City vs city

Red Deer vs Sylvan Lake

Red Deer is bigger (115,273 vs 18,953). Sylvan Lake has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($1,467 vs $1,418). Sylvan Lake has higher median household income ($93,000 vs $85,000). Sylvan Lake has milder winters, with January averaging (-11.6°C vs -11.6°C). Sylvan Lake has longer commutes (25.9 min vs 18.4 min).

Red DeerSylvan Lake
People
Population (latest est.)115,27318,953
Growth since 2021+10.4%+10.6%
Median age38.836.0
Immigrants16.9%—
Speak English & French5.4%6.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64)22.0%15.3%
Money
Median household income$85,000$93,000
Unemployment rate6.9%—
Housing
Avg. 1-bedroom rent$1,220$1,355
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$1,418$1,467
Rent change, 5 years+38.7%+45.1%
Median home value$340,000$360,000
Homeowners64.8%68.7%
Spend 30%+ on housing21.4%23.5%
Getting around
Average commute18.4 min25.9 min
Take transit2.5%0.7%
Walk or bike3.9%3.6%
Safety
Crime Severity Index114.4—
Climate
January average-11.6°C-11.6°C
July daily high22.7°C22.7°C
Snow per year120 cm120 cm
Precipitation per year487 mm487 mm

Green marks the generally more favourable value where one exists. Census figures are from 2021; rent, jobs, prices and population are the latest releases.

Average temperature by month

-15°-6°2°11°19°JanMarMayJulSep
Red DeerSylvan Lake

Two-bedroom rent over time

$886$1,047$1,208$1,368$1,52920152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Red DeerSylvan Lake