High Cost of Living Pushes More Albertans Toward Poverty
• Calgary now has the highest "market basket measure" (cost of basic necessities) of any major Canadian city at $55,771 for a family of 4.
• While Albertans have higher median incomes, they also have greater income inequality, meaning more people struggle to afford basic needs.
• Higher electricity, insurance, etc. costs in Alberta contribute to the high basic cost of living.
• Alberta has seen incomes rise more slowly than other parts of Canada recently, reducing the "Alberta advantage."
• Without solutions like increased income supports and wages tied to inflation, more Albertans may fall into poverty.