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
18% lower compared to Airdrie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Abbotsford's average rent is
28% lower than Airdrie's.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,324 | $1,840 | -28% |
| Groceries | $446 | $529 | -16% |
| Utilities | $185 | $196 | -6% |
| Transport | $120 | $256 | -53% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,325 | $2,821 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 75 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Airdrie offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Abbotsford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Abbotsford is estimated at
$45,000 vs $64,499 in Airdrie.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $33,790 | $43,126 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $64,499 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,053 idx | 41,072 idx |
| Household Income | $63,306 | $86,525 |
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 | 65.00% | 48.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Airdrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Abbotsford.
Abbotsford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Abbotsford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Airdrie.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Airdrie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,976 | 94,070 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.06% | 4.50% |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.91% | 6.91% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford's crime rates are 35% lower than the British Columbia average.
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 7% lower than the British Columbia average.
Abbotsford was ranked as the third-best city in Canada for livability in a March 2026 study, largely due to its affordability and disposable income.
The city has a strong economic climate and has been recognized as a favorable place to do business.
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is a 300-bed facility offering a wide range of healthcare services.
Drawbacks
Abbotsford's walkability score is low (2/10), meaning most destinations require a car.
A March 2026 study noted Abbotsford's safety ranking was lower compared to other major Canadian cities.
The city scores worse or no better in seven of nine indicators related to the healthy built environment.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital have been raised in recent years.
Household incomes have not kept pace with the rising housing costs, which increased significantly between 2016 and 2021.
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie is experiencing rapid population growth, making it the fastest-growing city in Alberta.
The city has a lower Crime Severity Index (43.2 in 2024) compared to the provincial average (95.6).
Housing in Airdrie is generally more affordable than in nearby Calgary, offering more space for the money.
Residents benefit from a high quality of life, characterized by a friendly atmosphere, excellent amenities, and family-friendly communities.
Airdrie's strategic location provides easy access to Calgary's extensive amenities and major transportation routes.
Drawbacks
Specific crime categories, such as motor vehicle theft and theft under $5,000, saw increases of 20% and 19% respectively in 2025.
Domestic violence incidents in Airdrie increased by eight percent year-over-year in 2025.
Public transit fares have been increasing, with further adjustments expected.
Businesses in Airdrie face challenges due to limited commercial space and rising leasing costs.
Employers report difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled staff, particularly in hospitality, trades, and healthcare sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#3British Columbia, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,324
Avg Salary
$33,790
Cost Index
75
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.06%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
73
Business
68
Airdrie
#1Alberta, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,840
Avg Salary
$43,126
Cost Index
105
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.50%
Unemployment
6.91%
Livability
80
Business
70
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