Ottawa Housing Market Outlook 2026
Ottawa Listings Surge While Sales Hold Near August Levels
According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), 1,010 homes sold in Ottawa in September 2026, down 6.6% from September 2025 but up 0.8% from August, a month when sales usually fall. New listings rose 3% to 2,927, up from a year earlier.
- The composite benchmark price was $623,500, down 0.3% YoY and 2.2% from August. The average sale price was $685,640 (down 1% YoY), and the median was $625,000 (down 0.8%).
- Single-family sales fell 4.6% YoY to 535, townhouse sales fell 3.5% to 329, and apartment sales fell 24.8% to 121, and the three-month summer total of 3,336 sales was down 8.2% YoY.
- Active listings rose 7.9% YoY to 4,813, and the sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) fell to 34.5% from 38% a year earlier.
OREB flagged weaker absorption as a key signal to watch this fall: the gap between homes coming onto the market and homes selling widened in September. New listings have fallen in both October and November in each of the past 10 years, so the coming months will show whether September’s influx fades with the usual seasonal pattern or keeps inventory elevated. Suburban areas accounted for nearly three-quarters of September sales.
Contact our nesto mortgage experts and compare mortgage rates in Ottawa before you shop a market where listings are rising faster than sales.
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Ottawa Housing Market Highlights
- The average selling price of a home in Ottawa decreased by 0.30% year-over-year to $623,500 in September 2026.
- The average selling price of a single-family home in Ottawa decreased by 0.07% year-over-year to $705,100 in September 2026.
- The average selling price of a townhouse/multiplex in Ottawa decreased by 2.17% year-over-year to $546,500 in September 2026.
- The average selling price of a condo in Ottawa decreased by 6.14% year-over-year to $380,800 in September 2026.
- October 28, 2026: Today’s lowest mortgage rate in Ottawa is 4.59% 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 September 2026 was $623,500, and it decreased by 0.30% compared to a year ago.
OREB also reported a sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) of 34.5%, indicating buyers market conditions in Ottawa for September 2026.
| Ottawa | Composite Price September 2026 | Composite Price August 2026 | YoY Change (%) | MoM Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Family Home | $705,100 | $726,700 | decreased by 0.07% | decreased by 2.97% |
| Townhouse/Multiplex | $546,500 | $547,300 | decreased by 2.17% | decreased by 0.15% |
| Condo / Apartments | $380,800 | $392,900 | decreased by 6.14% | decreased by 3.08% |
| Composite | $623,500 | $637,700 | decreased by 0.30% | decreased by 2.23% |
Ottawa Home Price Changes Over The Last Decade
Composite Home Prices
The average selling price of a home in Ottawa was $623,500 for the month of September 2026, that’s decreased by 2.23% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, Ottawa home prices have decreased by 0.30%.
Composite Home Prices in Ottawa
Monthly changes to Ottawa’s composite home prices over the last 10 years.
Single-Family Home Prices
The average selling price of a single-family home in Ottawa was $705,100 for the month of September 2026; that’s decreased by 2.97% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, single-family home prices in Ottawa have decreased by 0.07%.
Single-Family Home Prices in Ottawa
Monthly changes to Ottawa’s single-family home prices over the last 10 years.
Townhouse and Multiplex Prices
The average selling price of a townhouse in Ottawa was $546,500 for the month of September 2026; that’s decreased by 0.15% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, the price of a townhouse in Ottawa has decreased by 2.17%.
Townhouse and Multiplex Prices in Ottawa
Monthly changes to Ottawa’s townhouse and multiplex home prices over the last 10 years.
Condo Prices
The average selling price of a condo in Ottawa was $380,800 for the month of September 2026; that’s decreased by 3.08% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, the price of a condo in Ottawa has decreased by 6.14%.
Condo Prices in Ottawa
Monthly changes to Ottawa’s condominium apartment home prices over the last 10 years.
Ottawa Housing Market Conditions
Number of Home Sales
Ottawa home sales were 1,010 during September 2026, that’s increased by 0.80% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, home sale transactions in Ottawa have decreased by 7.25%.
