Real Estate Near Calgary: Why Airdrie Is a Top Choice for Families

Looking for real estate near Calgary that offers more space, better value, and a genuine sense of community?

Thousands of families are discovering what makes Airdrie special—and they're voting with their feet.

With Calgary's housing prices reaching new heights and the city becoming increasingly congested, families are exploring alternatives that don't require sacrificing access to big-city opportunities. Airdrie, located just 30 minutes north of Calgary, has emerged as the top choice for families seeking the perfect balance between urban accessibility and quality of life.

But is Airdrie right for your family? Let's explore what makes this rapidly growing city Alberta's premier family-friendly community.

Airdrie at a Glance: Fast Facts for Families

Before diving deeper, here's what you need to know:

• Population: 90,044 (2025), with steady annual growth
• Location: Just 10 minutes north of Calgary city limits via Highway 2
• Average commute to downtown Calgary: 25-35 minutes
• Benchmark home price: $531,100 (August 2025) compared to Calgary's $572,800 (September 2025)
• School enrollment: 13,479 students across multiple school divisions
• Average household income: Strong middle-class demographics
• Projected 2026 population: 94,347 residents

The numbers tell an important story: Airdrie is experiencing explosive growth because families find genuine value here—and it's closer to Calgary than many people realize.

Housing Affordability: More Space for Your Money

Let's address the elephant in the room—housing costs. For most families, this is the primary consideration when choosing where to live.

The Price Difference That Matters

As of August 2025, the benchmark price of a home in Airdrie is $531,100, while Calgary's benchmark sits at $572,800 (September 2025). That represents savings of over $41,700—money that could fund your children's education, renovations, emergency funds, or simply provide financial breathing room.

But it's not just about the absolute price. It's about what you get for your money:

In Airdrie:

• Newer homes with modern designs and energy efficiency
• Larger lots with actual backyards for kids to play
• 3-4 bedroom homes are the norm, not the exception
• Attached garages (essential in Alberta winters)
• Proximity to schools, parks, and amenities

In Calgary:

• Same budget often gets older homes requiring updates
• Smaller lots in established neighborhoods
• More competition and bidding wars
• Higher property taxes
• Longer commutes from affordable areas to employment centers

For growing families needing space—playrooms, home offices, yard space for kids—Airdrie delivers significantly more value per dollar.

Rental Market Considerations

Even rental housing tells the affordability story. A one-bedroom apartment in Airdrie costs about $1,172 monthly—just $7 more than Calgary's $1,165. But that tiny price difference comes with a crucial advantage: space.

Airdrie rental properties typically offer more square footage, outdoor space, and family-friendly features than comparable Calgary rentals.

The Commute: Is It Really Manageable?

The most common concern about Airdrie is the commute. Let's address this honestly.

Average Commute Times

The commute from Airdrie to Calgary takes just 10 minutes to reach Calgary's city limits, with downtown Calgary accessible in 25-35 minutes by car via Highway 2—a well-maintained, divided highway that Alberta invests in continuously.

Compare this to families living in Calgary's far suburbs like McKenzie Towne, Cranston, or Mahogany, where commutes to downtown or northwest employment centers can easily reach 40-60 minutes in traffic. Living in Airdrie often means a shorter commute than living in the wrong part of Calgary.

Transit Options

Airdrie Transit offers connectivity to Calgary's public transit system, providing an alternative to driving for those who prefer it. Park-and-ride facilities make this option convenient for commuters.

The Work-From-Home Factor

Post-pandemic, many families have hybrid work arrangements. If you're commuting 2-3 days per week instead of five, that 25-35 minute drive becomes far less burdensome—and the housing savings become even more compelling.

Growing Local Employment

Airdrie's own job market is expanding. While many residents work in Calgary, increasing numbers find employment locally in retail, healthcare, education, and service industries. This trend will accelerate as the city approaches 100,000 residents.

Education: Excellent Schools Across Multiple Systems

Education is paramount for families, and Airdrie delivers with an excellent education system supporting 13,479 students across multiple school divisions.

School Board Options

Families in Airdrie have choices:

• Rocky View Schools (public)
• Calgary Catholic School District
• Palliser School Division
• Conseil Scolaire FrancoSud (French)
• Various private and charter schools

This diversity ensures families can find the right educational environment for their children's needs and values.

