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Relocation guide
Moving to Edmonton: A Home Buyer's Guide for 2026
Thinking about moving to Edmonton from another province or another country? Here are the numbers that matter: what homes cost, what closing costs look like in Alberta, and the deadlines for health care, licences and schools. Every figure links to its source.
Edmonton population (July 2025)1,238,295
Edmonton area benchmark price (Sept 2026)$423,100
Land transfer taxNone (registration fee only)
Provincial sales taxNone
What homes cost
The MLS benchmark price for the Greater Edmonton Area was $423,100 in September 2026, down 0.3% from a year earlier. For the same month, Calgary's benchmark was $566,700, Greater Toronto's $917,600 and Greater Vancouver's about $1,075,900. In other words, Greater Toronto's benchmark was about 2.2 times Edmonton's, and Greater Vancouver's about 2.5 times.
By part of the city
Typical house values from City of Edmonton 2026 assessments, across the neighbourhoods in each area. Assessed values are not sale prices.
| Part of Edmonton | Neighbourhoods | Middle typical house value | Middle year built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Edmonton | 27 | $430,750 | 1957 |
| West Edmonton | 54 | $495,250 | 1976 |
| Southwest Edmonton | 60 | $543,750 | 1992 |
| Southeast Edmonton | 38 | $420,000 | 1981 |
| Northeast Edmonton | 52 | $370,750 | 1975 |
| Northwest Edmonton | 26 | $379,750 | 1980 |
Compare all 257 neighbourhoods side by side on Edmonton neighbourhoods compared, or see what homes actually sold for on recently sold homes.
Buying costs in Alberta
- No land transfer tax. Alberta charges a Land Titles registration fee: $50 plus $5 per $5,000 of the home's value, and the same formula on your mortgage. Example: a $450,000 home costs $500 to register, and a $360,000 mortgage $410.
- No provincial sales tax in Alberta.
- Down payment: 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the portion above it, up to $1,499,999. Homes of $1.5 million or more need 20% down, and CMHC insurance is not available.
- First-time buyers: a First Home Savings Account allows $8,000 a year up to $40,000 lifetime, and the Home Buyers' Plan lets you withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSPs.
- New homes: first-time buyers can get up to $50,000 in GST relief on new homes up to $1 million, phased out up to $1.5 million. Other buyers may qualify for the standard new housing rebate of 36% of the GST, up to $6,300, on homes under $450,000.
- Property tax: the City's typical household had a 2026 assessment of $492,500. Use the City's calculator for your own estimate.
Your first 90 days
Health care
Apply for Alberta Health Care Insurance within 3 months of becoming a resident. Moving from another province, coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency, so keep your old coverage until then.
Driver's licence and vehicle
Exchange an out-of-province licence and register your vehicle in Alberta within 90 days. Vehicles from outside Alberta need an out-of-province inspection before plates are issued, with some exemptions.
Schools, transit and work
- Schools: Edmonton Public Schools runs 214 schools with 121,613 students, and Edmonton Catholic Schools 96 schools with 51,433 students. Each assigns a designated school by home address.
- LRT: the Capital, Metro and Valley lines run today. Valley Line West, from downtown to Lewis Farms, is expected to finish construction in 2028.
- Airport: Edmonton International Airport served 8.14 million passengers in 2025, with more than 50 non-stop destinations.
- Growth: the Edmonton metro area grew 3.0% from 2024 to 2025, one of the fastest rates among Canadian metros, with the largest net gain from other provinces. Edmonton Global lists its key sectors as AI and technology, clean technology, food and agriculture, global logistics, and life sciences.
Questions
How much does a home cost in Edmonton?
The MLS benchmark price for the Greater Edmonton Area was $423,100 in September 2026, compared with $566,700 in Calgary, $917,600 in Greater Toronto and about $1,075,900 in Greater Vancouver.
Does Alberta have a land transfer tax?
No. Alberta charges a Land Titles registration fee instead: $50 plus $5 for every $5,000 of value, and the same formula on the mortgage amount. On a $450,000 home that works out to $500 for the transfer.
How soon do I need Alberta health care after I move?
Apply within 3 months of becoming an Alberta resident. If you move from another province, coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency.
When do I need to switch my driver's licence and plates?
Within 90 days of becoming an Alberta resident. Vehicles registered outside Alberta need an out-of-province inspection before plates are issued, with some exemptions.
How do Edmonton schools work?
Edmonton Public Schools (214 schools) and Edmonton Catholic Schools (96 schools) each assign a designated school based on your home address. You can look up your designated school before you buy.
Keep exploring
Neighbourhoods comparedNeighbourhoods A to ZCondo buildings A to ZMilitary relocationFirst-time buyer guideMap search
Sources: City of Edmonton, Financial Report to Residents 2025; Statistics Canada, population estimates, Jan 14, 2026; CREA, REALTORS Association of Edmonton statistics; CREA, Calgary statistics; TRREB, MLS HPI tables, September 2026; BNN Bloomberg, Vancouver-area sales, Oct 2, 2026; Government of Alberta, Land Titles fee schedule; CMHC, mortgage loan insurance explained; CRA, First Home Savings Account; CRA, Home Buyers Plan; CRA, first-time home buyers GST rebate; CRA, GST/HST new housing rebate; Invest Alberta, tax advantages; City of Edmonton, where your taxes go; Government of Alberta, health coverage when moving to Alberta; Government of Alberta, exchange a licence; Government of Alberta, register a vehicle; Government of Alberta, out-of-province vehicle inspections; Edmonton Public Schools, facts; Edmonton Public Schools, find a school; Edmonton Catholic Schools, fast facts; City of Edmonton, Valley Line West; Edmonton International Airport, 2025 results; Edmonton Global, sectors; City of Edmonton 2026 property assessments via our neighbourhood guides.
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