Key points
- From about $49,000 to $148,000 of salary, BC takes less income tax than Alberta in 2026.
- The gap peaks at about $915 a year around $100,000 to $110,000.
- Above about $148,000, Alberta is lower, because its rates stop at 15% while BC's reach 20.5%.
- Federal tax, CPP and EI are the same in both provinces.
- The province you live in on December 31 taxes the whole year.
Income tax and take-home pay, BC and Alberta, 2026
One person, employment income only, with the credits every employee gets: the basic personal amount, the Canada employment amount, CPP and EI. Income tax is federal plus provincial. Take-home is what is left after income tax, CPP, CPP2 and EI.
| Salary | Income tax, BC | Income tax, Alberta | Take-home, BC | Take-home, Alberta | BC keeps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $5,844 | $5,877 | $40,574 | $40,541 | +$33 |
| $60,000 | $7,906 | $7,970 | $47,755 | $47,691 | +$64 |
| $70,000 | $10,572 | $10,813 | $54,348 | $54,107 | +$241 |
| $80,000 | $13,274 | $13,733 | $61,157 | $60,698 | +$459 |
| $90,000 | $16,037 | $16,722 | $68,193 | $67,509 | +$684 |
| $100,000 | $18,857 | $19,772 | $75,373 | $74,459 | +$914 |
| $110,000 | $21,905 | $22,822 | $82,325 | $81,409 | +$916 |
| $120,000 | $25,163 | $25,973 | $89,067 | $88,258 | +$809 |
| $130,000 | $28,992 | $29,573 | $95,238 | $94,658 | +$580 |
| $140,000 | $32,821 | $33,173 | $101,409 | $101,058 | +$351 |
| $150,000 | $36,854 | $36,773 | $107,377 | $107,458 | −$81 |
"BC keeps" is how much more a BC resident takes home on the same salary; a minus sign means Alberta keeps more. Your own numbers, with deductions, other income and a partner, are one click away in the income tax calculator, which shows both provinces at your income.
Why BC is lower in the middle and Alberta at the top
Federal tax is the same everywhere outside Quebec, so the difference comes from the two provincial systems. They are built differently: Alberta has a large basic personal amount and flat-ish rates, while BC starts lower and climbs faster.
| British Columbia | Alberta | |
|---|---|---|
| First bracket | 5.6% up to $50,363 | 8% up to $61,200 |
| Middle income | 7.7% up to $100,728, then 10.5% up to $115,648 and 12.29% up to $140,430 | 10% up to $154,259 |
| Higher income | 14.7% up to $190,405, 16.8% up to $265,545, then 20.5% | 12% up to $185,111, 13% up to $246,813, 14% up to $370,220, then 15% |
| Basic personal amount | $13,216, worth $740 at 5.6% | $22,769, worth $1,822 at 8% |
| Low-income help | BC tax reduction up to $690, gone by about $44,950 of net income | None of this kind |
On a $50,000 salary the two almost cancel out: Alberta's bigger basic amount makes up for its higher first rate. From there, every extra dollar is taxed at 7.7% in BC and 8% to 10% in Alberta, so BC pulls ahead. Above $115,648 BC's rates climb to 12.29% and then 14.7%, while Alberta stays at 10% until $154,259, and by about $148,000 Alberta is back in front.
The rate on your next dollar
Your marginal rate (federal plus provincial) is what each extra dollar of salary costs in income tax. It is also roughly what an RRSP deduction saves, which the RRSP tax savings calculator works out for you.
| Salary | BC | Alberta |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 19.6% | 22.0% |
| $60,000 | 28.2% | 28.5% |
| $100,000 | 28.2% | 30.5% |
| $110,000 | 31.0% | 30.5% |
| $120,000 | 38.3% | 36.0% |
| $150,000 | 40.7% | 36.0% |
Two nurses each earn a $100,000 salary in 2026, one in Surrey and one in Edmonton, with no other income or deductions. Both pay $13,302 of federal tax and the same $5,770 of CPP, CPP2 and EI. Provincial tax is $5,556 in BC and $6,470 in Alberta. The Surrey nurse takes home about $75,373 and the Edmonton nurse about $74,459: $915 more in BC, before living costs.
What the comparison leaves out
- Your own deductions and credits. RRSP contributions, union dues, child care, a spouse amount, pension income and other credits change both provinces' tax, and not always equally.
- Other income. Self-employment, rental income, dividends and capital gains are taxed differently. A self-employed person also pays both halves of CPP.
- Sales tax and living costs. BC charges 7% provincial sales tax on many purchases; Alberta has none. Housing, insurance and other costs differ far more than income tax does.
- Moving during the year. The province you live in on December 31 taxes all of your income for the year.
How Finvo helps
We prepare personal returns in BC and Alberta from our offices in Surrey, Edmonton and Courtenay. If you're moving between the two, or earn more than a salary, we look at your whole picture: which province's tax applies, what you can deduct and what to set aside.
This guide is general information, worked out with 2026 federal, BC and Alberta rates checked on the government pages listed below. It covers employment income only and isn't tax advice for your situation.