Affordable commuter town east of Calgary in Wheatland County. Population 16,000+. Alberta's $0 land transfer tax is a major advantage for first-time homebuyers.
Get $100 with KOHO — Code 45ET55JSYAStrathmore is a town in Wheatland County, located approximately 40 km east of Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway. It functions primarily as a commuter community for Calgary workers seeking more affordable housing. Agriculture is also important to the local economy, with irrigation-based farming in the surrounding county. Strathmore has experienced steady population growth driven by Calgary's expanding commuter belt.
Strathmore's affordable housing — with many homes in the $380,000–$480,000 range — benefits from Alberta's $0 land transfer tax. On a $420,000 home, Ontario buyers would pay approximately $6,475 in LTT — $0 in Alberta. ATB Financial and chartered banks serve Strathmore. KOHO and EQ Bank are popular digital options for commuters.
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Savings Rate | Sign-up Bonus | Alberta Branch | No-Fee Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQ Bank | $0 | 3.00% | — | Digital only | ✓ |
| KOHO | $0–$19 | — | $100 | Digital only | ✓ |
| ATB Financial | $0–$24.95 | Competitive | Varies | ✓ Alberta only | ✓ |
| Tangerine | $0 | 5.00% promo | Varies | Digital only | ✓ |
| TD Bank | $10.95–$29.95 | 0.01% | Varies | ✓ | Limited |
| RBC Royal Bank | $11.95–$30.00 | 0.01% | Varies | ✓ | Limited |
| Scotiabank | $11.95–$30.95 | 0.01% | Varies | ✓ | Limited |
No monthly fee, 5% cashback on groceries, and a $100 sign-up bonus. Use code 45ET55JSYA at sign-up.