Interested in what the lower-paid portion of Edmonton’s workforce earns? Today, we’ll give you an overview of Edmonton’s poverty threshold, living wage, and the benefits a low-income earner can receive.
- What is considered low income in Edmonton?
- What is the poverty threshold in Edmonton, Alberta?
- What benefits or financial assistance can a low-income earner receive in Edmonton, Alberta?
- How much is the average living wage in Edmonton, Alberta?
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Edmonton, Alberta?
What is considered low income in Edmonton?
According to Edmonton Community Foundation, a single individual in Edmonton, Alberta, earning less than $21,481 a year is considered a low-income earner.
On the other hand, a household with an accumulated income of less than 50% of the median household income or below $40,614 a year is considered a low-income household.
What is the poverty threshold in Edmonton, Alberta?
The poverty threshold in Edmonton, Alberta is $22,060 for a single person. It becomes $26,849 for a two-person family and $41,710 for a four-person family.
For more estimates based on the number of persons in the family, here are the poverty thresholds in Edmonton based on Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-off (LICO) in 2020.
Note that LICO (after tax) is the income threshold below the amount a person/family must allot to the average costs of living, which includes food, shelter, clothing, and other necessary expenses.
According to Edmonton Community Foundation, at least 1 out of 10 or 119,950 people in the city are experiencing poverty. It means that 11.9% of residents in the city earn $15 per hour (minimum wage) or less.
This is evidently lower than the average living wage, which is $21.40 per hour.
For example, if you’re a deck builder earning a minimum wage and working full time (or around 37.5 hours per week), you can only earn around $562.5 per week.
What benefits or financial assistance can a low-income earner receive in Edmonton, Alberta?
Low-income earners and families in Edmonton, Alberta, can receive a number of benefits and subsidies from the government. Here are some of them.
How much is the average living wage in Edmonton, Alberta?
The average living wage in Edmonton in 2022 is $21.40 per hour, based on the Alberta Living Wage Network‘s report. This is the hourly pay rate that allows a person to have a higher standard of living than the typical poverty threshold in Edmonton.
Unfortunately, the current livable wage in the city is nowhere near close to the current minimum wage ($15 per hour) implemented throughout the province.
Note that the living wage estimated by the Alberta Living Wage Network includes basic living costs, taxes, child care, education, and other unexpected costs. Besides that, the living wage can vary across the communities in Edmonton.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Edmonton, Alberta?
To live comfortably in Edmonton, you currently need around $2,778.85 per month or at least $33,346.2 per year. This is based on monthly costs that include $931 for rent per month.
The table below shows the estimated expenses of a single individual living comfortably in Edmonton. Aside from the basic living expenses, we also included costs for entertainment, health and fitness, savings, and debt payment.
Of course, this is just an estimate, and it can still go higher or lower depending on your living requirements and preferences.