New data from Statistics Canada shows how income levels in Canada have changed in recent years. (Photo: Paulbradyphoto | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta incomes fell slightly from 2018-2022, but prices rose

Apr 26, 2024 | 9:55 AM

Despite the cost of everything going up in recent years, Albertans have struggled to bring in more money.

Statistics Canada has released new data on household incomes for 2022.

Across the country, the median after-tax income of both families and single people was $70,500 in 2022. That is down by 3.4 per cent compared to $73,000 in 2021 but an increase of just 2.8 per cent from 2018 when it was $68,500.

Alberta has consistently had the highest median after-tax income in the country from 2018-2022.

In 2022, Albertan families typically brought in around $82,700 after tax. That amount is largely unchanged from 2021.

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With a household income of $84,300 in 2018, however, Albertans have lost 1.9 per cent over the five-year period.

Although wages have remained stagnant, the cost of living certainly has not.

Statistics Canada reports that the prices of goods and services, between all categories, rose by 14.7 per cent between 2018-2022.

In that time, the cost of energy (including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and other fuel sources) increased by 33.2 per cent.

Food prices rose by 23.9 per cent and shelter (including both owned and rented accommodation) jumped up by 16,4 per cent.

Median after-tax incomes in Canada. (Photo: Statistics Canada)

The full Canadian Income Survey for 2022 is available on the Statistics Canada website. You can check how prices among different categories have changed here.