We prepare this guide to help you answer some basic questions about Edmonton. Where is it? How’s the cost of living? What’s the weather like? How’s the public transportation?
Overview of Edmonton
Province: Alberta
Population: City -> 0,9 million / Metropolitan area -> 1,3 million (2016)
Climate: Humid continental climate
Demonym: Edmontonian
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time MST (GMT -7 hours)
Area phone code: beginning with 780, 587, or 825
Postal code: beginning with T5A to T6Z
Population: City -> 0,9 million / Metropolitan area -> 1,3 million (2016)
Climate: Humid continental climate
Demonym: Edmontonian
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time MST (GMT -7 hours)
Area phone code: beginning with 780, 587, or 825
Postal code: beginning with T5A to T6Z
Location of Edmonton
Edmonton is the provincial capital of Alberta, and is situated along the North Saskatchewan River, just 220 Km from the Rocky Mountains.
Cost of Living in Edmonton
Edmonton residents have the privilege of having an affordable cost of living paired with the second highest median family income in Canada. Income tax rates are one of the lowest in Canada, and sales taxes are only 5% (compared to 15% on most provinces). Edmonton, and Alberta in general, have very cheap gas prices compared to other provinces in Canada. It costs around a $100 for a monthly pass in Edmonton’s public transportation system.
Overall, living costs in Edmonton are quite reasonable compared to other big cities.
Check here for detailed prices of the cost of living in Edmonton. You can choose your currency for more ease of comparison.
Overall, living costs in Edmonton are quite reasonable compared to other big cities.
Check here for detailed prices of the cost of living in Edmonton. You can choose your currency for more ease of comparison.
Weather in Edmonton
Edmonton has a dry humid continental climate with extreme seasonal temperatures. It has cold winters and warm summers, with maximum average temperatures of −10.4 °C in January to 17.7 °C in July. However, temperatures can swing up past 30 °C and down below -20 °C for around 4 or 5 days every year. Autumn and spring are usually short with variable temperatures.
Edmonton is one of Canada’s sunniest cities, just behind Calgary in terms of hours of sunshine per year.
Edmonton is one of Canada’s sunniest cities, just behind Calgary in terms of hours of sunshine per year.
Transportation in Edmonton
The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) operates an important fleet of buses as well as the Edmonton Light Rail Transit (LRT). The problem with the LRT line is that it does not run east to west, only north to south. However, there are current construction projects to develop the LRT line. For ETS fares, consult their website.
For many residents, cars are the primary mode of transportation, due to low gasoline prices.
Pros and cons of Edmonton
Negatives :
Positives :
- Higher crime rates compared to other comparable cities.
- Long, cold winters.
- Expensive housing compared to other prairie cities.
- More of a car-friendly city.
Positives :
- Strong economy, with many opportunities.
- Cheaper housing rates than in Calgary, and way more cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver.
- Very cheap gas prices (lowest in Canada).
- Lower taxes.
- Canada’s Festival City.
For more information on how to get an Alberta Healthcare Card, click here.
To learn more about driving and getting a driver’s licence in Alberta, click here.
To learn more about driving and getting a driver’s licence in Alberta, click here.
