Renting in Cardston in 2026
Southern Alberta rental context, honest local employer breakdown, and Alberta tenancy rules that apply.
Population (2021)
3,724
Statistics Canada
Nearest major city
Lethbridge
1 hr south
Region
Southern Alberta
LDS community + Alberta Temple
Local boards
2 schools
public + Catholic
Section 1
Cardston at a glance
Cardston is a town of 3,724 residents as of the 2021 Census, sitting in southern Alberta about 70 kilometres south of Lethbridge and near the northern edge of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Cardston was first settled in 1887 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) who travelled from Utah, led by Charles Ora Card. According to the 2021 Census, roughly 62 percent of Cardston's population identifies with the LDS Church. The Cardston Alberta Temple, constructed between 1913 and 1923, was the first LDS temple built outside the United States and remained the only Canadian temple until the Toronto Ontario Temple opened in 1990. Rentals lean single-family homes and small multi-unit buildings, with long tenancies typical in a close-knit community.
Section 2
Who works in Cardston
The local economy runs on the following:
- •Regional agriculture (ranching, cropping across Cardston County)
- •Local retail, services, and healthcare
- •Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (religious institution and community activities)
- •Historic and religious tourism
- •Waterton Lakes National Park gateway (adjacent to south)
Section 3
Cardston schools
Section 4
Cardston landmarks and lifestyle
- •Cardston Alberta Temple (LDS, built 1913-1923; first LDS temple outside the United States)
- •Remington Carriage Museum
- •Waterton Lakes National Park (nearby to south)
- •Charles Ora Card House Historic Site
Section 5
Nearby communities
Lethbridge
on Highway 5
Southern Alberta's largest city.
Waterton Park
on Highway 5
Not for rental inventory but a national park gateway.
Section 6
Alberta tenancy rules that apply in Cardston
Every rental in Cardston is governed by the Alberta Residential Tenancies Act. Key rules that apply regardless of town size:
- •No provincial rent control.Landlords can raise rent at renewal with three months' written notice and a 12-month gap.
- •Security deposits capped at one month's rent.Held in an interest-bearing trust account under section 45.
- •Landlord entry requires 24 hours' written notice.For repairs, showings, or inspections.
- •Disputes go to RTDRS.Alberta's fast-track alternative to court. $75 filing fee.
- •Written move-in inspection is legally required.Without one, a landlord cannot lawfully deduct for damage.
Deep guides for each of these topics are in the SQRFT guide library.
Section 7
Live Cardston rentals on SQRFT
Sources
Where these numbers come from
© 2026 2669425 AB Inc. This page is for information only and is not financial, legal, or investment advice.