Cost of Living Comparison Between Edmonton and Alton, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Edmonton and Alton, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,173 per month in Edmonton vs $2,015 in Alton, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,239 per month in Edmonton vs $2,960 in Alton, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,304 per month in Edmonton vs $3,905 in Alton, IL, rent included.

Edmonton costs about 8% more than Alton, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Edmonton and Alton, IL sit above the global median – Edmonton by 58%, Alton, IL by 47%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.07 CA$25.00
$14.87 $14.87
21.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.0 CA$108
$55.6 $55.6
40.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.23 CA$14.16
$8.17 $8.17
25.21%
Cappuccino
$3.89 CA$5.38
$4.72 $4.72
-17.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 CA$3.22
$1.41 $1.41
65.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 CA$2.73
$1.09 $1.09
80.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.87 CA$8.12
$3.92 $3.92
49.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.57 CA$9.09
$4.87 $4.87
34.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.66 CA$2.30
$0.87 $0.87
90.80%
White Bread (500g)
$2.23 CA$3.08
$2.39 $2.39
-6.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.96 CA$4.09
$3.11 $3.11
-4.82%
Eggs
$3.60 CA$4.98
$3.79 $3.79
-5.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.13 CA$15.40
$12.21 $12.21
-8.85%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.39 CA$15.75
$10.10 $10.10
12.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.61 CA$25.74
$17.76 $17.76
4.79%
Apples (1kg)
$4.44 CA$6.15
$4.28 $4.28
3.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 CA$1.90
$1.20 $1.20
14.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.27 CA$5.91
$4.95 $4.95
-13.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.07 CA$5.63
$4.86 $4.86
-16.26%
Potato (1kg)
$2.24 CA$3.10
$2.23 $2.23
0.45%
Onion (1kg)
$1.97 CA$2.73
$2.83 $2.83
-30.39%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.45 CA$3.39
$2.03 $2.03
20.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 CA$2.54
$4.09 $4.09
-55.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.71 CA$20.35
$11.00 $11.00
33.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.61 CA$16.07
$12.93 $12.93
-10.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.51 CA$4.86
$2.06 $2.06
70.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 CA$4.03
$4.38 $4.38
-33.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.76 CA$3.82
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$73.6 CA$102
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.92 CA$4.05
$4.45 $4.45
-34.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.40 CA$1.94
$2.93 $2.93
-52.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.29 CA$29.46
$17.75 $17.75
19.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 CA$1.64
$1.02 $1.02
15.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.0K CA$40.1K
$28.3K $28.3K
2.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K CA$28.1K
$26.8K $26.8K
-24.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 CA$317
$438 $438
-47.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.12 CA$55.5
$44.51 $44.51
-9.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.9 CA$77.4
$64.8 $64.8
-13.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.17 CA$65.3
$27.22 $27.22
73.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.45 CA$25.53
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.93 CA$17.89
$14.52 $14.52
-10.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$782 CA$1,082
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,665 CA$13.4K
$12.8K $12.8K
-24.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.40 CA$62.8
$39.35 $39.35
15.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.92 CA$64.9
$33.24 $33.24
41.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.2 CA$117
$63.8 $63.8
31.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.2 CA$134
$74.8 $74.8
29.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,126 CA$1,558
$749 $749
50.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$919 CA$1,271
$641 $641
43.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,733 CA$2,397
$1,118 $1,118
54.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,437 CA$1,989
$1,309 $1,309
9.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,294 CA$3,174
$1,562 $1,562
46.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,128 CA$2,945
$1,453 $1,453
46.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Edmonton
Alton, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,730 CA$5,161
$3,799 $3,799
-1.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.32
6
-28.00%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Edmonton: August 31, 2026

Last update for Alton, IL: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,126 in Edmonton versus $749 in Alton, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 2% higher in Alton, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $78.0 in Edmonton versus $56.0 in Alton, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $368 in Edmonton vs $388 in Alton, IL – so Edmonton wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Edmonton vs Alton, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Edmonton or Alton, IL?
Edmonton costs about 8% more than Alton, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Edmonton and in Alton, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,259 per month in Edmonton and $3,023 in Alton, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Edmonton or Alton, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Alton, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Edmonton compared to Alton, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,173 in Edmonton and $2,015 in Alton, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Edmonton or in Alton, IL?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Edmonton – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Edmonton or in Alton, IL?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Alton, IL, where all-in costs run around $2,015, than in Edmonton at $2,173. In Alton, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Edmonton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Alton, IL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Edmonton compared to Alton, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Edmonton or to Alton, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Alton, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Edmonton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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