Banff's First Living Wage Study Reveals What It Costs to Make Ends Meet

Workers in Banff need to earn $27.45 an hour to cover basic living expenses, according to the town's first-ever living wage study.

The 2026 Banff Living Wage Study, released in November by Healthy Bow Valley, establishes a local benchmark for the income residents need to afford housing, food, transportation, childcare and other necessities.

At $27.45 an hour, Banff's living wage is $12.45 higher than Alberta's $15 minimum wage, a difference of 83 per cent.

The findings come as Bow Valley businesses continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining employees, with housing costs and affordability frequently identified as major barriers.

Unlike minimum wage, which is legally required, a living wage is a voluntary benchmark reflecting the income needed to maintain a modest standard of living in a particular community.

What Does It Cost to Live in Banff?

Healthy Bow Valley calculated living wages for three household types using the Alberta Living Wage Network's methodology.

The study found that a single adult without children needs to earn $24.29 an hour, while a two-parent family with two young children requires each working adult to earn approximately $27.26 an hour.

The highest living wage applies to a lone parent with one child, who would need to earn $39.95 an hour to cover household expenses.

The calculations assume each adult works 35 hours per week throughout the year and rents their home.

According to the report, annual basic living expenses are estimated at $38,606 for a single adult, $66,917 for a lone-parent household and $94,263 for a family of four.

Housing represents a significant portion of those expenses.

For a single adult, the study estimates annual shelter costs of $22,012, or approximately $1,834 per month. For a family of four, shelter costs rise to $27,896 annually.

The calculation also considers Banff-specific affordability measures, including free local Roam transit for residents, recreation supports, community food programs and local discounts.

These supports help reduce some household expenses, although the report acknowledges they do not eliminate the need for adequate wages.

Why Banff Needed Its Own Living Wage

The findings follow nearly two years of groundwork led by Healthy Bow Valley, a local public health initiative focused on the conditions affecting residents' health and well-being.

Bow Valley Insider recently reported on the upcoming calculation, including interviews with Dr. Vamini Selvanandan, Healthy Bow Valley's physician lead.

"Income is really that foundational piece that then goes on to affect housing and food security and transportation and child care," Selvanandan told BVI at the time.

She explained that financial strain can contribute to physical and mental health challenges, particularly when residents struggle to afford nutritious food, adequate housing or other necessities.

"A lot of Bow Valley residents come seeking medical care for problems that have their origins in social problems… In a lot of these - housing, food security, child care - they all have to be built on a base of adequate income."

The calculation involved local employers, workers' representatives, community organizations and municipal representatives.

Contributors included Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, Basecamp Resorts, CUPE 4318, the Town of Banff and the MD of Bighorn.

How Does Banff Compare to Other Mountain Communities?

Banff's first living wage calculation is lower than the most recently reported figures for both Canmore and Jasper.

In 2023, Canmore's living wage was calculated at $38.80 an hour, while Jasper's 2025 living wage was $31.80.

However, the figures were calculated in different years and should not be treated as direct comparisons.

Healthy Bow Valley acknowledges that it cannot fully explain the differences because it was not involved in the earlier calculations for Canmore or Jasper.

The Banff study incorporates local programs and benefits that may help reduce living expenses, alongside community-specific information about housing, childcare and transportation.

What Does This Mean for Banff Employers?

The study provides a new benchmark for businesses reviewing employee wages, benefits and total compensation.

Healthy Bow Valley says paying a living wage could help employers improve recruitment and retention while reducing costs associated with employee turnover.

However, certification is voluntary, and employers are not legally required to meet the new benchmark.

Certification also considers more than hourly wages. Eligible compensation can include tips, subsidized staff accommodation, meals, transportation supports and certain employee benefits.

Some Banff employers have already taken steps toward paying a living wage.

Jesse Kitteridge, founder of Moraine Lake Bus Company, said his business had paid a living wage since it began operating four years earlier.

In a recent presentation held by Healthy Bow Valley, Kitteridge shared that his employees started at approximately $33 an hour and generally earned closer to $43 an hour when bonuses were included.

"Somewhat selfishly, my business does better, and I am much happier when I invest in my employees," Kitteridge said.

His experience offers one example of how businesses are approaching employee compensation in Banff's competitive labour market.

What Happens Next?

Healthy Bow Valley says it will continue working with the Alberta Living Wage Network, local employers, community organizations and governments to encourage the use of the calculation.

Employers can use the findings to review wages and benefits, explore living wage certification or develop plans to gradually close compensation gaps.

The report also suggests the Town of Banff could use the data to inform decisions about housing, childcare, transportation and other affordability programs.

It identifies lone-parent families as facing particularly high living costs and suggests additional municipal supports could help reduce their financial burden.

For employers interested in certification, the Alberta Living Wage Network offers an assessment of wages and eligible benefits.

As Selvanandan told BVI in September, calculating the living wage was only the first step.

"Once we get the calculation, then that's the beginning of the action… What are the actions that each of us can take to make sure that a living wage becomes a reality in Banff?"