Thinking About Moving to Edmonton? Know Your True Costs First.
Don’t get caught off-guard by hidden moving fees, bridge loans, or seasonal utility jumps. Download Erick & Sue’s official 2-Page Edmonton Moving Costs Checklist itemizing all 23 real expenses.
Zero Provincial Sales Tax
Unlike Ontario (13% HST) or BC (12% PST+GST), Alberta only charges the 5% Federal GST. You save 7-8% on almost everything you buy.
No Land Transfer Tax
In Toronto or Vancouver, land transfer tax can cost $15,000 to $45,000 upfront. In Edmonton, land title registration is roughly $955 on a $450k home.
Average Home Price ~$420k - $460k
A detached single family home in Edmonton costs a fraction of the Greater Toronto or Metro Vancouver market, freeing up significant lifestyle cash flow.
Local Market Expertise
Erick Yip and Sue Gaudin at RE/MAX Elite specialize in helping out-of-province families find the right community without rushing or guesswork.
Can We Afford This Move? Let’s Add It Up First.
The price of the home is only part of what a move costs. Seeing the whole picture now means no surprises later. Adjust the numbers below to match your family's situation.
Includes scouting, buying fees, move logistics & down payment
Mortgage, property taxes, seasonal heating & condo/reserve
1. Before You BuyInitial Scouting
Planning, scouting trips, time off and down payment deposits
Flights and hotel for your scouting trip
Tip: Price it for everyone travelling. Plan 3-5 days to explore neighborhoods like Windermere, Glenora, Sherwood Park, or St. Albert.
Rental car and meals on the trip
Tip: Plan for the full week. Driving different quadrants gives you a genuine feel for commutes and amenities.
Time off work during transit and search
Tip: Count unpaid days for each adult involved in the relocation.
Down payment, including initial offer deposit
Tip: Your deposit counts toward your total down payment, not on top of it. In my experience, plan on at least $5,000 at offer time. Ask Erick what’s typical.
2. Buying Your Home in EdmontonAlberta Advantage
Legal fees, land title registration, inspections & mortgages
Legal fees and disbursements
Tip: In my experience, about $1,500 for the lawyer, plus a few hundred in disbursements.
Land title registration fees
SpecialTip: NO land transfer tax in Alberta! Land title fees are just $50 + $5 per $5,000 of price, and the same on mortgage. Example: a $450k home with $405k mortgage is only ~$955 (vs $15k+ in Ontario or BC!).
Certified home inspection
Tip: Typically $300 to $600 depending on home size, age, and sewer scope inspection.
Mortgage default insurance (if under 20% down)
Tip: About 2.80% to 4.00% of your mortgage, rolled right into monthly payments. Your lender will quote it exact.
3. Leaving Your Current HomeTransition
Selling expenses, lease breaks, mortgage penalties & overlap months
Selling costs for current home (commissions, staging, legal)
Tip: Ask a local agent where you currently live for net proceeds expectations.
Mortgage payout penalty / discharge fee
Tip: Ask your lender for a formal payout statement or portability terms.
Lease break fee (if currently renting)
Tip: Review your tenancy contract notice period and fee structure.
Carrying costs of two homes during bridge period
Tip: Add up both homes’ payments, taxes, and utilities for any overlap months.
4. The Move ItselfLogistics
Cross-province movers, vehicle transit, travel & pet transport
Professional long-distance movers and packing supplies
Tip: Get 2 or 3 binding quotes from reputable cross-provincial movers.
Short-term stay and pod/storage fees
Tip: Price by the week in case your possession date shifts or closing has a gap.
Getting your vehicle(s) to Edmonton
Tip: Compare driving through the Rockies or prairies vs train/freight transport.
Pet travel and veterinarian transfer
Tip: Check airline pet carrier fees and get updated vaccination records.
5. Setting Up in EdmontonWelcome to YEG
Utility hookups, Alberta registration & winter readiness prep
Utility connection and hookup fees (Epcor, Enmax, Direct Energy)
Tip: Start each service online a few days before move day. EPCOR handles water & power for most of Edmonton.
Alberta home insurance annual premium
Tip: About $1,400 to $2,000 a year for a single family house. Much less for a condo ($400-$700). Get 2-3 quotes.
Alberta vehicle registration, licence exchange and out-of-province inspection
Tip: Registration is about $93. You have 90 days to switch your licence and plates, and you will need Alberta insurance and an out-of-province vehicle inspection first.
Winter tires, snow gear and cold-weather furnishings
Tip: Quality studded or winter-compound tires, snow shovels, and boot warmers keep your first winter comfortable and safe.
6. Your New Monthly Edmonton BudgetOngoing Living
Mortgage payments, property tax rates, and realistic winter utility costs
Monthly mortgage payment
Tip: Use your lender’s payment calculator based on current competitive fixed or variable rates.
Edmonton municipal property taxes
Tip: A typical Edmonton single family home runs about $425 a month (City of Edmonton monthly EPledge plan). Condos are noticeably less.
Utilities (power, natural gas, water & waste)
Tip: In my experience, about $300 a month in shoulder months and up to $450 in peak winter for natural gas heating, power, water and waste collection.
Condo fees or personal home maintenance reserve
Tip: For condos, fees start around $350-$500 and cover exterior and reserves. For single family homes, budget 1% of home value annually for ongoing care.
Land Title Fees: Why Alberta Saves You Tens of Thousands
No land transfer tax in Alberta. Land title fees are just $50 + $5 per $5,000 of price, and the same on the mortgage.
Erick's Tip #1: No Land Transfer Tax & No PST
Alberta has no land transfer tax and zero provincial sales tax (only 5% GST). That saves real money compared to many other provinces every single month.
Erick's Tip #2: Always Build In A Cushion
In my experience, something always costs more than planned when moving across provinces. Build a cushion into your budget before you start touring homes.
How Much Money Stays In Your Pocket?
Compare Edmonton directly against Vancouver, Toronto, or Calgary. See upfront purchase taxes and long-term cost differences side-by-side.
Toronto (GTA), ON
Vancouver, BC
Calgary, AB
Instant Closing Tax Comparison Tool
Move the slider to estimate closing taxes on your target Edmonton purchase price compared to Ontario or BC.
*Alberta charges no land transfer tax. Registration fees are capped around $1,000 for typical home + mortgage titles.
"Living in Edmonton Alberta" Channel
Hosted by Erick Yip and Sue Gaudin, our YouTube videos give honest, on-the-ground tours of Edmonton neighbourhoods, winter reality checks, school ratings, and cost breakdowns for people moving from BC, Ontario, and abroad.
Get the Complete 2-Page Edmonton Moving Checklist
Plan every single line item before making commitments. Enter your details and immediately receive the high-resolution printable checklist, land title tax cheat sheet, and our local Edmonton relocation handbook.
Erick Yip & Sue Gaudin
RE/MAX Elite Edmonton • Direct: (780) 619-6197
Where should we send your checklist?
Instant download access on the next screen.
Meet Erick Yip & Sue Gaudin
We understand that moving to a new province is one of the biggest moves your family will ever make. You’re not just picking a house—you’re picking school catchments, winter commute routes, and community lifestyle. We created this moving checklist to give our YouTube viewers complete clarity before packing a single box.
Have a specific question about an Edmonton community?
Text or call Erick directly. We love helping families discover Edmonton.