Melanie MoralesIs it better to live in Edmonton or Winnipeg?
In terms of living costs and the real estate market, Winnipeg is considered better. However, living in Edmonton is arguably preferable if you want more varied job opportunities and a safer environment for your family.
Want to know how to arrived at this conclusion? Let’s figure out which of the two cities aligns most with your living requirements through a data-driven breakdown of the similarities and differences below!
- Cost of Living in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Real Estate Market in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Job Opportunities in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Diversity and Demographics in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Safety Index in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Lifestyle in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
- Final Verdict: Which is better, Edmonton or Winnipeg?
Cost of Living in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
The cost of living in Winnipeg is slightly cheaper than in Edmonton. The average monthly living cost in Edmonton is $1,660, while in Winnipeg, it’s $1,546 – so it’s 7.11% cheaper to live in Winnipeg.
Most expenses are more affordable in Winnipeg, including housing rent, utility bills, and transportation. The only difference lies in gas prices and annual tuition fees for international primary schools because they’re relatively cheaper in Edmonton.
Both cities offer relatively low living costs, so whichever city you choose, we can say that Edmonton and Winnipeg are both decent options. Nonetheless, the overall cost of living is still subject to your lifestyle preferences and needs.
Want more details? Listed below is an overview of the average cost of living in Edmonton and Winnipeg. We sourced the data from LivingCost.org.
Real Estate Market in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
According to the Housing Market Report of WOWA.ca, as of April 2023, Winnipeg has lower real estate prices compared to Edmonton.
The average listing price of a detached home in Winnipeg is 22.67% cheaper than in Edmonton. Meanwhile, condos are typically 23.94% more expensive in Edmonton.
Edmonton is known for its affordable real estate prices, but as you can see, Winnipeg overthrows Edmonton with even cheaper housing prices.
Listed below is data from WOWA.ca that shows the difference between the average listing prices of detached homes and condo apartments in Edmonton and Winnipeg.
Job Opportunities in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
It’s slightly easier to get a job in Winnipeg because the unemployment rate in Winnipeg sits at 4.6%, while in Edmonton, it’s 5.4%.
However, career paths in Winnipeg can be limited, and the average salary is comparatively lower. Besides that, Edmonton offers more diverse opportunities for career advancement.
In addition to that, according to Talent.com, the average salary in Edmonton per year is $56,176, so it’s relatively higher than Winnipeg’s average annual salary, which is $41,184.
It’s also worth noting that in Winnipeg, the average annual salary of an entry-level position starts at $37,396, while in Edmonton, it starts at $40,801.
As you can see, the average salary per year of an entry-level employee in Edmonton is marginally the same as the salary of a regular employee in Winnipeg.
That’s why even if the cost of living in Edmonton is slightly higher than in Winnipeg, you can still live comfortably and even save a bit.
Diversity and Demographics in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
Both cities are melting pots of cultures, but when it comes to diversity, it’s a win for Edmonton because its population has more visible minorities. 40.3% of Edmonton’s population identifies as visible minorities, while in Winnipeg, it’s 25%.
Still, even if there is a gap between the cities’ visible minority rates, we can say that Winnipeg is racially diverse because around 11.7% of the population is of Indigenous descent.
It’s probably worth talking about population distribution by land area too. The table below shows the difference between Edmonton’s and Winnipeg’s population distribution.
As you can see, Edmonton and Winnipeg are not that far apart in terms of total land area. However, the former has a significantly larger population and more diverse demographics than the latter.
The numbers also show a 58.95% difference between the cities’ population densities. That may be a consideration if you want to have a little more space to yourself, so to speak.
To further differentiate the racial and cultural diversity in Edmonton and Winnipeg, we gathered stats from World Population Review.
Safety Index in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
It’s generally safer to live in Edmonton than in Winnipeg. According to Numbeo, the safety index of Edmonton is 53.22%, while in Winnipeg, it’s only 40.88%.
Nevertheless, what we can advise is to steer clear of the problem areas and check out the safest neighborhoods in both cities to guarantee your peace of mind.
Both cities have shown high crime rates in recent years due to several factors, including poverty, limited police force, and substance abuse. That’s why if safety is the deciding factor for you, it’s best to choose Edmonton because at least it maintains a moderate safety index.
For details, we listed below data from Numbeo that shows the difference between the crime severity index in both cities.
Lifestyle in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
If healthcare coverage is your main concern and you want to try a lot of recreational facilities, you can live comfortably in Winnipeg. However, if you rely on public transportation and your type of fun is exploring nature, Edmonton might be the better choice.
Healthcare in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
In terms of healthcare services’ satisfaction level, Edmonton got Winnipeg beat. Sourced data from Numbeo shows that the healthcare index in Edmonton is at 77.69%, while in Winnipeg, it’s only 68.38%.
However, when it comes to overall healthcare services, we can say that Winnipeg has better coverage. Unlike Alberta Health Services, Manitoba Health Services offers better coverage in terms of physician’s services, optometry services, and dental procedures.
Weather in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
Both Edmonton and Winnipeg are in the Canadian prairies, so they experience a humid continental climate along with unpredictable and extreme weather variations throughout the year. Moreover, both cities experience long and harsh winters as well as humid summers.
In summer, the temperature in Edmonton can be as high as 30°C, while in winter, the temperature can be as low as -35°C. This is quite the same as Winnipeg’s weather because, in summer, the temperature in the city can rise up to 35°C, and in winter, it can drop to -35°C.
Transportation in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
In terms of public transportation, Edmonton has a more extensive transit system than Winnipeg.
You see, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) features a fleet of over 900 buses, 100 Disable Adult Transit Service (DATS), and 90 light rail vehicles. Apart from that, ETS operates until 3 AM all days of the week and sometimes runs extended services on its five routes.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg Transit System is a bit limited since it only runs a fleet of 585 buses that cover 89 routes around the city. That’s why most residents prefer to have their own car or just use the bike path network throughout the city.
Nonetheless, Winnipeg Transit Services is still good if you want to save a bit because they offer 50% off transit passes for eligible individuals or families living in the low-income brackets.
Leisure and Recreation in Edmonton vs. Winnipeg
Edmonton and Winnipeg offer a myriad of options when it comes to leisure and recreation.
Edmonton is an excellent starting point for people who enjoy outdoor attractions and activities, while Winnipeg is known for its 63 community centers and recreational facilities for entertainment.
If you’re on the hunt for adventure and want to be one with nature, you can visit a range of attractions in Edmonton, including the following:
Meanwhile, Winnipeg features a variety of drop-in and registered leisure programs for all ages and skill levels throughout the year. Some of the recreational facilities you can visit in Winnipeg are the following:
- Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex
- University of Manitoba Recreation Services
- Gateway Recreation Center.
Final Verdict: Which is better, Edmonton or Winnipeg?
All things considered, both cities are progressively growing in recent years, but they also have features they need to improve. Make sure to understand and evaluate your living requirements and preferences before you decide where to stay for good.
The table below shows the recap of the comparison between Edmonton and Winnipeg based on different factors.
