As Canadians pack away their parkas and start planting their spring blooms, it’s time to celebrate that the worst of winter is behind us. Springing forward and losing an hour of sleep when the clock goes ahead might lead to a few groggy mornings, but there’s no denying that the extra sunlight feels good for the soul. With longer daylight hours replacing the coldest and darkest days of the year, you might dream of moving to a sunnier locale. After all, sunlight significantly impacts our bodies and minds.
During winter, about 15% of Canadians experience a mild form of seasonal affective disorder at some point in their lives, as reported by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Additionally, sunlight boosts serotonin production, strengthens the immune system, increases Vitamin D production and improves sleep. For this reason, it’s no surprise that many people feel a surge of energy come springtime. If you’re considering a move to a sunnier location to enjoy these benefits year-round, don’t grab your passport just yet. Canada has several cities where you can bask in abundant sunlight throughout the year.
Zoocasa analyzed the average rental rates, home prices and monthly mortgage payments in Canada’s sunniest major real estate markets to determine how much it costs to live in each of these locations.
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Calgary is Canada’s sunniest city, with over 2,405 hours of sunshine yearly. That’s about 312 sunny days annually, according to Travel Alberta. What’s more, living in Alberta could save you some serious cash compared to other cities in Canada. The average house price in the province is 12% lower than the national average, and mortgage payments are a whopping 30% cheaper. Renting is also more affordable in Calgary, reaching 14% below the national average.
Sunshine and Savings: A Winning Combo
The sunniest cities in Canada offer plenty of sunshine and also stand out for their affordability. Eight of the ten sunniest cities come with rental prices below the national average, ranging from 10 to 40% lower than the average rent in Canada.
This trend extends to house prices as well. Seven of Canada’s ten sunniest cities have house prices that are significantly cheaper compared to the national average. The average house price in Winnipeg is $373,023, which is about 43% cheaper than the national benchmark. Meanwhile in Saskatoon, Canadian home buyers can purchase a home for 46% less than the national benchmark for an affordable average of $355,885 and enjoy an average of 2,328 hours of sunshine.
Thunder Bay takes the crown for the most significant savings when buying a house in a sunny city. It boasts the lowest average house price among all of the cities analyzed and is a whopping 60% less than the national average. Surprisingly, renting is even cheaper than buying in Thunder Bay. The average mortgage payment is $1212, which is 21% lower than the average rent of $1,532.
Similarly, in Regina, the third sunniest major city in Canada on our list, purchasing a house offers substantial savings. The capital city of Saskatchewan has prices that are over 57% lower than the national average. Interestingly, mortgage payments and average rent are comparable, with just a 2% difference favouring rent.
Victoria: The Sunny City with a Costly Glow
Victoria, the ninth sunniest major city, has the highest rent, mortgage payments, and average house prices. Renting in Victoria is notably more expensive, at $2,408, which is 10% higher than the national average. House prices in Victoria also show a significant increase, sitting at 40% more than the national average. Regarding the cost of mortgage payments, Victoria’s $4,213 is 28% higher than the national benchmark of $3,020.
To put it in perspective, compared to Calgary, Canada’s sunniest city, houses in Victoria are a staggering 59% more expensive. When it comes to hours of sunshine, Victoria sees 13% fewer hours of sunlight each year than Stampede City.
If you’re looking to make a move to a sunnier city, give us a call! We’ll help you find your dream home.
