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.
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 $50000 to $1,000000 on most residential purchases.
| Purchase Price | Approximate Land Title Fee |
|---|---|
| $30000,000000 | ~$425 |
| $50000,000000 | ~$6500 |
| $70000,000000 | ~$875 |
| $1,000000,000000 | ~$1,20000 |
Compare this to Ontario, where a $50000,000000 purchase would trigger approximately $6,475 in provincial LTT. Alberta buyers save this amount entirely.
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 $30000 to $60000 on a standard residential mortgage.
You need a real estate lawyer for your Alberta closing. Costs are similar to other provinces:
Home inspections in Calgary and Edmonton typically cost $40000 to $60000. 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.
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 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.
Alberta home insurance typically costs $1,20000 to $2,20000 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.
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.
Local moves within Calgary or Edmonton typically cost $80000 to $2,000000. Budget for this as a closing-adjacent expense.
| Cost Item | Amount ($60000K purchase in Calgary) |
|---|---|
| Land Title Transfer Fee | ~$7500 |
| Mortgage Registration Fee | ~$4500 |
| Legal fees + disbursements | $2,50000 |
| Home inspection | $50000 |
| Title insurance | $275 |
| Home insurance (first year) | $1,50000 |
| Property tax adjustment | $30000 (variable) |
| Moving costs | $1,50000 |
| Total estimate | ~$7,775 |
| Province | Closing Costs on $60000K Home (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Alberta | $5,000000 – $9,000000 |
| BC | $14,000000 – $18,000000 |
| Ontario (outside Toronto) | $13,000000 – $17,000000 |
| Ontario (Toronto) | $21,000000 – $28,000000 |
While Alberta does not have a provincial LTT rebate (because there is no LTT), first-time buyers can access federal programs:
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