Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from British Columbia to Alberta
British Columbia residents pay significantly less provincial income tax than Albertans for most income levels. At $100,000, BC residents pay $6,549 versus $10,000 in Alberta — BC saves $3,451 per year. However, moving to Alberta means leaving BC's 7% PST behind, saving approximately $2,800 on $40,000 of annual spending. The income tax advantage favours BC below $230,000; above that threshold, Alberta's capped top rate of 15% becomes competitive. For most BC earners considering Alberta, the no-PST benefit is real but does not fully close the income tax gap.
Lower Income Tax
7 progressive brackets from 5.06% to 20.5%
No Provincial Sales Tax
5 progressive brackets from 10% to 15%
At $100,000 income:
BC residents pay $3,451 less in provincial income tax than Alberta at $100,000 income. Moving to Alberta saves on PST (~$2,800/yr) but costs more on income tax for most earners.
| Income | BC Tax | AB Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,584 | $5,000 | -$2,416 | -$24,160 |
| $75,000 | $4,509 | $7,500 | -$2,991 | -$29,910 |
| $100,000 | $6,549 | $10,000 | -$3,451 | -$34,510 |
| $150,000 | $12,907 | $15,035 | -$2,128 | -$21,280 |
| $250,000 | $29,051 | $27,883 | $1,168 | $11,680 |
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Send Money To/From Canada →BC has lower provincial income tax than Alberta for most earners. At $100,000, BC pays $6,549 versus Alberta's $10,000 — BC saves $3,451. This advantage holds all the way up to approximately $230,000, where the crossover occurs and Alberta's 15% cap starts to beat BC's rising top brackets.
The crossover point is around $230,000 of income. Below this level, BC's lower starting rates (5.06% vs Alberta's 10%) give BC a meaningful advantage. Above it, Alberta's top rate caps at 15% while BC continues to 16.8% and ultimately 20.5%, making Alberta cheaper for very high earners.
For most earners, no — on a pure tax basis. At $100,000 income and $40,000 in annual spending, Alberta's no-PST saves approximately $2,800 while you pay $3,451 more in income tax — a net annual loss of $651 in Alberta. You would need to spend over $49,000 per year on taxable goods to fully offset the income tax disadvantage.
Calgary is significantly more affordable for housing. A comparable detached home in Calgary averages $650,000-$800,000 versus $1.5M+ in Vancouver. When combined with Alberta's no-PST, Calgary's overall cost of living is substantially lower than Vancouver despite higher income taxes. For many families, the housing affordability in Calgary outweighs the income tax disadvantage.
BC 2026 provincial brackets: 5.06% up to $47,937; 7.7% up to $95,875; 10.5% up to $110,076; 12.29% up to $133,664; 14.7% up to $181,232; 16.8% up to $252,752; 20.5% above $252,752. Source: BC Ministry of Finance.
It depends on your industry. Alberta's oil, gas and energy sector pays some of the highest wages in Canada — experienced tradespeople and engineers can earn 20-40% more in Alberta than BC for similar roles. However, BC leads in tech (Vancouver is a major hub), film production, and green energy. If your career is in tech or creative industries, BC's job market is stronger.
Yes. Federal income tax rates are identical across all Canadian provinces — both BC and Alberta residents pay the same federal rate on their income. Only the provincial portion differs. This comparison covers only provincial income tax. Federal rates for 2026: 15% up to $57,375; 20.5% up to $114,750; 26% up to $158,519; 29% up to $220,000; 33% above $220,000.