Should I rent in High River or in Calgary?

The trade-off is space and price versus commute time. High River typically offers more square footage per dollar than Calgary on comparable units, plus a smaller-town feel. The commute is the honest cost. If you drive to Calgary five days a week, add fuel and parking. Hybrid or fully remote workers get the most out of High River's value.

Alberta has no rent control. What does that mean?

Landlords can raise rent by any amount at renewal with three months' written notice, and only once every twelve months on the same tenant. High River's market is dominated by smaller owner-landlords who tend to prioritize long-term tenants over headline rent, so year-over-year increases are usually modest.

How does a security deposit work in Alberta?

Deposits are capped at one month's rent. The landlord must hold your deposit in an interest-bearing trust account and pay interest at the government-set rate. Written move-in and move-out inspections are legally required. Skip the written inspection and you make it very hard for the landlord to lawfully deduct for damage.

How do I dispute my landlord at RTDRS?

The Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service is Alberta's fast-track alternative to court. Filing fee is $75, decisions in weeks rather than months. Bring your lease, all correspondence, inspection reports, and photos. Decisions are binding and enforceable through the Court of King's Bench.

Can my landlord enter without notice?

Not for routine reasons. Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act requires 24 hours' written notice for reasonable purposes (repairs, showings, inspections). Emergencies are the only exception. Repeated no-notice entries are grounds for an RTDRS application.

High River, Alberta Canada

Living and Renting in High River in 2026

Small-town character on the Highwood River, Cargill's Canadian beef processing home, and one of Alberta's most photographed downtowns.

Browse High River rentals List your High River property free

Population (2021)

13,584

Statistics Canada

Drive time

50 minutes south of Calgary

to Calgary

Parent metro

Calgary

satellite

Local boards

2 schools

public + Catholic

FFrancis, SQRFT TeamCanadian Rental Market Analyst Updated July 3, 2026 7 min read

Section 1

High River at a glance

High River sits 50 kilometres south of Calgary on Highway 2, home to about 13,584 residents as of the 2021 Census. The town has a genuine downtown character, kept alive by its role as the filming location for the CBC television series Heartland (which uses downtown as fictional Hudson).

Rentals in High River lean single-family and townhouse. Cargill's beef processing plant is the largest local employer and drives a big share of workforce housing demand. The commute to south Calgary is 40 to 50 minutes on Highway 2, meaningful enough that most High River residents work locally or hybrid.

Section 2

Who works in High River

High River's local economy runs on the following:

•
Cargill (largest beef processing plant in Canada)
•
Regional agriculture
•
Retail and services

For many High River residents, the daily commute is a hybrid: some work locally, others drive into Calgary for jobs in office towers, hospitals, or the airport. If you are considering High River, be honest about how many days per week you actually need to be in Calgary and price the commute accordingly.

Section 3

High River schools

High River has 2 school boards serving the community.

Foothills School Division

Public board

FSD

Serves elementary through senior high in High River and surrounding communities.

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools

Catholic board

CTR

Serves elementary through senior high in High River and surrounding communities.

If schools are part of your rental decision, run your prospective address through each board's school locator before signing a lease. Popular schools in growth zones can close to non-designated students at short notice.

Section 4

Life after the 2013 flood

In June 2013, the Highwood River overflowed after unprecedented rainfall and destroyed or damaged a large share of High River's housing stock. Most of the town was evacuated. Recovery took years and reshaped the town: rebuilt neighborhoods have updated flood mitigation, and the community bonded around the shared experience. If you are renting a home built or renovated after 2014, you are living in a house engineered with that flood in mind. Ask any prospective landlord about elevation, sump pumps, and river-adjacent status before you sign.

Section 5

High River landmarks and lifestyle

•
Highwood River
•
George Lane Memorial Park
•
Sheppard Family Park
•
Museum of the Highwood

Section 6

Renting in High River: Alberta tenancy law essentials

High River sits below Calgary on most comparable rentals. The 30-percent-of-gross-income rule of thumb works well here for most working households. If you commute to Calgary for work, factor gas, vehicle wear, and time into your total housing budget.

Try the free rent affordability calculator →

Section 7

Live High River rentals on SQRFT

Browse High River listings List your High River property free

Sources