Saving for a down payment on a home is often cited as one of the biggest obstacles to homeownership. Homebuyers across Canada are faced with the reality of figuring out how long to save as property prices across most of the country continue to increase. 

As you’ll soon discover, how much you need to save varies greatly depending on where you live in Canada. This in-depth guide will offer insights into the average savings time across different provinces and what Canadians should expect along their journey toward owning a home.

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Key Takeaways 

• Saving duration is influenced by property prices, average salaries, and living costs.
• The average savings time can range from 3 to 44 years, depending on the province and city where your subject property is located.
• With strategic budgeting and planning, it’s possible to accelerate the investing and savings process and get into your dream home faster.

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How Much Do Canadians Typically Put Down on a Home?

The first hurdle on the road to homeownership in Canada is saving for the down payment. The minimum required depends on the property’s purchase price. 

For properties priced at $500,000 or less, you’ll need at least 5% of the purchase price. If the property’s price ranges between $500,000 and $999,999, you’ll need 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of any amount over $500,000. For properties priced at $1 million or more, 20% is required. 

Factors Influencing Saving Duration

Saving can be difficult, especially when so many factors influence how long we can keep that money saved. One major factor is the amount of income we earn. It’s no secret that those who earn more money have an easier time saving it as long as their expenses are not increasing alongside their incomes. 

Another factor is the cost of living in your particular area. Living expenses and property prices can vary greatly depending on where we choose or need to live, impacting how much we can save and for how long. 

Provincial Property Prices

Property prices across Canadian provinces vary significantly, considerably impacting the time it takes for you to save. For instance, provinces like B.C. and Ontario, known for their soaring property prices, require a longer saving period compared to provinces with more affordable housing markets.

Average Salaries

Your income plays a fundamental role in determining how long it will take to save for a down payment. Unfortunately, while property prices have seen a steep rise over the years, average salaries have largely remained stagnant (we’re using 2021 incomes from the most recent StatsCan census for our calculations). This discrepancy has resulted in an extended savings period for potential homeowners.

Living Costs

The cost of living also significantly influences the saving duration. The higher cost of living in areas like Toronto means less disposable income is available to set aside for a down payment, further extending the savings period required to afford a home.

How Much to Save for a Down Payment in Each Canadian Province

The average savings time required to afford a home using the minimum down payment in Canada stands at almost 8 years. However, this figure fluctuates greatly across provinces and even cities. 

Here’s a snapshot of how long it would take to save the minimum down payment required for a home in each province and territory, assuming you can save 10% of your gross income each year to put toward a down payment.

Ontario

Average house price: $856,269

Minimum down payment: $60,709

Salary average: $55,000

Time to save for a down payment in Ontario: 11 years

Major city: Toronto

Average house price in Toronto: $1,161,200

Minimum down payment: $232,240

Time to save for a down payment in Toronto: 42.2 years

You currently need to save for 11 years in Ontario and a staggering 42.2 years in Toronto. To make a comparison, it took roughly 4.2 years to save up for the minimum down payment on a home in Toronto 10 years ago. 

While home prices in the GTA continue to spiral out of control, some smaller communities in Ontario still have affordable housing options that are less than the Ontario average if you are ready to leave the city for greener pastures. If your heart is set on the city, your best option may be to pool your resources and purchase a home with friends. 

Quebec

Average house price in Quebec: $492,190

Minimum down payment: $24,610

Salary average: $51,200

Time to save for a down payment in Quebec: 4.8 years

Major city: Montreal

Average house price in Montreal: $520,000

Minimum down payment: $27,040

Time to save for a down payment in Montreal: 5.3 years

You currently need to save for 4.8 years to afford a home in Quebec and 5.3 years in Montreal. To compare this to 10 years ago, it took just 2.6 years to save for a home in Montreal. 

British Columbia

Average house price: $966,181

Minimum down payment: $71,691

Salary average: $54,700

Time to save for a down payment in BC: 13.1 years

Major city: Vancouver

Average house price in Vancouver: $1,210,700

Minimum down payment: $242,140

Time to save for a down payment in Vancouver: 44.3 years

You currently need to save for 13.1 years to afford the down payment on an average-priced home in B.C. In Vancouver, that jumps to a staggering 44.3 years. Just 10 years ago, it took an average of 5.2 years to afford the minimum down payment on a home in Vancouver. 

Like Toronto, if Vancouver is the place you call home, consider buying a home with friends and combining your down payments. 

Alberta

Average house price: $452,387

Minimum down payment: $22,619

Salary average: $59,000

Time to save for a down payment in Alberta: 3.8 years

Major city: Calgary

Average house price in Calgary: $551,300

Minimum down payment: $30,156

Time to save for a down payment in Calgary: 5.1 years

You currently need to save for 3.8 years in Alberta and 5.1 years in Calgary. In 10 years, this savings timeline has doubled as you only needed to save for 2.5 years to afford the minimum down payment in Calgary. 

Saskatchewan

Average house price: $333,100

Minimum down payment: $16,655

Salary average: $52,100

Time to save for a down payment in Saskatchewan: 3.2 years

Major city: Saskatoon

Average house price in Saskatoon: $384,200

Minimum down payment: $19,210

Time to save for a down payment in Saskatoon: 3.7 years

In Saskatchewan, it will take 3.2 years to save up while in Saskatoon, it will take you slightly longer, at 3.7 years. In the last year, home prices in Saskatchewan have remained relatively stable, so if you’re looking for your forever home and relocating sounds like a fun adventure, Saskatchewan could be a great place to call home. 

