Within Alberta, it’s more expensive to live in some communities than others. Unlike the minimum wage, which is the same across the province, each community has its own living wage rate.
The living wage reflects what people need to earn to cover the actual costs of living in their community. It assumes that each adult is working full time (35 hours/week) and includes more than the basics of food, clothing, and shelter – it also considers unexpected costs, small investments in education, childcare, and participating in the community.