$100k take-home
Alberta $74,459 vs British Columbia $75,373
All comparisons
Tax year 2026 · Single filer at $100k
Alberta vs 
British Columbia
Take-home pay after federal tax, provincial income tax, and CPP/EI — plus how to read the $100k gap, sales/property context, and what to check before relocating between Alberta and British Columbia.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Winner at $100k
British Columbia
Extra take-home / year
$914
Per month
$76
Over 10 years
$9,140
Moving from Alberta → British Columbia at $100,000
Metric vs metric
Lower tax and cost figures generally favor the highlighted cell. Rate structure notes sit under each province's calculator link.
| Metric | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial income tax | 15% · Progressive (top 15%) | 20.50% · Progressive (top 20.50%) |
| GST/HST/PST | 5% | 12% |
| Effective property tax | ~0.93% | ~0.93% |
| Cost of living index | 95 | 118 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.2% |
Dig into each province's paycheck
Alberta rate structure
Progressive brackets with a top marginal rate of about 15%.
British Columbia rate structure
Progressive brackets with a top marginal rate of about 20.50%.
Overview
Alberta (Progressive (top 15%)) vs British Columbia (Progressive (top 20.50%)). At $100,000 gross (single), British Columbia typically leaves you with about $914 more take-home than Alberta after federal, provincial, and CPP/EI. GST/HST/PST 5% vs 12%; property tax ~0.93% vs ~0.93%. Cost of living index: 95 vs 118 (100 = Canada average).
Take-home by income
Net pay after federal income tax, provincial income tax, and CPP/EI — single filer, basic personal amount, no dependents (2026). Advantage is take-home in British Columbia minus Alberta.
| Gross | Alberta take-home | British Columbia take-home | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,541 | $40,574 | +$33 |
| $75,000 | $57,362 | $57,711 | +$349 |
| $100,000Headline | $74,459 | $75,373 | +$914 |
| $150,000 | $107,458 | $107,377 | −$81 |
| $200,000 | $137,854 | $136,274 | −$1,580 |
| $500,000 | $298,255 | $280,450 | −$17,805 |
Assumptions: single filer, basic personal amount, no dependents, tax year 2026. At $100k: CPP/EI ≈ $5,770 in both provinces; effective total tax rate ≈ 25.5% in Alberta vs 24.6% in British Columbia. Local city/regional taxes are not included unless noted.
$100k tax breakdown: Alberta vs British Columbia
Where a $100,000 paycheck goes after federal income tax, provincial income tax, and CPP/EI (2026, single filer).
| Line item | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Federal income tax (est.) | $13,302 | $13,301 |
| Provincial income tax | $6,470 | $5,556 |
| CPP/EI | $5,770 | $5,770 |
| Take-home pay | $74,459 | $75,373 |
| Effective total tax rate | 25.5% | 24.6% |
| Monthly take-home | $6,205 | $6,281 |
Federal estimates can differ slightly between provinces when provincial interactions affect taxable income (e.g., Quebec abatement). GST/HST/PST 5% (Alberta) vs 12% (British Columbia); effective property tax ~0.93% vs ~0.93%.
Pros & cons: Alberta vs British Columbia
Tax structure, living costs, and lifestyle trade-offs beyond the paycheck number.
Alberta
Pros
- Lower top provincial rate (Progressive (top 15%)) than British Columbia (Progressive (top 20.50%))
- Lower combined sales tax (5% vs 12% in British Columbia)
- Lower cost of living index (95 vs 118; 100 = Canada average)
- Lower unemployment rate (4.8% vs 5.2%)
Cons
- −Roughly $914/year less take-home at $100k vs British Columbia
- −Local city/regional taxes and credits are not fully modeled in the headline ladder
- −Housing, insurance, and wages can outweigh pure income-tax differences
British Columbia
Pros
- About $914/year more take-home at $100k gross (single) vs Alberta
- Modeled with our 2026 federal + provincial + CPP/EI paycheck engine
- Use the British Columbia paycheck calculator for your filing status and deductions
Cons
- −Higher top provincial rate (Progressive (top 20.50%)) vs Alberta (Progressive (top 15%))
- −Higher combined sales tax (12% vs 5% in Alberta)
- −Higher cost of living index (118 vs 95; 100 = Canada average)
- −Higher unemployment rate (5.2% vs 4.8%)
Who wins when
Quick read on when each province is the better fit — beyond the headline tax number.
- British Columbia wins on take-home pay at every salary band in our ladder (single filer, basic personal amount).
