Ottawa Housing Market Outlook 2026

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Ottawa Holds Steady as Spring Activity Builds

According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), 1,616 homes sold across the National Capital Region in May 2026, a healthy lift from 1,336 in April but still 10.6% below last spring. Ottawa tends to move at its own measured pace. May fits the usual pattern: activity is rebuilding on schedule, prices are broadly flat, and the market remains balanced rather than dramatic. The average sale price came in at $721,270, down a slim 0.9% from last May, while the MLS Home Price Index benchmark rose 0.9% from April, even as it sat 0.6% below last year’s levels.

• Single-family homes are the steady anchor, with a benchmark of $723,800, up 0.3% over the past year, and a median sale price that climbed to $800,000, while the average held essentially flat from last May.
• Condo apartments remain the soft spot, continuing to lag as elevated supply works through the system, the same segment-level split showing up in markets from Toronto to Calgary.
• A benchmark that is ticking higher month to month while still sitting just under last year’s level is the signature of a market finding its footing, supported by a deeper bench of listings that has given buyers more room to choose.

With the Bank of Canada on hold and federal first-time buyer measures now in force, Ottawa offers a rare combination of stability and choice for buyers who plan. Start by comparing mortgage rates in Ottawa, then speak with nesto mortgage experts about a pre-qualification to assess your best mortgage strategy.

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Ottawa Housing Market Highlights

• The average selling price of a home in Ottawa decreased by 0.6% year-over-year to $635,300 in May.
• The average selling price of a single-family home in Ottawa increased by 0.3% year-over-year to $723,800 in May.
• The average selling price of a townhouse/multiplex in Ottawa decreased by 3.2% year-over-year to $557,500 in May.
• The average selling price of a condo in Ottawa decreased by 6.7% year-over-year to $385,500 in May.
• The average rent in Ottawa is now $2,140 for May.
• June 19, 2026: Today’s lowest mortgage rate in Ottawa is 4.09% for a 5-year fixed.

Data from the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) indicates that the average price of resale residential homes sold across Ottawa in May was $635,300, and itdecreased of 0.6% compared to a year ago.

OREB also reported a sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) of 48%, indicating Balanced market conditions in Ottawa for May.

Composite Home Prices

Single-family Home Prices

Townhouse and Multiplex Prices

Condo Prices

Transactions –  Number of Sales

New Listings

Real Estate Market

The sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) measures the number of home sales compared to new listings. An SNLR below 40% suggests a buyer’s market, where buyers have the upper hand and greater negotiating power. An SNLR between 40% and 60% is a balanced market, while an SNLR of over 60% is considered a seller’s market. 

Annual Changes to Composite Home Prices in Ottawa

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Ottawa Market Rents Snapshot

The average rent in Ottawa was $2,140 for the month of May.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $1,949 for the month of May, which decreased by 2.2% year over year.

The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $2,453 for the month of May, which decreased by 4.1% year over year.

