Moving From Ontario to Alberta: What to Know Before You Go
How taxes, home prices and rent rules compare, what the move costs, and the paperwork to handle once you arrive in Calgary or Edmonton.
Alberta has no provincial sales tax, no land transfer tax and much lower home prices than Ontario. A 2-bedroom move from Toronto to Calgary typically costs $4,330 to $7,530 before tax.
Plan for a 3,400 km trip, a two-hour time change and new health and driver's licence cards once you land.
Key takeaways
- You'll pay 5% GST on most purchases in Alberta, instead of 13% HST in Ontario.
- Alberta has no land transfer tax. In the City of Toronto, a home at the GTA benchmark price carries about $29,650 in land transfer tax.
- Calgary and Edmonton benchmark home prices are $350,900 and $494,500 lower than the GTA.
- Alberta has no rent control. Rent can rise once every 12 months, with three months' notice.
- Register for Alberta health care within three months. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you arrive.
Ontario vs Alberta at a glance
Most people move west for jobs, lower home prices or a lower tax bill. Here's how the two provinces compare on the things that affect your budget most.
| Ontario | Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| Sales tax | 13% HST | 5% GST, no provincial sales tax |
| Land transfer tax | Yes, plus a second municipal tax in Toronto | None, only land title registration fees |
| Lowest provincial income tax rate | 5.05% | 8% |
| Basic personal amount (2026) | $12,989 | $22,769 |
| Benchmark home price (Sept 2026) | $917,600 (GTA) | $566,700 (Calgary), $423,100 (Edmonton) |
| Rent control | Yes, for most units first occupied before Nov 15, 2018 | No |
| Time zone | Eastern | Mountain (2 hours behind) |
Taxes: what changes when you move to Alberta
Sales tax
This is the change you'll notice first. Alberta charges only the 5% federal GST, with no provincial sales tax on top. On a $1,000 purchase, that's $50 in tax instead of $130 in Ontario.
Income tax
Alberta's lowest income tax rate is higher than Ontario's, at 8% compared with 5.05%. But Alberta's basic personal amount is much larger, and Ontario adds a surtax and a health premium.
The result is that most people pay somewhat less income tax in Alberta. The savings are modest at typical incomes and grow sharply at higher ones. Here's combined federal and provincial income tax for a single employee in 2026:
| Employment income | Ontario | Alberta | You save in Alberta |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $6,250 | $5,877 | $373 |
| $75,000 | $12,705 | $12,269 | $436 |
| $100,000 | $20,024 | $19,772 | $252 |
| $150,000 | $39,911 | $36,773 | $3,138 |
Income tax only, for a single employee with no other deductions. Source: WealthNorth, based on CRA 2026 payroll formulas.
Which province taxes you in your moving year
You file your income tax return for the province you lived in on December 31. If you move to Alberta in December, you'll pay Alberta rates on the whole year. If you move in early January, Ontario rates apply to the year before.
If you're moving for a new job, you may also be able to deduct your moving costs. Keep every receipt.
Home prices: how far your money goes
Housing is where the difference is biggest. In September 2026, the benchmark price for a typical home was:
MLS® Home Price Index benchmark, September 2026. Data from TRREB, CREB and the Realtors Association of Edmonton.
No land transfer tax
Ontario charges land transfer tax when you buy a home, and the City of Toronto charges a second one. On a $917,600 home in Toronto, the two together come to about $29,650 before first-time buyer rebates.
Alberta has no land transfer tax. Buyers pay land title and mortgage registration fees instead, which are far smaller.
Selling in Ontario before you go
If you're selling, try to line up your Ontario closing with your Alberta possession date. If there's a gap, you'll need somewhere to live and somewhere to keep your belongings. Storage in transit typically costs $180 to $530 a month, depending on how much you have.
Renting in Alberta: rules that differ from Ontario
If you're renting first, Alberta's rules work differently than what you're used to in Ontario.
- No rent control. There's no limit on how much rent can go up.
- One increase a year. Rent can rise only once every 365 days, and not during a fixed-term lease.
- Three months' notice. On a month-to-month lease, your landlord must give three full months' written notice of an increase.
- Security deposits are allowed. Ontario landlords can usually only collect last month's rent. In Alberta, the deposit can be up to one month's rent and must be returned with interest.
- Inspections are mandatory. Landlords must do move-in and move-out inspection reports. Take part in both and keep a copy.
Before you leave Ontario, give proper notice on your current place. Monthly tenants generally need to give 60 days' written notice.
Cars, insurance and utilities
Car insurance is changing in 2027
Alberta moves to a new "Care-First" auto insurance system on January 1, 2027. Injured drivers will claim through their own insurer no matter who caused the crash, and the right to sue becomes very limited.
The province expects average premiums to fall, but your rate will still depend on your record. Get Alberta quotes before you move so the cost doesn't surprise you.
Your vehicle needs an inspection
Vehicles registered outside Alberta must pass an out-of-province inspection before you can get Alberta plates. It's done at a licensed facility, takes up to about two hours, and you pay for it.
You then have 14 days to take the inspection certificate to a registry agent.