New School Construction

Airdrie is actively addressing growth with significant school construction projects:

• South Windsong School (K-9): Expected to open in Fall 2027
• Bayview School (K-9): Estimated opening in Fall 2028
• New Southwinds High School (10-12): Slated for Fall 2029 opening

These new facilities demonstrate the city's commitment to educational infrastructure and ensure schools keep pace with population growth, preventing overcrowding and maintaining quality education.

Educational Achievement

Airdrie schools consistently perform well in provincial assessments. The combination of newer facilities, engaged parents, and supportive community creates an environment where children thrive academically.

Recreation and Family Activities: More Than You'd Expect

One of Airdrie's biggest surprises for newcomers is the breadth of recreational opportunities available.

Current Facilities

• Genesis Place: Airdrie's premier recreation facility featuring pools, fitness areas, indoor track, and climbing wall
• Airdrie Public Library (InsideOut): The city's stunning new library that just opened its doors, offering modern spaces for learning, reading, and community gathering
• Multiple arenas supporting hockey, figure skating, and other ice sports
• Outdoor fields: Soccer, baseball, football facilities throughout the city
• Parks and playgrounds: Extensive network across all neighborhoods
• Pathways: Connected trail system for walking, cycling, and rollerblading
• East Lake: Central water feature with surrounding pathways and green space

Coming Soon: SW Recreation Centre

Airdrie is investing heavily in recreation infrastructure. Phase One of the new SW Recreation Centre will open in late 2028, featuring:

• Leisure pools and a 25-metre lane pool
• Fitness centre
• Family-friendly spaces and common areas
• Therapy pools and aquatic fitness facilities
• Water slides, splash areas, and family features

Phase Two (2030s) will add more amenities as the population continues growing.

The city's commitment to recreation reflects its understanding that active, engaged families need quality facilities close to home.

Sports and Cultural Programs

Airdrie offers extensive programming through recreation facilities including swimming lessons, summer camps, adult fitness and wellness programs, and various sports leagues. Youth sports are particularly strong, with programs for hockey, soccer, baseball, dance, martial arts, and much more.

Community Character: Small-Town Feel, Big-City Access

Beyond the practical considerations, Airdrie offers something harder to quantify but equally important— community.

The Airdrie Difference

Families consistently cite these aspects of Airdrie's character:

• Knowing your neighbors: The community maintains a small-town friendliness despite rapid growth
• Safety: Low crime rates and visible community policing
• Family-focused events: Festivals, farmers markets, parades, and seasonal celebrations
• Volunteer culture: Strong tradition of community involvement
• Parks in every neighborhood: Easy access to outdoor spaces
• Walkability: Many neighborhoods feature schools and amenities within walking distance

Young, Growing Demographics

Airdrie has a young population with an average age of 33, and 57% of residents are under 40. The current population of 90,044 is forecast to reach 94,347 by 2026. This creates a community where:

• Kids have plenty of playmates in every neighborhood
• Schools are full of engaged, young parents
• Community activities target families with children
• The energy and optimism of growing families permeates the culture

Shopping and Amenities: Everything You Need Locally

A common misconception is that Airdrie lacks amenities, requiring constant trips to Calgary. The reality is quite different.

Retail and Services

Airdrie offers comprehensive shopping options:

• Major grocery chains (Sobeys, Safeway, Co-op, Walmart, Costco)
• Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and other home improvement stores
• Clothing retailers and specialty shops
• Restaurants covering diverse cuisines
• Banking, professional services, and healthcare facilities

For everyday needs, families rarely need to leave Airdrie. Calgary trips become occasional outings for specialized shopping or entertainment, not weekly necessities.

Healthcare Considerations

Airdrie has medical clinics, dental offices, pharmacies, and urgent care facilities. While the city lacks a full hospital (a common concern), Calgary's healthcare facilities are easily accessible for specialized care or emergencies.

The Cost of Living: Beyond Housing

Housing affordability is crucial, but the total cost of living matters too.

Comparable Daily Expenses

Airdrie tends to be more affordable than Calgary, particularly in terms of housing, while offering similar costs for utilities, transportation, and daily expenses.

Dining out example: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Airdrie costs around $25 CAD, while a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is approximately $82.50 CAD—slightly lower than comparable Calgary establishments.

