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Alberta is Canada's most affordable major province for homebuyers in 2026, with an average home price of approximately $512,000 — rising 2% year-over-year as Alberta's economy outperforms other provinces. Calgary averages $556,000 and Edmonton $409,000. Alberta charges the lowest land transfer tax in Canada at approximately $3,975 on a $500,000 home, with no additional municipal taxes. Combined with Alberta's high average income of $68,900, no provincial sales tax, and no speculation tax, Alberta offers the best mortgage affordability of any major Canadian province.
Defaults use ~$512k Alberta average with 20% down. Registration fees / land transfer are separate from payment estimates.
20.0% of home price
| Down | Down payment | CMHC | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $25,600 | $19,456 | $2,799.78 |
| 10% | $51,200 | $14,285 | $2,629.47 |
| 20% | $102,400 | — | $2,267.03 |
| 25% | $128,000 | — | $2,125.34 |
Canadian mortgages use nominal rates compounded semi-annually (converted to an effective annual rate, then to your payment frequency). Chart shows cumulative principal and interest paid each year; ending balance trends down toward zero.
Total interest paid
$270,508
Total amount paid
$680,108
Principal + interest on the loan
Interest vs purchase price
53%
of home price goes to interest (illustrative)
Same loan amount, rate, and amortization as above. Semi-monthly and bi-weekly match your monthly cash flow; accelerated bi-weekly uses half the monthly payment every two weeks (13 monthly equivalents per year).
| Frequency | Payment amount | Total interest | Payoff time | Savings vs monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,267.03 | $270,508 | 25 years | — |
| Semi-monthly | $1,133.51 | $269,351 | 24 years 11 months | $1,156 |
| Bi-weekly | $1,046.32 | $269,263 | 25 years | $1,245 |
| Accelerated bi-weeklyRecommended | $1,133.51 | $229,484 | 21 years 8 months | $41,024 |
Savings vs monthly shown on wider screens.
| Location | Average price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta (province) | ~$512,000 | Up ~2% YoY |
| Calgary | ~$556,000 | Fastest growing city |
| Edmonton | ~$409,000 | Most affordable major city |
| Other Alberta | $350,000–$450,000 | Red Deer, Lethbridge, etc. |
| Purchase price | Alberta LTT | First-time rebate | Net cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | ~$3,975 | Full rebate (new homes) | ~$0 (new homes) |
| $750,000 | ~$6,225 | Partial | ~$3,000–$4,000 |
| $1,000,000 | ~$8,475 | None | ~$8,475 |
Alberta's mortgage affordability advantage comes from multiple factors: the lowest land transfer tax in Canada, no provincial sales tax on purchases, the highest average household income at $68,900, rising home values (unlike declining markets in Ontario and BC), and no speculation or vacancy tax. Calgary in particular has seen strong in-migration from other provinces, driven by job opportunities in energy, technology, and agriculture.
At the best 5-year fixed rate we track (4.39% on November 10, 2026), a $550,000 home in Alberta with 20% down costs about $2,408 a month over a 25-year amortization.
| Home price | Down payment | Mortgage (incl. CMHC) | Monthly payment | Interest over 25 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $400,000 | $40,000 (10%) | $371,160 | $2,032 | $238,330 |
| $400,000 | $80,000 (20%) | $320,000 | $1,752 | $205,479 |
| $550,000 | $55,000 (10%) | $510,345 | $2,793 | $327,704 |
| $550,000 | $110,000 (20%) | $440,000 | $2,408 | $282,534 |
| $750,000 | $150,000 (20%) | $600,000 | $3,284 | $385,274 |
Monthly payments, semi-annual compounding, one rate for the full 25 years. Down payments under 20% add CMHC insurance to the loan. The lowest advertised rates are often for insured mortgages, so 20%-down borrowers may be quoted slightly more. Property tax, home insurance and land transfer tax are not included.
The average home price in Alberta is approximately $512,000 in 2026, up about 2% year-over-year. Calgary averages $556,000 and Edmonton $409,000, making both cities significantly more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver.
Alberta's land transfer tax on a $500,000 home is approximately $3,975 — the lowest of any major Canadian province. First-time buyers purchasing new homes may receive a full rebate up to $450,000. Alberta does not charge any municipal land transfer tax.
On a $90,000 salary in Alberta with no other debts, you can typically qualify for a mortgage of approximately $400,000–$450,000 under the 2026 stress test. With Alberta's average home price of $512,000, a 20% down payment of about $102,000 would result in mortgage payments of approximately $2,200–$2,400 per month.
Edmonton is more affordable with an average home price of $409,000 versus Calgary's $556,000. Both cities offer significantly better affordability than Toronto or Vancouver, and Alberta's low land transfer tax and no PST reduce closing costs further.
Educational estimates only. Not a lender pre-approval.