Ottawa Housing Market Outlook 2026

On this page

Ottawa’s Spring Market Stays Balanced as Prices Hold Steady

According to the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) for April 2026, Ottawa’s housing market continued its seasonal rebound, with sales rising month-over-month from March. Inventory levels remain elevated but stable, and prices are holding remarkably flat on a year-over-year basis.

• The average sale price in April was $712,184, up 0.8% year-over-year, while the median price was $650,000, unchanged from April 2025. Year-to-date, the average is $683,303, and the median is $630,000. Prices have barely moved in either direction, pointing to a market that has found its equilibrium.
• Year-to-date sales through April reached 3,839, down 4.4% from 2025, but with improving monthly momentum. The sales-to-new-listings ratio came in at 41%, consistent with balanced conditions. Median days on market ticked up to 21 from 18 a year ago. New listings year-to-date are up 8.5% at 8,933, while active listings have risen 16%.
• Ottawa’s government-driven employment base continues to provide a floor under housing demand that cities like Toronto and Vancouver lack. OREB has pointed to the combined federal and provincial HST rebate on new homes as a potential catalyst for increased activity heading into summer. For buyers in the $500,000 to $700,000 range, conditions are about as favourable as they’ve been in three years.

Ottawa’s stability makes it a strong market for a thoughtful, unhurried purchase. Whether you’re looking at mortgage rates or exploring your options, nesto mortgage experts can help you find the right fit for a move to the capital city.

---

Ottawa Housing Market Highlights

• The average selling price of a home in Ottawa decreased by 0.9% year-over-year to $629,800 in April.
• The average selling price of a single-family home in Ottawa decreased by 0.5% year-over-year to $717,200 in April.
• The average selling price of a townhouse/multiplex in Ottawa increased by 4.5% year-over-year to $599,600 in April.
• The average selling price of a condo in Ottawa decreased by 5.6% year-over-year to $379,700 in April.
• The average rent in Ottawa is now $2,151 for April.
• May 23, 2026: Today’s lowest mortgage rate in Ottawa is 4.14% 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 April was $629,800, and itdecreased of 0.9% compared to a year ago.

OREB also reported a sales-to-new-listings ratio (SNLR) of 41%, indicating Balanced market conditions in Ottawa for April.

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

---

Ottawa Market Rents Snapshot

The average rent in Ottawa was $2,151 for the month of April.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $1,945 for the month of April, which decreased by 3.2% year over year.

The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $2,472 for the month of April, which decreased by 4% year over year.

Rental Price Changes by City

Rank	City	Total Average	1 Bedroom	2 Bedrooms	Year-over-Year Change
1	North Vancouver	$3,001	$2,523	$3,358	−5.7%
2	Vancouver	$2,679	$2,358	$3,317	−2.8%
3	Toronto	$2,504	$2,208	$2,863	−2.1%
4	North York	$2,488	$2,098	$2,654	−1.4%
5	Burnaby	$2,484	$2,119	$2,774	−6.7%
6	Oakville	$2,464	$2,201	$2,582	−13.9%
7	Etobicoke	$2,431	$2,111	$2,639	−4.1%
8	Kanata	$2,424	$2,248	$2,569	−7.9%
9	Coquitlam	$2,416	$2,125	$2,677	−9.7%
10	Burlington	$2,376	$2,124	$2,442	−5.2%
11	Mississauga	$2,355	$2,062	$2,440	−5.4%
12	Vaughan	$2,314	$2,078	$2,586	−1.3%
13	Langley	$2,289	$1,946	$2,456	−1.7%
14	Victoria	$2,271	$1,968	$2,607	−2.2%
15	Halifax	$2,256	$2,030	$2,534	−2.4%
16	Scarborough	$2,250	$1,895	$2,373	−6.3%
17	Brampton	$2,228	$1,939	$2,283	0.90%
18	Kingston	$2,228	$1,887	$2,333	12.40%
19	Waterloo	$2,210	$2,029	$2,358	−3.2%
20	Ajax	$2,192	$1,983	$2,196	−0.1%
21	East York	$2,186	$1,863	$2,498	−3.0%
22	Guelph	$2,171	$1,917	$2,231	−6.4%
23	Ottawa	$2,151	$1,945	$2,472	−4.0%
24	New Westminster	$2,145	$1,942	$2,684	−1.1%
25	Barrie	$2,128	$1,912	$2,229	−1.3%
26	Surrey	$2,108	$1,801	$2,183	−9.8%
27	Laval	$2,073	$1,708	$2,360	11.20%
28	Kamloops	$2,064	$1,837	$2,103	−3.3%
29	Kelowna	$2,051	$1,739	$2,219	−4.0%
30	Greater Sudbury	$2,026	$1,795	$2,186	−10.8%
31	Cambridge	$2,019	$1,812	$2,109	−4.5%
32	Nanaimo	$2,015	$1,820	$2,213	1.20%
33	Peterborough	$2,008	$1,729	$1,984	−1.3%
34	Airdrie	$1,999	$1,501	$1,771	0.30%
35	Hamilton	$1,981	$1,717	$2,317	6.20%
36	Montreal	$1,971	$1,793	$2,341	3.00%
37	Oshawa	$1,964	$1,713	$2,016	−5.6%
38	Brantford	$1,929	$1,752	$2,103	4.90%
39	London	$1,925	$1,680	$2,055	−4.6%
40	Brossard	$1,913	$1,726	$2,030	−12.5%
41	Kitchener	$1,889	$1,714	$2,061	−6.6%
42	Calgary	$1,869	$1,522	$1,842	−3.7%
43	Niagara Falls	$1,845	$1,688	$1,999	−3.4%
44	St. Catharines	$1,800	$1,621	$1,895	−3.9%
45	Gatineau	$1,780	$1,592	$1,895	−8.0%
46	Welland	$1,769	$1,576	$1,927	5.10%
47	Côte Saint-Luc	$1,751	$1,443	$2,006	−13.2%
48	Sarnia	$1,693	$1,493	$1,789	−4.5%
49	Winnipeg	$1,662	$1,446	$1,793	0.80%
50	Windsor	$1,615	$1,482	$1,790	−9.1%
51	Edmonton	$1,603	$1,279	$1,637	−1.0%
52	Red Deer	$1,585	$1,340	$1,523	−0.7%
53	Saskatoon	$1,534	$1,323	$1,562	−0.8%
54	Lethbridge	$1,500	$1,332	$1,519	−1.1%
55	Quebec City	$1,481	$1,323	$1,683	−3.3%
56	Regina	$1,452	$1,301	$1,533	1.60%
57	Medicine Hat	$1,403	$1,240	$1,394	0.30%
58	Fort McMurray	$1,357	$1,164	$1,410	−1.0%
59	Lloydminster	$1,264	$1,069	$1,333	6.10%
60	St. John's	$1,125	$1,073	$1,249	5.60%

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 $533.64 per month on nesto’s lowest fixed 5-year rate at 4.14% 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%.

---

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

---

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.

---