Winnipeg, MB – According to new figures released by the City of Calgary in its 2026 budget, Winnipeg has the lowest municipal property taxes among major cities in Canada.
Calgary’s benchmarking analysis compared median household tax bills, municipal property tax per capita, and municipal spending across major Canadian cities. It found that Winnipeggers pay less than households in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa — both in taxes and as a share of household income
“This independent analysis from Calgary reinforces what we’ve been saying for some time — Winnipeg remains one of the most affordable big cities in the country,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “When you look at what people actually pay in municipal taxes, Winnipeggers get good value for their dollar.”
The Calgary report found that:
- Winnipeggers pay almost 40% less per person on municipal property taxes than the average of other major cities – $661 vs. $1,069.
- The median Winnipeg household pays an average of $2,128 in municipal property taxes, the lowest of all major cities reviewed.
- Municipal property taxes in Winnipeg account for roughly 2.7% of median household income, the lowest of all major cities reviewed.
The report also noted that Winnipeg’s average monthly utility costs — including water, wastewater, and garbage — remain below the average of the six cities reviewed.
“The numbers don’t lie — Winnipeg continues to deliver city services at a much lower cost than other major cities,” said Councillor Jeff Browaty, Chairperson of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance. “Winnipeggers are getting strong value for money, and we’re balancing affordability with the need to invest in infrastructure and services.”
Calgary’s benchmarking also found that Winnipeg’s operating expenditures per person are among the lowest in Canada at $2,463 per capita, compared to $3,209 in Edmonton, $3,302 in Calgary, $4,107 in Vancouver, $4,324 in Ottawa, and $4,945 in Toronto.
Gillingham said maintaining Winnipeg’s affordability advantage remains a top priority.
“As our city continues to grow, we need to keep investing in infrastructure to match and support that growth, while keeping Winnipeg an affordable place to live and raise a family,” he said.
The City of Winnipeg will release its Preliminary 2026 Update to the 2024-27 Multi-Year Balanced Budget on November 14th.
Read more — City of Calgary 2026 Budget (see pages 17-20)