- Alberta: Lower top provincial rate (Progressive (top 15%)) than British Columbia (Progressive (top 20.50%))
- Alberta: Lower combined sales tax (5% vs 12% in British Columbia)
- British Columbia: About $914/year more take-home at $100k gross (single) vs Alberta
- British Columbia: Modeled with our 2026 federal + provincial + CPP/EI paycheck engine
How we calculate Alberta vs British Columbia
Tax engine. Federal income tax uses 2026 CRA brackets and the basic personal amount for a single filer. CPP/EI includes employee shares (QPP for Quebec where applicable). Provincial income tax applies Alberta's and British Columbia's rules as modeled in our Canada calculator (Progressive (top 15%) vs Progressive (top 20.50%)).
What's included. Employment income only — no capital gains, self-employment tax, itemized deductions, credits beyond basic personal amount, or municipal taxes unless noted. Sales tax (GST/HST/PST 5% vs 12%) and property tax (~0.93% vs ~0.93%) are context metrics, not subtracted from the take-home ladder.
Cost of living. COL indexes (95 vs 118, 100 = Canada average) help interpret whether a paycheck win buys more in real life. For city-level equivalent salary, use the relocation calculator.
Planning guide
How to read the Alberta vs British Columbia tax comparison
At $100,000 gross in 2026, British Columbia leaves about $914 more take-home per year in this single-filer model. Use the income ladder and sales/property metrics before treating that gap as a relocation decision.
Annual advantage
$914/yr more in British Columbia
GST/HST/PST
5% vs 12%
Property tax
~0.93% vs ~0.93%
Before you use this Alberta vs British Columbia paycheck gap
Confirm tax residence
Provincial tax follows where you are resident—update payroll and health coverage when you move.
Personalize filing status
Married, dependents, and RRSP contributions can change the gap versus this single-filer scoreboard.
Separate take-home from COL
COL indexes: Alberta 95 vs British Columbia 118 (100 = Canada average).
Check sales & property tax
Income-tax savings can be offset by higher GST/HST/PST or property tax after you get paid.
Federal tax still applies in Alberta and British Columbia
Federal brackets and CPP/EI (or QPP in Quebec) remain part of every paycheck. This duel isolates provincial differences at the same gross; Quebec pairs also reflect the federal abatement where applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Alberta vs British Columbia taxes, take-home pay, and relocation.
At $100,000 gross (single, basic personal amount, no dependents), estimated take-home is $74,459 in Alberta vs $75,373 in British Columbia — about $914/year more in British Columbia (≈ $76/month, $9,140 over 10 years). Provincial income tax alone is $6,470 vs $5,556. Actual savings depend on filing status, deductions, credits, and housing costs.
Alberta: Progressive (top 15%) — Progressive brackets with a top marginal rate of about 15%. British Columbia: Progressive (top 20.50%) — Progressive brackets with a top marginal rate of about 20.50%. British Columbia has the lower provincial income tax burden at typical employment income levels (about $914 less provincial tax at $100k in this model). Federal income tax and CPP/EI apply in both provinces.
Combined GST/HST/PST is 5% in Alberta and 12% in British Columbia. Effective property tax rates are roughly 0.93% vs 0.93% of home value. Income-tax savings can be offset (or amplified) by these taxes depending on housing and spending — model both with our relocation calculator.
Remote workers who can choose residence often prioritize provincial income tax. Compare take-home in the income ladder, then factor cost of living (Alberta COL index 95 vs British Columbia 118, 100 = Canada average) and unemployment (4.8% vs 5.2%). Use our paycheck calculator for your exact salary and filing status.
Cost of living indexes: Alberta 95 vs British Columbia 118 (100 = Canada average). Unemployment: 4.8% vs 5.2%. A paycheck win can be erased by higher rents or home prices — check city-level COL on our relocation tool.
Yes. Figures use our 2026 federal brackets, CPP/EI maximums, and Alberta/British Columbia provincial income tax rules as modeled in our Canada tax engine. Assumptions: single filer, basic personal amount, no dependents, no itemized deductions or credits beyond the engine defaults. Tax laws change — verify with CRA or your provincial tax authority before relocating.
No. Federal income tax and CPP/EI (or QPP in Quebec) still apply. The gap on this page is driven mainly by provincial income tax differences at the same gross salary.
The ladder shows take-home from $50,000 to $500,000 using the same single-filer assumptions. If you earn near a higher bracket, compare the row closest to your salary—progressive provinces often show a wider gap at $150k–$500k than at $50k.
No. Take-home is after income and payroll taxes only. GST/HST/PST (5% vs 12%) and property tax (~0.93% vs ~0.93%) are shown for spending and housing context after you get paid.
Open the Canada paycheck calculator (or each province’s calculator) to model filing status, dependents, RRSP contributions, and other inputs. Related links also include the all-province take-home table.
Moving Alberta → British Columbia?
Model cost-of-living equivalent salary, or open each province's paycheck calculator with your filing status and deductions.
Estimates only for tax year 2026. Not tax advice — verify with CRA or your provincial tax authority before relocating. Figures assume a single filer with the basic personal amount and no dependents.