Livability Score

60
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities F

There are not many amenities close to this location.
Coffee (6) F
Entertainment (10) F
Food and Drink (14) F
Fitness (2) F
Groceries (10) F
Parks (223) F
Shops (17) F
See more Wood Buffalo amenity data

commute F

Of all people who commute, 21.3% take public transportation in Wood Buffalo.
Public Transit Stops (3)
Stops & Stations
F
Workers Taking Public Transit
21.3%
A-
See more Wood Buffalo commute data

cost of living B-

The cost of living in Wood Buffalo is 94/100 - which is 6% lower than Alberta.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
D-
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
A+
See more Wood Buffalo cost of living data

crime F

Wood Buffalo crime rates are 9,099 per 100k, which is 42% higher than Alberta
Property Crime
7,346 crimes per 100k
F
Violent Crime
1,754 crimes per 100k
F
See more Wood Buffalo crime data

employment A+

The median income in Wood Buffalo is $193,893 - which is 105% higher than Alberta.
Med. Household Income
$193,893
A+
Unemployment Rate
6.7%
F
See more Wood Buffalo employment data

health D

There are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,
Health & Safety (13)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
F
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
A+
See more Wood Buffalo health & safety data

housing A-

Wood Buffalo home prices are $478,000 - which is 1% higher than Alberta
Home Price
$478,000
F
Home Appreciation Rate
13%
F
Home Affordability
2.5x (home price to income ratio)
A+
See more Wood Buffalo housing data

schools B-

The Wood Buffalo graduation rate is 89% - which is 6% higher than Alberta
School Test Scores
61%
C-
High School Grad. Rates
89%
B+
Elementary Schools (30) F
High Schools (11) F
See more Wood Buffalo education data

ratings F

Wood Buffalo has an overall rating of 24% from 3 reviews.
User Reviews (0)
From AreaVibes
User Surveys (3)
From AreaVibes
F
See more Wood Buffalo user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Wood Buffalo, AB
( 3 Ratings )

Living in Wood Buffalo, AB

Wood Buffalo Area Facts

  • Wood Buffalo has a Livability Score of 60/100, which is considered below average
  • Wood Buffalo crime rates are 42% higher than the Alberta average
  • Cost of living in Wood Buffalo is 6% lower than the Alberta average

Wood Buffalo Reviews

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Compare Wood Buffalo, AB Livability

      vs

      Wood Buffalo, AB

      Wood Buffalo is a municipality located in Alberta. Formed as a result of the amalgamation of Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo is an urban service area that sits in the centre of the Athabasca oil sands in northeast Alberta. Many residents still consider it to be a city, even though it lost its city status in 1995 when it became the RM of Wood Buffalo. Wood Buffalo has played a big part in Canada’s petroleum industry, which is its main economy. Many residents work in this industry, or in forestry, as there is boreal forest surrounding the city. In the past, the region was dominated by the Bree people due to its location at the confluence of the Athabasca and Clearwater Rivers. This all changed in the 20th century when oil explorations began.

      Considering its remote location, Wood Buffalo is quite a pricey city to live in, especially in neighbourhoods on the west side of the Athabasca River. The area right where the two rivers meet is Wood Buffalo’s city centre and where most Wood Buffalo locals will lead you if you want to enjoy the city’s nightlife. There is also a good selection of restaurants here, although the Timberlea neighbourhood is also a good place to go for a meal. Most other areas of the city are predominately residential subdivisions.

      Being an oil production hub means that the average annual income in Wood Buffalo is higher than in many other cities in Alberta. It also has its own college - Keyano College – that trains workers for the oil sands. The college also has a state-of-the-art recital hall that hosts plenty of theatrical and musical events. For residents with children, there are a number of great schools in the city, some of which offer special programs like French immersion and performing arts. There is also one Francophone school, which is great for bilingual families or those that use French as their mother tongue.

      Besides its strong economy, Wood Buffalo has a few other pros that make it a great place to live. One good things about the city is its transportation, with buses running throughout all neighbourhoods. There are also buses to the Fort McMurray International Airport and long distance buses to Edmonton and other areas throughout the province. In terms of recreation, any Wood Buffalo guide will recommend to go canoeing along one of the rivers and a wait until dark to see the Aurora Borealis.

      F Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Wood Buffalo? Well, there are not many amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Entertainment

      Food & Drink

      F Commute

      Is public transit available in Wood Buffalo? Of all people who commute, 21.3% take public transportation in Wood Buffalo.
      Drive to Work
      42%

      1% higher than the CDN average

      Take Public Transit
      21%

      14% higher than the CDN average

      Walk to Work
      2%

      1% lower than the CDN average

      F Health & Safety

      Is Wood Buffalo a healthy and safe place to live? No, there are not many hospitals, police and fire stations,

      Hospitals

      Northern Lights Regional Health Centre

      Pharmacies

      Shoppers Drug Mart

      Doctors