Families Depart GTA for Alberta Seeking Affordable Living

A significant number of families are leaving the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in search of more affordable living conditions, with over 35,000 families making the move last year, according to data from Environics Analytics. This trend reflects growing frustration over high housing costs and congested living conditions in Ontario’s urban centers.

The plight of families like Jessica Jerome’s illustrates this shift. While sitting in traffic on her daily commute in Mississauga, she realized her family could no longer sustain their lifestyle in the GTA. The exhaustion from long drives to her children’s sports practices and the relentless search for affordable housing pushed her to call her husband with a definitive message: they were done.

In the week following coverage by CTV News, many families shared similar sentiments. Although most relocations remain within Ontario, Alberta emerged as the leading destination outside the province. The statistics underscore this migration, with Statistics Canada reporting a net gain of 12,880 residents in Alberta from interprovincial migration during the first two quarters of 2025, while Ontario experienced a net loss of 11,474 residents during the same period.

Housing Affordability Drives Migration

Alberta’s proactive marketing campaigns targeted regions like Ontario, featuring billboards with messages such as, “What did the Albertan say to the Ontarian? You’re hired,” aiming to attract new residents. Families seeking cheaper real estate and more spacious living conditions, like the Jeromes, have responded positively to these efforts.

For Jessica, age 38, the decision to leave was the culmination of years spent trying to buy a home in the GTA. “No matter how much we saved, it was just not enough to own a home in the GTA,” she explained. The family initially aimed for homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, only to be met with limited options and fierce competition. “I can’t afford a $500,000 to a million dollar home,” she added, highlighting her struggle as a mother of four.

In Mississauga’s busy Square One area, daily life revolved around traffic. “It was like we were in a hamster wheel,” she recalled. The family eventually relocated to Lloydminster, situated on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. They now rent while looking to purchase a home within their budget of $300,000 to $350,000, which allows for more space and comfort.

Jessica noted that while the move has led to a slower pace of life, it came with emotional challenges as well. “You’re losing your support system… it is extremely hard to lose that,” she stated, referring to the distance from her older step-daughters who remain in the GTA. Nonetheless, she affirmed, “We took a deep breath, and we’re like, this was the best decision we ever made.”

Derrilynn Pritchard’s story echoes Jessica’s experience. Originally from England, Pritchard left Mississauga three years ago for Stoney Creek in search of lower rent and a safer environment. “My husband’s truck had been broken into three times… it was the crime that really kicked us,” she explained. Rising costs have now led her to consider Alberta as well, citing its significantly cheaper housing market compared to Ontario.

Comparing Housing Markets: GTA vs Alberta

Current statistics reflect a stark contrast in housing prices. The average price of a home in the GTA recently fell by 3.5 percent year-over-year, settling at $1,114,900 in the third quarter of 2025. A single-family detached home now averages $1,403,800. In comparison, the average benchmark price for a single-family detached home in Calgary is around $744,400, with all housing types averaging $568,000.

Justin Sherwood, COO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), notes that the economic factors driving these migration patterns are predictable. He emphasized that a single-family home in Alberta costs less than half of what it costs to produce in Ontario due to lower government fees and expedited project approvals. In Edmonton, for instance, it takes an average of just two months to approve a new housing project, compared to two years in the GTA.

Sherwood warned that continued out-migration may have lasting implications. “Typically, it’s younger families leaving… we will see an aging of the population,” he stated. CivicAction, in a recent report, described the GTA’s working middle class as “the invisible poor,” highlighting the region’s struggle to retain a workforce that can no longer afford to stay.

Jessica summarized the situation succinctly: “It’s really hard for young people to be able to afford life out there (in the GTA).” For families like hers and others contemplating similar moves, the question has shifted from whether the GTA is home to whether staying is a viable option.

Families affected by these changes are encouraged to share their experiences with CTV News to shed light on the broader impact of rising living costs and housing challenges in the region.