Home Sales Volume in Ottawa
Ottawa’s MLS home sale volume over the past 12 months.
New Listings
New listings in Ottawa totalled 2,927 during September 2026 and increased by 38.13% month-over-month. On a year-over-year basis, new listings in Ottawa have increased by 3.35%.
New Listings in Ottawa
Ottawa’s MLS new listings over the past 12 months.
Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio (SNLR)
The sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) in Ottawa was 34.5% during September 2026, indicating a buyers market. On a monthly basis, that’s decreased by 27.06% month-over-month. Ottawa’s yearly sales-to-new-listings ratio has decreased by 10.39%.
SNLR in Ottawa
Monthly change in Ottawa’s sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) over the past 12 months.
The sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) measures home sales relative to new listings. An SNLR below 40% indicates a buyer’s market, where buyers hold the upper hand and greater negotiating power. An SNLR between 40% and 60% indicates a balanced market, while an SNLR over 60% indicates a seller’s market.
Market Conditions in Ottawa
| Oct 2025 | balanced market |
| Nov 2025 | sellers market |
| Dec 2025 | sellers market |
| Jan 2026 | balanced market |
| Feb 2026 | buyers market |
| Mar 2026 | balanced market |
| Apr 2026 | balanced market |
| May 2026 | balanced market |
| Jun 2026 | balanced market |
| Jul 2026 | balanced market |
| Aug 2026 | balanced market |
| Sep 2026 | buyers market |
SNLR — last 12 months
Monthly change in Ottawa’s market conditions over the past 12 months.
Short-Term Composite Home Price Trends in Ottawa
Monthly changes to Ottawa’s composite home price over the last 12 months.
Ottawa Market Rents Snapshot
The average rent in Ottawa was $2,200 in September 2026 and has decreased by 0.99% year over year.
The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $1,969 for September 2026 and has decreased by 0.10% year over year.
The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $2,445 for September 2026 and has decreased by 3.09% year over year.
Average Rents for Cities Across Canada
| Rank | City | Total Avg | 1 Bed | 2 Bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Vancouver | $3,028 | $2,466 | $3,477 |
| 2 | Vancouver | $2,754 | $2,373 | $3,271 |
| 3 | Burnaby | $2,564 | $2,111 | $2,785 |
| 4 | Toronto | $2,556 | $2,220 | $2,937 |
| 5 | North York | $2,528 | $2,093 | $2,692 |
| 6 | Kanata | $2,501 | $2,265 | $2,691 |
| 7 | Coquitlam | $2,482 | $2,053 | $2,608 |
| 8 | Oakville | $2,460 | $2,165 | $2,703 |
| 9 | Etobicoke | $2,431 | $2,099 | $2,644 |
| 10 | Barrie | $2,397 | $2,148 | $2,552 |
| 11 | Burlington | $2,379 | $2,074 | $2,389 |
| 12 | Vaughan | $2,363 | $2,114 | $2,569 |
| 13 | Mississauga | $2,337 | $2,036 | $2,423 |
| 14 | Halifax | $2,324 | $2,002 | $2,508 |
| 15 | Brampton | $2,261 | $1,990 | $2,334 |
| 16 | Victoria | $2,253 | $1,987 | $2,632 |
| 17 | New Westminster | $2,241 | $1,881 | $2,734 |
