The Town of Wainwright is being highlighted once again as having the lowest cost of living in Alberta, according to the 2024 Alberta Spatial Price Index.
In 2018, Wainwright also got the nod for the lowest cost of living.
The stats use Edmonton as a base reference index of 100.0. An index of 110.0 would represent a 10 per cent higher cost than Edmonton. An index of 90.0 would represent 10 per cent lower.
Overall, for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5, meaning it’s about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.
Thirty-seven Alberta communities were surveyed between Oct. 7 and Nov. 15, 2024.
The overall list for towns around the region reads:
- Vegreville – 96.7
- St. Paul and Vermilion – 97.1
- Bonnyville – 97.9
- Cold Lake 98.5
Restaurants
When it comes to eating out, Calgary and Hinton head the list for most expensive places to dine at a restaurant at 121.0 and 130 respectively, meaning that they are 21 and 30 per cent more expensive than Edmonton.
Also, eating at a restaurant in Bonnyville (100.3%) is 10 per cent more expensive than Edmonton. Whereas, for Lloydminster, that could be two per cent cheaper than Edmonton.
Around the region:
- St. Paul – 90.9
- Wainwright – 97.5
- Lloydminster – 97.9
- Vegreville – 98.6
Shopping: Recreation and leisure
When it comes to shopping, the list covers personal care, household equipment and supplies, and transportation.
On recreation and leisure shopping, Grande Prairie leads at 92.3 per cent.
Around the region:
- Bonnyville – 94.3
- Cold Lake – 96.4
- Lloydminster – 97.7
- Vegreville – 98.9
Utilities
The cost of utilities in Alberta remains a hot button topic with residents paying some of the highest rates in the country for electricity.
Lac La Biche has the cheapest utility rates in the province at 87.2. That’s seven per cent cheaper than Edmonton. Lloydminster is at 132.0. That’s 32 per cent more expensive than Edmonton.
Around the region:
- Wainwright – 107.5
- Vegreville – 123.5
- Vermilion – 145.8
- Bonnyville – 153.2
Shelter
When it comes to shelter, Athabasca leads the province at 71.8. Meaning, shelter is about 28 per cent cheaper than in Edmonton.
Around the region:
- St Paul – 77.3
- Wainwright – 79.2
- Lloydminster – 80.4
- Vermilion – 82.0
- Bonnyville – 85.3
You may read the full details of the 2024 Alberta Spatial Price Index online.
