Edmonton is the only major Canadian city where housing is keeping pace with growth | Daily Hive

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If you’ve been looking into the housing market in Edmonton, a new report says the city is one of the best places in Canada to buy property right now.

In the 2026 edition of Where to Buy Real Estate in Canada, MoneySense partnered with Zoocasa to rank the country’s top real estate markets and neighbourhoods.

While economists predicted Canada’s housing market would rebound in 2025 as interest rates stabilized and housing inventory improved, economic uncertainty, tariff threats from the U.S., and waning buyer confidence slowed momentum

National home sales declined year-over-year from February through May before recovering somewhat in the summer, particularly as the Bank of Canada signalled it was reaching the end of its rate-cutting cycle.

But not all areas of real estate suffered, according to the report. Increased inventory and softening benchmark prices improved affordability in several markets, creating opportunities for buyers.

Edmonton ranked third overall on the list. While it isn’t the cheapest market in Canada, the report points to the city’s relatively high median after-tax income and lower housing costs compared to other major cities as key advantages. With a population of 1.2 million, YEG was highlighted as offering the best value for those looking to balance big city life with affordable housing.

“Edmonton is attracting attention from across the country, said Aligul Arslan, an Edmonton-based eXp real estate agent. “For people selling in the GTA or Vancouver and going to either Calgary or Edmonton, it doesn’t hurt paying a third of the cost.”

The report also noted that Edmonton is increasingly attracting investors who are being priced out of Calgary.

“On the investor side, more people are choosing Edmonton because you’re actually cash flowing here,” Arslan added.

Edmonton’s benchmark home price dipped slightly by 0.6 per cent in 2025 to $408,300, but the city still saw long-term growth, with prices up nine per cent since 2022 and 23 per cent since 2020.

Arslan added that demand is strong for detached homes in the $400,000 to $600,000 range, with many first-time buyers skipping condos and townhomes in favour of single-family homes that offer more space and appreciation potential.

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The report also highlighted Edmonton’s population growth and housing supply. The city was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada last year, with its population increasing by three per cent from July 2024 to July 2025.

But despite that growth, Edmonton was identified as the only major metropolitan area currently building enough housing to maintain its affordability over the next decade.

That stability is a key part of the city’s appeal for investors, Arslan says. “It’s not a market where we see a lot of fluctuations,” he said. “It’s a buy-and-hold strategy. They’re definitely in it for the long run.”

Fredericton, New Brunswick, ranked first on the list, with a benchmark price of $344,467 and a median after-tax income of $69,000, while St. John’s, Newfoundland, with a benchmark price of $381,042 and $72,500 median after-tax income placed second.

You can find the full report online.