Cost of living in Lethbridge compared to Alberta’s 23 largest municipalities

Ahead of the June 30 property tax deadline, Lethbridge residents may be questioning how their dollar stacks up versus other communities across the province.

The City’s latest cost of living comparison looks at Alberta’s 23 largest municipalities for:

• Annual property tax on median value single-family home
• Median cost of a single-family home
• Annual residential combined utility charges

All the data cited in the first two charts has been compiled from provincially reported municipal data and publicly available municipal tax rates. 

Is it true that Lethbridge has the highest property taxes in Alberta?

No.

• This chart shows annual property taxes comparing median value single-family homes in Alberta’s 23 largest municipalities
• The chart’s numbers for each municipality include Municipal Property Tax, the Provincial Education Property Tax, as well as other requisitions, which in Lethbridge is the Green Acres Foundation Tax
• Lethbridge’s median tax on a single-family home is $4,190.38, while Alberta’s highest median is $5,638.03
• The median represents the middle value in the set of numbers arranged from lowest to highest, offering a more accurate snapshot than the average

But my house costs more than in elsewhere in the province, correct?

No.

• This chart shows the median cost of a single-family home in Alberta’s 23 largest municipalities
• Lethbridge’s median assessment on a single-family home is $399,000, while Alberta’s highest median is more than $1.1 million
• Lethbridge house prices stay very consistent and are lower than most other municipalities. This means both mortgages and property taxes will generally be lower compared to a similar home in other cities. This is thanks to thoughtful planning and land development, as well as a stable economy that protects us against the boom and bust that other communities might experience

Is it true that utilities are less expensive in Lethbridge?

Yes.

• A 2026 report compared the residential utility rates in Lethbridge with municipalities in Alberta in terms of costs for electricity, water, wastewater and waste services. Data provided within this report and chart was collected using the bylaws and utility rates posted for each municipality/utility provider by February 2026
• Overall, the City of Lethbridge continues to have some of the lowest combined utility costs among Alberta municipalities. The combination of these factors continues to make the cost of living in Lethbridge very attractive

How do the service levels compare to other cities?

• The City of Lethbridge offers more services and has higher service levels than many other cities
• Consistent with the 2022 Community Satisfaction Survey, the 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey showed that 90 per cent of Lethbridge residents say they have a good or very good quality of life. This places Lethbridge above the Alberta municipal benchmark of 81 per cent and highlights a stronger sense of satisfaction locally than across the province
• Satisfaction with the services provided also remained high in the 2025 survey results

Where can I find more information on taxes in Lethbridge?

• Explaining property tax, assessment changes for 2026
• Updated Taxes 101 video
• View your property tax history at Lethbridge.ca/MyCity
• A further breakdown of services and tax support is detailed in the 2026 tax brochure
• Comprehensive information on property taxes

The one-page graphic also includes a chart showing the annual municipal tax increases for the past 20 years. With zero per cent increases in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the average increase for the last eight years (2019-2026, the last two Operating Budget cycles) is 2.8 per cent per year.

On June 10-11, Council will deliberate for the 2027 Operating Budget – planned to be a stub year added to the existing four-year timeline. In late 2027, City Council will deliberate on a four-year Operating Budget for 2028-2031.