Edmonton vs Calgary: Population & Income Compared

Alberta's two largest cities are frequent peers in labour-market and housing debates. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

Edmonton counted 1,010,899 residents in 2021, compared with Calgary at 1,306,784. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. Edmonton's population rose 8.3% from 2016 to 2021, while Calgary grew 5.5% over the same period.

In short: Calgary leads on municipal population; Edmonton grew faster during the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Calgary households sat at $85,000 (median after tax), versus $79,500 in Edmonton. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 38.4 years in Edmonton and 38.8 in Calgary. Edmonton's younger profile contrasts with Calgary in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): Edmonton 1,010,899 · Calgary 1,306,784
• Growth 2016–2021: Edmonton 8.3% · Calgary 5.5%
• Median HH income (after tax): Edmonton $79,500 · Calgary $85,000
• Average age: Edmonton 38.4 · Calgary 38.8

Calgary remains larger with higher median household income; Edmonton posted stronger 2016–2021 growth and a slightly younger average age — all from the same 2021 data release.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• Edmonton demographic profile
• Calgary demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then Edmonton and Calgary