You pick your own utility retailer
Alberta's electricity and natural gas markets are open. You can choose a retailer and plan, or stay on the default rate. Compare a few before you sign a fixed contract.
How much it costs to move from Ontario to Alberta
Most Ontario to Alberta moves start in Toronto and end in Calgary or Edmonton, a trip of about 3,400 km. At that distance, movers price the job as a flat rate based on your inventory, not by the hour. Extras like packing services are quoted on top.
| Home size | Toronto to Calgary | Toronto to Edmonton |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,930–$3,430 | $2,030–$3,430 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,830–$4,930 | $2,930–$4,930 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,330–$7,530 | $4,530–$7,530 |
| 3 bedrooms | $6,230–$10,930 | $6,530–$10,930 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,230–$14,230 | $8,630–$14,230 |
Full-service moves for a spring or fall date, in CAD, before tax. Summer moves often cost 20% to 30% more.
Because tax on a move follows the destination province, a move into Alberta is charged 5% GST, not Ontario's 13% HST. That alone saves about $560 on a $7,000 move.
Estimate your move to Alberta
Full-service, from Toronto.
A ballpark based on 2026 ranges. Your real price depends on your inventory, access and dates.
Get my exact flat rateFor other routes and a full breakdown of fees, see our guide to the cost of moving across Canada.
The trip west: timing, route and weather
How long it takes
Toronto to Calgary is about 33 to 36 hours of driving, so plan on three to four days with overnight stops. Your belongings usually arrive 5 to 14 business days after pickup, depending on the season and whether your load shares a truck.
Pack a kit with everything you'll need until then. Our long distance moving checklist covers what to bring.
Your route
Most drivers take the Trans-Canada Highway through Northern Ontario and the Prairies. Some cut through the U.S. to save time, which means passports for everyone and a border crossing with a loaded car.
Winter driving
Between November and March, Northern Ontario and the Prairies can see heavy snow and long stretches between towns. Use winter tires, keep your tank topped up and leave a buffer day in your plans.
The time change
Alberta is two hours behind Ontario. You gain the hours driving west, but remember the change when you book delivery windows, flights and your first day at a new job.
What to do when you arrive in Alberta
| Task | Deadline | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta health care (AHCIP) | Register within 3 months | Coverage starts on the first day of the third month. Arrive July 12, and you're covered from October 1. Keep using your Ontario card until then. AHCIP details |
| Driver's licence | Within 90 days | Exchange your Ontario licence at any Alberta registry agent. |
| Vehicle registration | After inspection | Pass the out-of-province inspection, then register within 14 days of it. |
| Car insurance | Before you register | You'll need an Alberta policy to register your vehicle. |
| Address changes | Right away | Update the CRA, your bank, your employer and Elections Canada. |
Rules can change. Confirm with Alberta before you move.
Calgary or Edmonton?
Most people moving from Ontario land in one of Alberta's two big cities, and the choice often comes down to work and lifestyle.
Calgary
- Benchmark home price of $566,700
- About 90 minutes from Banff and the Rockies
- Winter chinooks bring warm, dry breaks from the cold
- A 2-bedroom move from Toronto costs $4,330 to $7,530
Edmonton
- Benchmark home price of $423,100
- Alberta's capital, with a large river valley park system
- Colder, longer winters than Calgary
- A 2-bedroom move from Toronto costs $4,530 to $7,530
The two cities are about 300 km apart, so it's easy to visit both before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to move from Ontario to Alberta?
A full-service move from Toronto to Calgary typically costs $2,830 to $4,930 for a 1-bedroom, $4,330 to $7,530 for a 2-bedroom and $6,230 to $10,930 for a 3-bedroom, before tax. Toronto to Edmonton costs about the same.
Is it cheaper to live in Alberta than Ontario?
For most people, yes. Alberta has no provincial sales tax and no land transfer tax, and benchmark home prices in Calgary and Edmonton are hundreds of thousands of dollars lower than in the Greater Toronto Area. Income tax is also somewhat lower at most income levels.
Do you pay less tax in Alberta than Ontario?
Usually. Alberta charges 5% GST instead of 13% HST, and most people pay somewhat less income tax. For a single employee earning $150,000, combined income tax is about $3,138 lower in Alberta in 2026.
When does Alberta health care start after moving from Ontario?
Register for AHCIP within three months of arriving. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency, and you can keep using your Ontario health card during the wait.
How long do I have to change my driver's licence after moving to Alberta?
You have 90 days after becoming an Alberta resident to exchange your Ontario licence at a registry agent.
Do I need an inspection to register my car in Alberta?
Yes. Vehicles registered outside Alberta must pass an out-of-province inspection at a licensed facility before you can get Alberta plates. Take the certificate to a registry agent within 14 days.
How long does it take to drive from Toronto to Calgary?
About 33 to 36 hours of driving, or three to four days with overnight stops. Your belongings usually arrive 5 to 14 business days after pickup.
Does Alberta have rent control?
No. There's no limit on how much rent can go up, but it can only rise once every 365 days, and month-to-month tenants must get three full months' written notice.
Get a flat rate for your move to Alberta
Tell us what you're moving and where. You'll get one written price and a confirmed delivery window, with 5% GST, not 13% HST.
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