Manitoba

Average house price: $352,352

Minimum down payment: $17,618

Salary average: $49,300

Time to save for a down payment in Manitoba: 3.6 years

Major city: Winnipeg

Average house price in Winnipeg: $347,200

Minimum down payment: $17,360

Time to save for a down payment in Winnipeg: 3.5 years

In Manitoba, you’ll need to save for 3.6 years on average, while in the city of Winnipeg, you can own a home just a little sooner, needing to save for 3.5 years. Home prices in Manitoba have remained fairly stable in the past year, so this province could be a great option for buyers looking to become homeowners who are up for a new adventure. 

New Brunswick

Average house price: $292,300

Minimum down payment: $14,615

Salary average: $47,400

Time to save for a down payment in New Brunswick: 3.1 years

Major city: Saint John

Average house price in Saint John: $293,800

Minimum down payment: $14,690

Time to save for a down payment in Saint John: 3.1 years

New Brunswick has one of the shortest durations needed to save for both province and city where it will take 3.1 years to save. Home prices in the area have also remained consistent over the year, making this province one of the most affordable in Canada. 

Prince Edward Island

Average house price: $360,700

Minimum down payment: $18,035

Salary average: $46,500

Time to save for a down payment in PEI: 3.9 years

Major city: Charlottetown

Average house price in Charlottetown: $407,000

Minimum down payment: $20,350

Time to save for a down payment in Charlottetown: 4.4 years

It will take 3.9 years to save in PEI and even longer in Charlottetown, where you will need to save for 4.4 years before being able to purchase a home. 

Nova Scotia

Average house price: $401,000

Minimum down payment: $20,050

Salary average: $48,100

Time to save for a down payment in Nova Scotia: 4.2 years

Major city: Halifax

Average house price in Halifax: $529,900

Minimum down payment: $28,032

Time to save for a down payment in Halifax: 5.8 years

In Nova Scotia, you will need to save for 4.2 years or 5.8 years if you want to live in Halifax. Property market prices in this province are also on the rise, so it may take even longer to save up if you are looking to purchase here. 

Newfoundland and Labrador

Average house price: $289,800

Minimum down payment: $14,490

Salary average: $49,300

Time to save for a down payment in N&L: 2.9 years

Major city: St. John’s

Average house price in St. John’s: $332,800

Minimum down payment: $16,640

Time to save for a down payment in St. John’s: 3.4 years

NL has the shortest savings timeline out of all the provinces requiring just 2.9 years. If you want to live in St. John’s, you’ll need to save a little longer, as it will take 3.4 years to save enough for the average home in the city. 

Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut

Average house price: $504,764

Minimum down payment: $25,491

Salary average: $56,800

Time to save for a down payment in NW Territories: 4.5 years

Major city: Whitehorse

Average house price in Whitehorse: $570,500

Minimum down payment: $32,062

Time to save for a down payment in Whitehorse: 5.6 years

Surprisingly, the territories are not as affordable as many think. It will take you 4.5 years to save enough for the average home in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut and 5.6 years if you plan to live in Whitehorse. Coupled with astronomically high food prices in the north (about 4x more than the rest of Canada), saving up could take you even longer.  

Tips to Speed Up Saving for a Down Payment

While these figures might seem out of reach, don’t lose hope just yet. There are several strategies you can use to speed up your saving process.

Budgeting 

Having a clear budget can help you track your income and expenses, making it easier to see where your money is going and set aside money for your down payment. Once you have worked out a budget that you can stick with, automate your savings by transferring a set amount each month to a savings account like the First Home Savings Account (FHSA) or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

Reducing Unnecessary Expenses 

Cutting back on non-essential costs can free up additional funds for your savings. Budgeting can be a great way to help you identify areas where you spend more than you think. When you look closer at where your money is going, you might be surprised at how much you’re spending on things you don’t really need. 

You can increase your savings by making a few small changes to your spending habits. Once you have a budget that sets a budget for discretionary spending, you can put the money saved into your down payment fund. 

Increasing your Income 

Consider ways to boost your income, such as taking on a part-time job or freelancing. If you have a hobby that can easily be monetized, you can turn this into a side hustle to generate additional income that you put directly toward savings. Consider offering lessons if you have a skill you could teach others, or if crafting is your hobby, you can sell your handmade goods.  

Investing 

Wisely investing your money can generate returns contributing to your down payment. Investing your money can help you reach your goal faster. Rather than simply storing your money in a savings account with a low-interest rate, consider exploring different investment options that align with your financial goals. 

There are a variety of investment solutions and risk tolerance levels for even the most novice investor. Consider speaking with a financial advisor or using an investment platform that manages your portfolio. With a solid investment strategy in place, you’ll not only be able to save for a down payment quicker but also potentially grow your wealth in the long run. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) section, where we answer the most popular questions designed and crafted by our in-house mortgage experts to help you make informed mortgage financing decisions.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how long it takes to save for a down payment is the first step in the homeownership journey. Knowing the minimum amount you will need and the potential savings timeline will help you devise a strategic savings plan tailored to your budget and accelerate your path to purchasing your dream home. Looking at these numbers have you feeling down? Why not relocate to a more affordable province if you can’t afford to buy in yours? Contact nesto’s interprovincial mortgage experts and see how they can help you reduce your purchasing timeline and buy a home sooner.

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