Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Closing Costs in Alberta: What to Expect When Buying a Home

No fee everyday banking

Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.

See how it works

Alberta is one of the most buyer-friendly provinces in Canada when it comes to closing costs. Unlike Ontario, BC, and Quebec, Alberta has no provincial land transfer tax. This alone saves buyers thousands of dollars compared to other provinces. Here is a complete breakdown of what you will actually pay.

Budget estimate: Alberta buyers typically pay 00.5% to 1.5% of the purchase price in closing costs — roughly half or less of what buyers pay in Ontario or BC. On a $500,000 home, expect $2,500 to $7,500 in closing costs.

No Land Transfer Tax: Alberta's Big Advantage

Alberta does not charge a land transfer tax. Instead, you pay a much smaller Land Title Transfer Fee to the province to register the title change. This fee is calculated on a sliding scale and typically runs $500 to $1,000 on most residential purchases.

Purchase PriceApproximate Land Title Fee
$300,000~$425
$500,000~$650
$700,000~$875
$1,000,000~$1,200

Compare this to Ontario, where a $500,000 purchase would trigger approximately $6,475 in provincial LTT. Alberta buyers save this amount entirely.

Mortgage Registration Fee

Alberta also charges a separate fee to register your mortgage at the land titles office. This fee is calculated on the mortgage amount and typically runs $300 to $600 on a standard residential mortgage.

Legal Fees

You need a real estate lawyer for your Alberta closing. Costs are similar to other provinces:

Home Inspection

Home inspections in Calgary and Edmonton typically cost $400 to $600. Rural properties or larger homes may cost more. The inspection is one of the most valuable things you can do — Alberta's climate puts real stress on building components, especially foundations, roofs, and heating systems.

CMHC Insurance and Alberta

If your down payment is less than 200%, you need mortgage default insurance. Unlike Ontario and Quebec, Alberta does not charge provincial sales tax on the CMHC premium, which means buyers here save that additional cost at closing. The premium itself (2.8% to 4% of the mortgage) is still added to your mortgage.

Property Tax Adjustment

Property taxes in Alberta are paid to the municipality. At closing, your lawyer will adjust based on what has been paid versus what is owed. Depending on your closing date, you may owe or receive a credit of several hundred dollars.

Home Insurance

Alberta home insurance typically costs $1,200 to $2,200 per year for a detached home in Calgary or Edmonton. Premiums vary based on location, home age, and coverage. Your lender requires proof of insurance on your closing date, so arrange this in advance.

Condo Reserve Fund Contribution

If you are buying a condo in Alberta, some buildings require new owners to make a contribution to the reserve fund on closing. This varies by building — check the condo documents carefully with your lawyer.

Moving Costs

Local moves within Calgary or Edmonton typically cost $800 to $2,000. Budget for this as a closing-adjacent expense.

Complete Closing Cost Example: Alberta

Cost ItemAmount ($600K purchase in Calgary)
Land Title Transfer Fee~$750
Mortgage Registration Fee~$450
Legal fees + disbursements$2,500
Home inspection$500
Title insurance$275
Home insurance (first year)$1,500
Property tax adjustment$300 (variable)
Moving costs$1,500
Total estimate~$7,775

How Alberta Compares to Other Provinces

ProvinceClosing Costs on $600K Home (Approx)
Alberta$5,000 – $9,000
BC$14,000 – $18,000
Ontario (outside Toronto)$13,000 – $17,000
Ontario (Toronto)$21,000 – $28,000

First-Time Buyer Programs in Alberta

While Alberta does not have a provincial LTT rebate (because there is no LTT), first-time buyers can access federal programs:

Free Banking While You House Hunt

KOHO offers free banking with no monthly fees. Save every dollar for your down payment and closing costs. Use code BREMO2026 for a bonus.

Open KOHO Free — No Fees — Code BREMO2026