| 18 | Langley | $2,239 | $1,868 | $2,426 |
| 19 | Surrey | $2,227 | $1,807 | $2,251 |
| 20 | Guelph | $2,225 | $1,961 | $2,292 |
| 21 | Ajax | $2,214 | $1,927 | $2,294 |
| 22 | Ottawa | $2,200 | $1,969 | $2,445 |
| 23 | Scarborough | $2,178 | $1,855 | $2,315 |
| 24 | Waterloo | $2,158 | $1,884 | $2,302 |
| 25 | Nanaimo | $2,157 | $1,897 | $2,261 |
| 26 | Kingston | $2,150 | $1,930 | $2,308 |
| 27 | Laval | $2,131 | $1,712 | $2,364 |
| 28 | Kelowna | $2,111 | $1,834 | $2,270 |
| 29 | Brossard | $2,083 | $1,790 | $2,190 |
| 30 | Cambridge | $2,055 | $1,863 | $2,143 |
| 31 | East York | $2,044 | $1,800 | $2,355 |
| 32 | Airdrie | $2,013 | $1,466 | $1,750 |
| 33 | Oshawa | $1,993 | $1,724 | $2,006 |
| 34 | Niagara Falls | $1,988 | $1,714 | $1,960 |
| 35 | Greater Sudbury | $1,982 | $1,745 | $2,076 |
| 36 | Montreal | $1,961 | $1,746 | $2,261 |
| 37 | Kamloops | $1,957 | $1,701 | $2,023 |
| 38 | Kitchener | $1,935 | $1,709 | $2,063 |
| 39 | Peterborough | $1,926 | $1,692 | $1,964 |
| 40 | Brantford | $1,923 | $1,780 | $2,033 |
| 41 | Hamilton | $1,910 | $1,657 | $2,130 |
| 42 | London | $1,897 | $1,628 | $1,998 |
| 43 | Calgary | $1,883 | $1,508 | $1,834 |
| 44 | St. Catharines | $1,830 | $1,518 | $1,959 |
| 45 | Welland | $1,792 | $1,540 | $1,920 |
| 46 | Gatineau | $1,769 | $1,625 | $1,810 |
| 47 | Côte Saint-Luc | $1,655 | $1,410 | $1,875 |
| 48 | Winnipeg | $1,653 | $1,435 | $1,764 |
| 49 | Windsor | $1,638 | $1,467 | $1,843 |
| 50 | Edmonton | $1,633 | $1,281 | $1,643 |
| 51 | Quebec City | $1,620 | $1,308 | $1,642 |
| 52 | Red Deer | $1,614 | $1,338 | $1,503 |
| 53 | Sarnia | $1,583 | $1,408 | $1,642 |
| 54 | Lethbridge | $1,573 | $1,355 | $1,558 |
| 55 | Saskatoon | $1,559 | $1,305 | $1,536 |
| 56 | Regina | $1,468 | $1,305 | $1,521 |
| 57 | Lloydminster | $1,392 | $1,108 | $1,422 |
| 58 | Fort McMurray | $1,386 | $1,147 | $1,372 |
| 59 | St. John's | $1,362 | $1,167 | $1,328 |
| 60 | Medicine Hat | $1,360 | $1,232 | $1,391 |
Source: Rentals.ca Network Data & Urbanation Inc.
Average Rent by Province
| LOCATION | Total | 1B | 2B | 3B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | $1,780 | $1,409 | $1,745 | $2,177 |
| BC | $2,231 | $1,904 | $2,355 | $2,850 |
| MB | $2,403 | $2,045 | $2,649 | $3,313 |
| ON | $1,649 | $1,428 | $1,751 | $2,008 |
| QC | $2,240 | $1,963 | $2,410 | $2,902 |
| SK | $1,933 | $1,694 | $2,144 | $2,558 |
| Atlantic Canada | $1,490 | $1,284 | $1,504 | $1,993 |
| Canada | $2,034 | $1,756 | $2,138 | $2,489 |
Average Rent by Property Type Across Canada
| TYPE | Total | 1B | 2B | 3B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment | $2,036 | $1,799 | $2,221 | $2,715 |
| Condominium | $2,052 | $1,844 | $2,161 | $2,769 |
| House/Townhouse | $2,016 | $1,311 | $1,732 | $2,299 |
| All | $2,034 | $1,756 | $2,138 | $2,489 |
How Does Renting Compare With Homeownership in Ottawa?
Each $100,000 in mortgage balance costs an average of $564 per month on nesto’s lowest fixed 5-year rate at 4.59%, and $503 per month on nesto’s lowest adjustable 5-year rate at 3.41%.
