Why Interprovincial Migration Is Fueling Cochrane’s Rapid Growth
- Lindsay Holden
- May 5
- 5 min read
Updated: May 9
Across Canada, people are packing up and relocating to new communities outside their home province in search of a new life and larger homes for less.
Especially for those in the Vancouver or Toronto area, the move is driven by the unaffordable cost of living.
The exhausting pace of life is made worse by traffic and long working hours to pay for basic expenses such as housing.
Alberta Is Leading the Nation in Migration Gains
One destination that offers relief is Calgary and nearby Cochrane.
Alberta led all Canadian provinces in net interprovincial migration last year, gaining 43,750 people between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, according to Statistics Canada. This marks the third consecutive year that Alberta has led in net interprovincial migration.
Meanwhile, provinces like Ontario and B.C. experienced an exodus of locals, which Alberta welcomed as newcomers.
Why Is Alberta Drawing So Many People?
Affordability, a strong job market, and fewer taxes make Alberta increasingly attractive to Canadians seeking a financial reset, says one town's spokesperson.
“There’s no question Alberta continues to see strong migration from other provinces,” says Kristin Huybrecht, manager of corporate communications for the Town of Cochrane. “People are looking for communities that offer affordability, opportunity, and a better quality of life—and many of them are finding that here.”
Alberta was the destination of choice for movers, with the province’s two major cities recording their highest net gains in over twenty years. The CMA of Calgary, which includes surrounding areas such as Cochrane, added 20,859 people from other provinces from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2024, according to Statistics Canada.
Edmonton saw a 13,893 gain. Elsewhere in Canada, net interprovincial migration was negative for the Vancouver CMA for the first time since 2013, witnessing 5,709 people pull up stakes last year.
The CMA of Toronto also recorded net losses from exchanges with other provinces, with 9,819 people leaving in 2024.
Montréal also saw 6,667 locals leave in search of a new address.
Why Cochrane? A Small Town with Big Appeal
Among Alberta’s many cities and towns, Cochrane is a standout. Since 2016, the town has grown by 43%.
“Cochrane continues to have a very strong growth rate,” Huybrecht says. “Nearly 5,000 new residents have joined our community between 2021 and 2024.”
The 2024 municipal census recorded a population of 37,011, the Town of Cochrane’s census data showed.
While the town doesn’t actively track where newcomers are coming from, Huybrecht observes the migration patterns as clear: “We know Cochrane is a community of choice, and many of the people choosing it are coming from other provinces.”
What Do People Love About Cochrane?
People working on the front lines of real estate observe that a greater portion of their homebuying customers come from other provinces. Their decision to move is more than a matter of economics.
"Approximately 30% of my clientele are from out of province, with an even split between Ontario and BC. In many cases, I'm seeing young families or couples who are fed up with the high cost of living in those areas, the lack of services and amenities for their growing families, and issues with safety," says Celeste Anderson Monk, area sales manager with Prominent Homes, in Cochrane’s Greystone.
“In some cases, I'm seeing the grandparents of the young families that moved here over the past 5-7 years, exploring the idea of moving to Alberta to be closer to family and enjoy the lower cost of living compared to those large city centers. They want to walk to the park or the grocery store. They want to know their neighbours.”
In Cochrane, community spirit shows up in the little things, she observes.
“It’s the kind of place where people shovel their neighbour’s sidewalk before they wake up.
These daily realities speak to the trust, safety, and neighbourliness many former city dwellers say they were missing.
Lower Home Prices, Larger Spaces Draw Newcomers
Roomier home sizes and affordable values are also making it worthwhile for newcomers to consider moving to another province for the savings, says Anderson Monk.
“For what you’d pay for a condo in Vancouver or a townhouse in Mississauga, you can buy a 2,000+ sq. ft. detached home with a yard here,” she says.
Resale figures show that homes in the Calgary area are priced at half that of those in Toronto and Vancouver. The average price in Calgary was $570,000 in early 2024, according to Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) statistics, compared to $1.13 million in Toronto and $1.3 million in Vancouver, according to data from Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) and Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR).
Cochrane homes tend to be even more affordable than those in Calgary.
These lower prices enable buyers to splurge on semi-custom features that would have otherwise been out of reach.
“One family I worked with moved from B.C. and wanted to make sure their daughter had her own bathroom. We reworked the floor plan to give her a private ensuite,” Anderson Monk explains.
Opportunity and Access: A Strategic Choice in Cochrane
Cochrane isn’t just affordable—it’s connected.
“Many residents commute into Calgary or work remotely,” says Anderson Monk. “The location makes it easy to tap into the job market while still living in a place where you can enjoy the outdoors and community life.”
Huybrecht adds, “Cochrane offers the best of both worlds. It’s close enough to Calgary for work and city amenities, but far enough to enjoy a slower pace and better quality of life.”
The Lifestyle Factor: Slower, Safer, More Connected
More than anything, the lifestyle in the Alberta foothills seals the deal for many relocatees from out of province.
“There’s no big rush here,” Anderson Monk says. “People can breathe. They can walk their kids to school, ride bikes to a café, and still get to Calgary if they need to.”
New developments like Greystone are designed around these values. They offer walkable access to Cochrane’s downtown, river pathways, and planned amenities like Jefferson Plaza.
“We’re seeing demand for communities that aren’t just housing projects—they’re places to live, grow, and belong,” explains Huybrecht.
Planning for the Future
With growth comes responsibility, and the Town is preparing accordingly.
While the Town doesn’t advertise directly to newcomers, Huybrecht says it focuses on sustainable development and smart infrastructure investments.
“We’re seeing increased school registrations, more demand on recreational facilities, and growth in local business,” Huybrecht explains. “Our annual Report to the Community outlines how we’re responding—strategically, and with care for what makes Cochrane special.”
Choosing Cochrane
As interprovincial migration continues to reshape Canada’s population map, Cochrane is proving to be more than a bedroom community—it’s becoming a destination in its own right.
Whether it’s the mountains in your backyard or the chance for larger and customized square footage, Cochrane offers what many Canadians are looking for: a new kind of home base for a new kind of life.
Net Interprovincial Migration in 2023-2024
Source: Statistics Canada
Province | Net Interprovincial Migration (2023–2024) |
Alberta | +43,736 |
B.C. | –5,197 |
Ontario | –19,390 |
Nova Scotia | +2,925 |
Saskatchewan | +1,216 |
Quebec | –10,778 |
Manitoba | –7,432 |
+1,542 |
Comentários