Rental Price Changes by City

Rank	City	Total Average	1 Bedroom	2 Bedrooms	Year-over-Year Change
1	North Vancouver	$2,927	$2,445	$3,302	−7.7%
2	Vancouver	$2,712	$2,385	$3,330	−0.8%
3	Kanata	$2,543	$2,277	$2,812	3.30%
4	North York	$2,520	$2,136	$2,669	−1.4%
5	Toronto	$2,512	$2,212	$2,907	−0.9%
6	Coquitlam	$2,476	$2,128	$2,709	−6.6%
7	Oakville	$2,449	$2,224	$2,631	−10.3%
8	Burnaby	$2,446	$2,115	$2,727	−7.7%
9	Etobicoke	$2,431	$2,082	$2,651	−3.3%
10	Burlington	$2,384	$2,118	$2,465	−4.7%
11	Vaughan	$2,342	$2,065	$2,569	−3.2%
12	Mississauga	$2,335	$2,052	$2,448	−5.8%
13	Halifax	$2,319	$2,064	$2,570	−2.0%
14	Langley	$2,286	$1,975	$2,477	−1.1%
15	Victoria	$2,257	$2,009	$2,598	−3.9%
16	Brampton	$2,224	$1,935	$2,291	1.20%
17	Scarborough	$2,194	$1,868	$2,307	−9.1%
18	Guelph	$2,194	$1,910	$2,255	−3.4%
19	Ajax	$2,193	$1,902	$2,244	3.90%
20	Kingston	$2,179	$1,926	$2,297	10.20%
21	Barrie	$2,143	$1,918	$2,150	−3.5%
22	Ottawa	$2,140	$1,949	$2,453	−4.1%
23	East York	$2,138	$1,851	$2,345	−7.7%
24	Surrey	$2,135	$1,812	$2,249	−4.4%
25	New Westminster	$2,132	$1,892	$2,641	−4.6%
26	Waterloo	$2,106	$1,957	$2,265	−4.4%
27	Kelowna	$2,093	$1,786	$2,244	−3.7%
28	Laval	$2,063	$1,706	$2,349	11.20%
29	Cambridge	$2,062	$1,820	$2,166	−1.5%
30	Greater Sudbury	$2,043	$1,793	$2,150	−13.1%
31	Nanaimo	$2,027	$1,844	$2,244	3.10%
32	Kamloops	$2,009	$1,879	$2,113	−1.3%
33	Peterborough	$1,994	$1,751	$1,979	−0.8%
34	Airdrie	$1,991	$1,469	$1,794	1.30%
35	Hamilton	$1,989	$1,712	$2,318	10.10%
36	Montreal	$1,968	$1,789	$2,312	2.50%
37	Brossard	$1,964	$1,764	$2,114	−4.6%
38	Oshawa	$1,959	$1,737	$2,025	−2.5%
39	Brantford	$1,924	$1,791	$2,051	−0.8%
40	London	$1,917	$1,665	$2,050	−3.5%
41	Niagara Falls	$1,887	$1,660	$2,026	−5.9%
42	Calgary	$1,883	$1,534	$1,856	−4.5%
43	Kitchener	$1,879	$1,687	$2,041	−8.1%
44	St. Catharines	$1,865	$1,652	$1,942	−1.5%
45	Welland	$1,845	$1,619	$2,016	8.50%
46	Gatineau	$1,800	$1,617	$1,881	−9.8%
47	Côte Saint-Luc	$1,783	$1,485	$2,029	−13.2%
48	Windsor	$1,715	$1,522	$1,921	−1.3%
49	Winnipeg	$1,679	$1,469	$1,789	1.50%
50	Sarnia	$1,661	$1,476	$1,752	−4.6%
51	Edmonton	$1,605	$1,287	$1,641	−2.3%
52	Saskatoon	$1,572	$1,361	$1,590	3.40%
53	Red Deer	$1,561	$1,333	$1,507	−2.0%
54	Quebec City	$1,522	$1,295	$1,692	1.90%
55	Lethbridge	$1,495	$1,306	$1,518	−5.9%
56	Regina	$1,471	$1,322	$1,525	−3.2%
57	Fort McMurray	$1,384	$1,169	$1,414	−4.8%
58	Medicine Hat	$1,330	$1,197	$1,348	−3.2%
59	Lloydminster	$1,287	$1,055	$1,378	8.10%
60	St. John's	$1,139	$1,065	$1,253	4.70%

Average Rent by City
Source: Rentals.ca Network Data & Urbanation Inc.

Rental Price Changes by Province

Rental Price Growth by Housing Type

How Does Renting Compare with Homeownership in Ottawa?

Each $100,000 in mortgage balance costs an average of $530.91 per month on nesto’s lowest fixed 5-year rate at 4.09% and $495.28 per month on nesto’s lowest adjustable 5-year rate at 3.40%.

For each $100,000 in mortgage balance, a 0.25% change in Canada’s policy rate impacts the monthly payment by $13.23. The rates used for calculation are those offered for insured purchases with less than a 20% downpayment and a 25-year amortization. Canada’s policy rate is 2.25%, and nesto’s prime rate is set to 4.45%.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Ottawa Housing Market Outlook for 2026

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Why Choose nesto

At nesto, our commission-free mortgage experts, certified in multiple provinces, provide exceptional advice and service that exceeds industry standards. Our mortgage experts are salaried employees who provide impartial guidance on mortgage options tailored to your needs and are evaluated based on client satisfaction and the quality of their advice. nesto aims to transform the mortgage industry by providing honest advice and competitive rates through a 100% digital, transparent, and seamless process.

nesto is on a mission to offer a positive, empowering and transparent property financing experience – simplified from start to finish.

Contact our licensed and knowledgeable mortgage experts to find your best mortgage rate in Canada.

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