Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Airdrie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Abbotsford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Airdrie.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,079 | $1,095 | -1% |
| Groceries | $346 | $365 | -5% |
| Utilities | $156 | $219 | -29% |
| Transport | $68 | $182 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $109 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,649 | $1,970 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Airdrie offers 6% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$31,234 vs $58,400 in Airdrie.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,589 | $36,938 |
| Salary Needed | $31,234 | $58,400 |
| Household Income | $64,800 | $80,300 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 62.00% | 67.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Airdrie.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Abbotsford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,524 | 92,544 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.30% | 4.34% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 11.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford was ranked as the third most livable city in Canada in March 2026, largely due to its affordability.
The city's population is experiencing a significant growth rate of 3.3% year-over-year as of 2024.
The housing market showed signs of a rebound in early 2026, with increased sales across all property types compared to the previous year.
Townhome sales and benchmark prices increased in May 2026, indicating a strong segment of the housing market.
The Health Care and Social Assistance and Construction sectors have seen an increase in activity.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 10% higher than the Canadian national average.
The Abbotsford-Mission CMA experienced a 7.2% unemployment rate in October 2025.
Approximately 4,900 jobs were lost in the Abbotsford-Mission area between August 2024 and August 2025.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital were raised in late 2023.
Abbotsford received a low ranking for safety in a March 2026 study of Canadian cities.
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#2British Columbia, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,079
Avg Salary
$34,589
Cost Index
110
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.30%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
73
Business
60
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Abbotsford and Airdrie.
Open Cost Calculator