Property Taxes

While property taxes vary by specific property and services, Airdrie generally offers competitive tax rates. The combination of lower purchase prices and reasonable taxes means lower overall housing costs than Calgary.

Transportation Savings

While some families commute to Calgary, others work locally or remotely, eliminating commuting costs entirely. Even for commuters, Highway 2 driving costs (gas and wear) compare favorably to Calgary's inner-city parking fees and higher insurance rates.

The Cons: What to Consider Before Moving

Honesty requires acknowledging Airdrie's challenges:

Infrastructure Strain

Services are struggling to keep up with the town's rapid growth. This affects schools (enrollment pressures), healthcare (wait times), and recreation (Genesis Place congestion). The city is addressing these through capital projects, but growing pains are real.

Limited Local Employment

While improving, Airdrie's job market is smaller than Calgary's. Most families have at least one Calgary commuter, creating highway dependency.

Cultural and Entertainment Options

Calgary offers museums, professional sports, concerts, theater, and diverse dining that Airdrie can't match. For families valuing regular access to cultural experiences, this matters.

Weather and Commute Challenges

Alberta winters can make Highway 2 commutes difficult. Families need winter-ready vehicles and flexibility for occasional weather-related delays.

Teen Activities

While excellent for young families, some teenagers find Airdrie limiting compared to Calgary's youth culture, entertainment venues, and part-time job opportunities.

Who Thrives in Airdrie?

Based on thousands of family experiences, Airdrie is ideal for:

• Families with young children (0-12 years) who prioritize space, safety, and community
• First-time homebuyers needing affordability without sacrificing quality
• Remote or hybrid workers who don't commute daily
• People seeking community connection over urban anonymity
• Outdoor enthusiasts who value accessible parks and pathways
• Families willing to trade some convenience for financial freedom

Airdrie may be less ideal for:

• Families requiring immediate access to specialized healthcare
• Those who rely heavily on urban cultural amenities
• People with long Calgary commutes (south Calgary, for example)
• Families who struggle with small-city limitations

The 2025 Outlook: Why Now?

Several factors make 2025 an especially compelling time for families considering Airdrie:

Interest Rate Environment

With the Bank of Canada's overnight rate at 2.5% as of September 2025—down from over 5% in 2023— mortgage affordability has improved dramatically. This means families can afford more house for the same monthly payment.

Population Momentum

Airdrie's population of 90,044 is forecast to reach 94,347 by 2026. This growth drives continued amenity development, retail expansion, and community investment—all benefiting early adopters.

Infrastructure Investment

The SW Recreation Centre, new schools, and other capital projects coming online in 2028-2030 will significantly enhance quality of life for current and future residents.

Making the Decision: Questions to Ask

Before choosing Airdrie, consider:

1. How often will we commute to Calgary? Daily commutes are manageable but require commitment.
2. What stage are our children in? Airdrie excels for young families; teenagers may have different needs.
3. Do we value space over urban amenities? Airdrie offers the former; Calgary the latter.
4. Are we comfortable in growing communities? Construction, traffic adjustments, and evolving infrastructure are realities.
5. What matters most to our family? Financial freedom? Community? Schools? Airdrie delivers strongly on specific priorities.

The Bottom Line: Why Families Choose Airdrie

Airdrie has become a top choice for families seeking real estate near Calgary because it delivers what matters most: affordable housing with genuine space, excellent schools, safe communities, and the financial freedom to actually enjoy life rather than just survive it.

The $41,700+ savings compared to equivalent Calgary homes isn't theoretical—it's money families invest in their futures, experiences, and security. The 25-35 minute commute (just 10 minutes to Calgary's city limits) isn't a burden, but a reasonable trade-off thousands of families willingly make for the lifestyle Airdrie enables.

Is Airdrie perfect? No community is. But for families prioritizing space, affordability, safety, community, and quality of life—while maintaining easy access to Calgary's opportunities (just 10 minutes to city limits)— Airdrie represents one of Alberta's most compelling choices.

As the city approaches 95,000 residents by 2026 and continues evolving from bedroom community to destination city, families establishing roots now position themselves to benefit from decades of growth and investment ahead.

Ready to explore Airdrie for your family? Connect with a local REALTOR® who specializes in family relocations and understands which neighborhoods best match your priorities. The right guidance ensures you find not just a house, but a community where your family thrives.