Whitehorse, Yukon – The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC) is releasing the 11th annual Living Wage Report today. This report shows that the cost of living in Whitehorse continues to rise sharply—and that many Yukoners are struggling to cover the basics.
This year’s living wage for a two person household with two children is $29.60 per hour per adult—an increase of 13.3% from 2025. A single person now needs $32.43 per hour, and a single-parent household requires $37.80 per hour to meet basic needs.
The living wage represents the hourly income needed to cover basic expenses like shelter, food, transportation, and child care—based on a modest standard of living. The calculation follows a nationally standardized methodology, using local cost data and factoring in government transfers and taxes.
“The 2026 calculation confirms what every Yukoner knows,” says Kristina Craig, Executive Director of YAPC. “The cost of living in Whitehorse is rising faster than incomes, and it’s hitting low- and modest-income households the hardest.”
The report highlights that the living wage is not just about wages—it’s a reflection of how public policy impacts affordability. When governments invest in affordable childcare, housing, health care, and public transportation, the cost of living goes down—and the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage narrows.
“This report shows clearly where those supports are working—and where they’re falling short, especially for single households, who receive fewer targeted benefits,” says Kendall Hammond, report author.