta Communities

Nov 9

The Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN) has released its 2026 living wage rates for 20 communities across Alberta, highlighting the income working Albertans need to cover basic expenses and participate in their communities.

This year's living wages range from $18.05 per hour in Medicine Hat to $27.45 per hour in Banff. All 20 rates remain above Alberta's $15-per-hour minimum wage.

Among the 19 communities with comparable results from 2025, living wages increased in nine and decreased in ten. These changes reflect differences in local living costs, including housing, food, transportation and child care, as well as the impact of government benefits.

What's Driving the Changes?

The cost of living is changing differently across Alberta.

Of the 19 communities with comparable data, shelter costs increased in 13, while food costs increased in 10. Other communities experienced decreases in these expenses, helping to moderate their calculated living wage rates.

Government benefits also play an important role. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and improvements to ALWN's calculation of the Canada Workers Benefit helped lower calculated living wage rates in some communities. However, not all workers qualify for these benefits, particularly in higher-cost communities.

Red Deer experienced the largest year-over-year increase, rising 8.23% to $22.35 per hour. Higher costs for child care, shelter, transportation and food contributed to the increase.

Brooks recorded the largest decrease, falling 6.36% to $20.60 per hour, reflecting lower food and shelter costs alongside changes to government benefits.

Banff joins the calculations for the first time in 2026, reporting a living wage of $27.45 per hour, the highest among this year's participating communities.

The 2026 Living Wages are as follows:

Banff: $27.45/hr First-time calculation

Barrhead: $23.00 Up 6.73%

Bonnyville: $23.25 Up 4.97%

Brooks: $20.60 Down 6.36%

Calgary: $26.90 Up 1.51%

Cold Lake: $18.70 Down 2.09%

Drayton Valley: $21.35 Up 4.91%

Edmonton: $22.65 Up 1.57%

Fort McMurray: $22.90 Down 0.43%

Grande Prairie: $21.70 Down 0.46%

High River: $23.85 Up 1.92%

Lethbridge: $21.45 Down 3.81%

Lloydminster (AB/SK): $21.10 Down 2.54%

Medicine Hat: $18.05 Down 0.55%

Red Deer: $22.35 Up 8.23%

Rocky Mountain House: $21.05 Down 3.66%

Special Areas: $21.45 Up 0.94%

Spruce Grove: $22.70 Down 4.22%

St. Albert: $27.20 Up 6.25%

Stony Plain: $23.65 Down 2.67%

Percentage changes are compared with the 2025 living wage calculations.

Why a Living Wage Matters

A living wage is the hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community. Unlike the minimum wage, a living wage reflects the actual cost of living in a specific community.

ALWN's calculations consider expenses for three household types, accounting for differences in living costs, taxes and government benefits.

As ALWN economist Ryan Lacanilao explains:

“In every community, the living wage is higher than minimum wage. This gap represents people who are struggling to make ends meet even while working full time.”

Paying a living wage can also benefit employers through improved recruitment, staff retention, workplace well-being and stronger relationships with the communities they serve.

Building a Living Wage Alberta

The Alberta Living Wage Network is a collaboration of municipalities and community organizations working to advance the living wage movement across the province.

Each year, ALWN works with participating communities to calculate living wages based on local costs. The Network also offers a certification program recognizing employers who commit to paying their employees a living wage.

As ALWN Coordinator Alison Van Dyke notes:

“A living wage is about more than a paycheque.”

When workers can afford housing, food, transportation and other necessities, they experience greater financial stability, and those benefits extend to families, businesses and communities.