Canadian Housing Affordability Index 2026
Access the most comprehensive dataset on the 2026 Canadian housing market crisis.
Last updated: October 8, 2026
Canada housing affordability, measured city by city
Canada housing affordability on this page is measured with one core ratio: a city's average home price divided by local median household income. That price-to-income multiple shows how many years of a typical local income a typical home costs, so cities can be compared on the same footing across the 76 cities in the table below.
The spread across Canada is wide. Vancouver is the least affordable city in the dataset at 12.3 times median income, while Regina is the most affordable at 4.0 times, followed by St. John's at 4.1 times and Saskatoon and Winnipeg, both at 4.5 times. The same table adds average prices, rents and estimated mortgage payments so the multiple can be read next to the actual monthly cost of carrying a home.
Affordability gaps this large also feed the wider market debate. Where prices sit far above local incomes and rents, owners have less room to absorb higher renewal payments. The Canada housing bubble framework tracks how those pressure points interact, and the price-to-income ratio guide explains the method behind the multiples in more depth.
Explore Core Metrics
Historical Price Trends 2026 Tool (Data & Overview)
Track how Canadian home prices have evolved over the last 10 years. Compare provincial growth rates and market cycles.
Price-to-Income Ratio 2026 Guide & Data (Analysis)
A deep dive into the 'Home Price Multiple'. See where housing costs are most detached from local earnings.
Market Activity Trends 2026 Tool (Data & Overview)
Analyze year-over-year price movements and demand shifts across 35+ major Canadian metro areas.
Rental Market Analysis 2026 Tool (Data & Overview)
Explore the growing disconnect between rents and incomes. Compare the cost of renting vs. owning in each city.
Monthly Mortgage Costs 2026 Tool (Data & Overview)
See the real carrying cost. We calculate estimated monthly payments based on current rates and local taxes.
Income vs. Price Growth 2026 Tool (Data & Overview)
Compare the trajectory of household incomes against real estate appreciation to see the affordability gap.
Major City Spotlight
Comprehensive City Data
A high-level overview of housing metrics for 76 Canadian metros.
| Metro Area | Avg Price | Multiple | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $1,154,000 | 12.3× | worsening |
| Victoria | $915,200 | 10.6× | stable |
| Kelowna | $795,400 | 9.8× | stable |
| Toronto | $968,400 | 9.3× | improving |
| Ottawa | $678,400 | 6.8× | stable |
| Hamilton | $792,300 | 8.5× | improving |
| Kitchener-Waterloo | $732,400 | 7.5× | stable |
| London | $612,500 | 7.3× | improving |
| Kingston | $645,000 | 7.3× | stable |
| Montreal | $595,400 | 7.3× | stable |
Canada Housing Affordability FAQs
What counts as affordable housing in Canada on this page?
This page treats affordability as the relationship between a city's average home price and local median household income, expressed as a price-to-income multiple. A lower multiple means a typical home costs fewer years of local income. The table compares 76 cities on that basis, alongside average prices, rents and estimated mortgage payments.
Which city is the most affordable in Canada in this dataset?
Regina is the most affordable city in the table on a price-to-income basis at 4.0 times median income, followed by St. John's at 4.1 times and Saskatoon and Winnipeg, both at 4.5 times. Those Prairie and Atlantic markets sit well below the national picture, where large Ontario and British Columbia cities carry much higher multiples.
Which city is the least affordable in Canada in this dataset?
Vancouver is the least affordable city in the table at 12.3 times median income, followed by Victoria at 10.6 times. Several suburbs around Vancouver, including Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond and Coquitlam, also sit at 10 times income or higher, while Toronto sits at 9.3 times. Monthly mortgage payments in the most expensive markets absorb a much larger share of a typical household budget.
How current is this affordability data?
The current city table is dated October 8, 2026 and is refreshed as new price and income figures are published for the 76 cities tracked here. Because prices and incomes move at different speeds, check the date on the table before comparing a city against older reporting.