On the variable side, a 0.25% change in the Bank of Canada’s policy rate moves that payment by roughly $13.47 per $100,000 if rates rise, or $13.27 if they fall. Fixed payments aren’t affected the same way mid-term—a fixed rate is locked for the term and tracks bond yields, not the policy rate directly, so this sensitivity applies only to the variable side.
The interest rates used for the calculation are those offered on insured purchases with less than a 20% down payment, on a 25-year amortization, as of October 28, 2026 and are subject to change. Canada’s policy rate is 2.25%, and nesto’s prime rate is 4.45%.
We're curious…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Ottawa Housing Market in 2026
Are Ottawa Housing Market Conditions Favouring Buyers or Sellers in 2026?
Ottawa housing market conditions favour buyers in September 2026, with the sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) at 34.5%, below the 40% threshold that marks a buyer’s market. That compares with 47.3% in August and 38% a year earlier. New listings rose 3.0% from a year earlier and 38.1% from August to 2,927, while the 1,010 homes sold fell 6.6% year over year. Active listings rose 7.9% year over year to 4,813, so buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate than they did a year ago.
Are Home Prices in Ottawa Going Up or Down in 2026?
Home prices in Ottawa are roughly flat to slightly lower year over year in September 2026, and they slipped more clearly from August. The MLS Home Price Index composite benchmark was $623,500, down 0.3% year over year and 2.2% from $637,700 in August. The average sale price was $685,640, down 1.0% year over year, and the median was $625,000, down 0.8%. By property type, the single-family benchmark was $705,100 (down 0.1%), townhouses were $546,500 (down 2.2%) and condos were $380,800 (down 6.1%), so condos show the weakest pricing.
Why Did Home Sales in Ottawa Stay Near Their August Low in September?
Ottawa sales stayed near their August low in September because buyer activity did not rebound while listings kept arriving. OREB reported 1,010 sales in September, up 0.8% from August’s 1,002 and down 6.6% from September 2025, in a month when sales usually fall. The three-month summer total of 3,336 sales was down 8.2% year over year, and suburban areas accounted for nearly three-quarters of September sales.
What Does the Jump in New Listings Signal for Ottawa?
The jump in Ottawa’s new listings signals that supply is arriving faster than buyers are absorbing it. New listings reached 2,927 in September, up 38.1% from August and 3.0% from a year earlier, while sales rose only 0.8% from August. The SNLR fell to 34.5% from 47.3% in August, and active listings rose 7.9% year over year to 4,813. OREB flagged weaker absorption as a key signal to watch this fall. New listings have fallen in both October and November in each of the past 10 years, so the coming months will show whether September’s influx fades with the usual seasonal pattern or keeps inventory elevated.
What Ottawa Property Type Weakened Most in September?
Apartments weakened most in Ottawa in September, with sales down 24.8% year over year to 121 units. Single-family sales fell 4.6% to 535, and townhouse sales fell 3.5% to 329. Prices point the same way: the condo benchmark fell 6.1% year over year to $380,800, the largest decline of any property type, while the single-family benchmark was nearly unchanged at $705,100 (down 0.1%) and townhouses fell 2.2% to $546,500.
Is It Cheaper to Rent or Buy in Ottawa in 2026?
Renting versus buying in Ottawa in 2026 depends more on your time horizon than on recent price moves, because both rents and prices are close to flat. The average rent was $2,200 in September, unchanged from August and down 1.0% year over year. One-bedroom rents averaged $1,969 (down 0.1%) and two-bedroom rents averaged $2,445 (down 3.1%), while the composite home price benchmark was down 0.3% year over year. The cheaper option over time depends on how long it takes to save the down payment, how long you plan to stay and the mortgage rate you qualify for.
Why Choose nesto
At nesto, our commission-free mortgage experts are salaried and regulated, with most licensed in multiple provinces. They are evaluated on client satisfaction and the quality of their advice, and they help you compare mortgage options and understand rates and qualification requirements. Once you’re ready to move forward, they work with you on a mortgage strategy that fits your situation.
nesto pairs expert advice with a 100% digital, transparent and seamless process, and a dedicated mortgage professional supports you throughout your purchase, renewal or refinance.
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