Canadians may have heard that Americans have greater affordability when it comes to buying a home. In many of Canada’s largest cities, this is true. Take Vancouver and Toronto, for example, where home prices are above $1 million and climbing. Home prices in similar-sized cities like Chicago and Portland are still nowhere near reaching those highs.
But while Vancouver and Toronto often steal the headlines, there’s a lot more to Canada than just these two metros. Compared to similarly sized U.S. cities, several smaller Canadian cities boast lower median home prices, particularly for condos. So, where exactly can Canadians go to score a deal that Americans can’t get?
Zoocasa compared single-family home and condo prices in 17 pairs of cities with similar population sizes, taking into consideration similar environments and vibes when possible, to determine which Canadian cities outshine their U.S. counterparts in affordable housing.
All figures are in USD. Canadian dollar figures were converted to US dollars at an exchange rate of 1 CAD = 0.7335 USD, according to Wise.
Canadian Condos Come Out on Top
Canadians often get compared to their neighbours to the south, but when it comes to condo prices? Canada might just have the upper hand.
In nearly all 17 city pairings besides Toronto and Vancouver, condo prices in the Canadian cities are much more affordable than their American counterparts.
Montreal and Boston are both historic, culture-rich cities with populations over four million, yet the median condo in Montreal costs just $313,565—nearly $400,000 less than in Boston.
On the West Coast, condo buyers will find that Kamloops is a far more affordable alternative to Bend. While Bend’s median condo price exceeds $500,000, Kamloops comes in at just $262,000. Both are mid-sized mountain cities perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, but Kamloops offers the same lifestyle at a much lower price.
This trend is repeated across the country, with many Canadian cities exhibiting condo price gaps of over $100,000 when compared to similarly sized American cities. So why are Canadian condos more affordable? There’s no single answer, but lifestyle preferences, housing supply dynamics, and urban development patterns may all play a role.
That said, part of the price difference comes from cooling demand in Canada. With more listings on the market and fewer buyers, prices are starting to soften. In Toronto, the median condo price dropped 6.2% year-over-year in May, while Calgary and Halifax saw more modest declines of just over 1%.
But New Brunswick is bucking the trend. In Saint John, the median condo price surged 39.8% year-over-year in May, and in Moncton, prices rose by 3.9%. According to a Rates.ca survey, 30% of Canadians no longer see condos as a good investment. But for the 22% who still believe in their potential, rising prices in New Brunswick suggest it could be a smart place to buy or invest.
A Tale of Two Capitals: Ottawa vs. Washington, D.C.
While not an exact population match, we thought it was only fair to compare the nation’s two capital cities. Ottawa has a population of just over a million, while Washington, D.C.’s population sits near 700,000. Both cities sit at the heart of national politics and attract millions of tourists each year.
Ottawa is the more affordable of the two, but neither city is exactly budget-friendly. The median price of a single-family home in D.C. is $630,900, about $50,000 more than Ottawa’s median of $579,454.
When it comes to income, the contrast is even sharper. The median household income in Ottawa is $63,674, while in D.C., it’s nearly double at $121,469. So while Canadians face lower home prices, their relatively lower earnings still make homeownership a stretch. Meanwhile, in D.C., a 20% down payment on a median-priced home comes to $126,180—more than a year’s salary for the typical resident.
Ultimately, both capitals face a common challenge: homeownership is becoming increasingly unaffordable for the average buyer.
East Coast Housing Deals You Won’t Find South of the Border
The Atlantic provinces of Canada are known for their relatively affordable housing. In contrast, New England, though also bordering the Atlantic, offers far fewer budget-friendly options.
Halifax and Portland, ME, are both mid-sized cities famous for their waterfronts, seafood, and maritime histories. Buying a home in either of these coastal hubs offers a similar lifestyle, but not at the same price.
In Halifax, the cost of buying a single-family home is roughly $427,000, while in Portland, it costs $527,000. Even condos are more affordable in Halifax, with a price of $344,298 compared to $479,500 in Portland.
In Moncton and Saint John, New Brunswick, median home prices are well under $260,000. That’s a stark contrast to similar-sized U.S. cities like Bangor, ME, where the median sits above $270,000, and Plymouth, MA, where single-family homes are as high as $744,250. So, for buyers looking for ocean views without the premium price tag, Canada’s Atlantic provinces come out ahead.
Middle of the Map Comparisons: Where the Midwest and Prairies Meet
Cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Red Deer are often overlooked next to Canada’s bigger markets, but they hold their own when stacked against similarly sized U.S. metros.
In Winnipeg, the median single-family home costs just over $309,000. That’s nearly half the price of a home in Boise, ID, where buyers face a median price of $579,900. Meanwhile, in Red Deer, the median single-family home price of $292,115 offers a budget-friendly alternative to those shopping in Missoula, MT, where the median price is a whopping $616,500.
Edmonton, despite being one of the most affordable large cities in Canada, is seeing prices rise as demand grows. In May 2025, the median price for a detached home increased by 6.6% year-over-year. That puts Edmonton above Louisville, KY, where the median price remains lower at $278,100.
Condos, on the other hand, are where Edmonton truly shines. With a median price of just $145,000, it’s unmatched by any other city in our analysis. Whether compared to Louisville or Dallas, Edmonton comes out on top.
Affordability North of the Border
Housing in cities like Toronto and Vancouver can rival or often exceed U.S. prices, but that’s far from the whole story. From the Prairies to the Maritimes, many Canadian cities offer buyers better value with a similar quality of life.
Whether it’s a condo in Halifax, a detached home in Winnipeg, or an investment opportunity in New Brunswick, Canadian buyers still have access to options that many Americans would envy.
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