Ottawa Real Estate Statistics (2026)

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, has one of the most stable housing markets in the country. Supported by a large public-sector workforce, steady population growth, and a growing technology industry, Ottawa consistently attracts homebuyers who are seeking a balance between economic opportunities and affordability. 

Ottawa’s housing market, like many other major real estate markets in Canada, experienced significant price growth during the pandemic. Despite this, it remains considerably more affordable than Vancouver or Toronto. Limited housing supply, strong demand, and continuing population growth all continue to shape the real estate market in the area. 

Key 2026 Ottawa Real Estate Statistics

• At the end of 2025, the average home in Ottawa cost around $710.000. 
• Ottawa’s benchmark home price was approximately $640,000 in early 2026.
• In 2025, home prices increased by roughly 4% year-over-year. 
• Over 13,000 residential properties were sold in Ottave in 2025. 
• According to the 2021 Census, the Ottawa-Gatineau area had a population of around 1.49 million, with the population growing by just under 9% between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses. 
• Ottawa’s homeownership rate is around 66%. 
• Detached homes represent over half of residential sales in Ottawa. 
• The average home in Ottawa is approximately 40% lower than in Vancouver and 34% lower than in Toronto. 
• Detached homes fetch the highest prices, while condominiums offer more affordable options. 
• Ottawa is one of the most affordable metropolitan areas in Ontario. 

Ottawa Housing Market Overview

Ottawa is Ontario’s second-largest city and the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Canada when combined with the neighbouring area of Gatineau. According to Statistics Canada, the population of the Ottawa–Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area was around 1.49 million residents in 2021, with more recent estimates placing the region’s population at roughly 1.6 million. With a population growth of approximately 8.9% between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses, Ottawa-Gatineau is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in Canada. 

Ottawa’s housing market benefits greatly from a relatively stable economic base, which is supported by federal government employment as well as healthcare, education, and a growing technology sector. These factors have helped reduce some of the market volatility seen in other major housing markets in Canada, especially during periods of fast price growth and correction. 

The area’s strong population growth and limited supply of homes continue to support steady demand for residential real estate across the Ottawa-Gatineau region. 

Ottawa House Prices

Ottawa is one of the more affordable regions in Ontario to purchase a home, despite significant price growth over the last ten years. At the end of 2025, the average home in Ottawa cost approximately $710,000. While this represents a substantial increase compared to pre-pandemic levels, when the average price was around $500,000, Ottawa’s prices have remained considerably lower than in Toronto and Vancouver. 

In spring 2026,the benchmark prices in Ontario were approximately: 

• Detached homes: $765,000
• Semi-detached homes: $660,000
• Townhouses: $510,000
• Apartment condominiums: $435,000

Detached homes are the most expensive property type in Ottawa, while condominiums provide buyers with a more affordable entry point into the housing market. Compared with ten years ago, average home prices in Ottawa have increased by over 70%, which reflects sustained demand, population growth, and long-term supply issues in the area. 

Ottawa Real Estate Sales

Ottawa has one of the busiest housing markets in Canada. In 2025, over 13,000 residential properties were sold across the region. This sales activity was below the record highs seen during the 2020-2021 pandemic period. However, it was still stronger than historical averages, indicating steady demand for homes. 

In Ottawa, detached homes account for the largest share of transactions, followed by townhouses and condominiums. During parts of 2025, sales activity improved as buyers adjusted to higher mortgage rates. Compared with cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, Ottawa has experienced more stable sales volumes, supported by its strong local economy and less extreme affordability issues than the largest housing markets in Canada. 

Housing Supply in Ottawa

The supply of homes remains one of the key issues that influences Ottawa’s housing market. The number of homes available for sale increased during 2025 compared with 2024, helping to create more balanced housing market conditions. However, the number of available homes has remained below historical averages in many neighbourhoods, especially in the most desirable areas. 

The increase in listings has given buyers more choice and greater negotiating power, which has helped slow the pace of price growth. During 2025, market conditions moved closer to a balanced market, with the number of available homes approaching a range typically associated with a balanced housing market. 

Detached homes are still harder to find in the Ottawa region than condominiums, and some suburban areas have experienced larger increases in available homes than neighbourhoods situated closer to the city centre. Despite some improvements, Ottawa’s continued population growth and immigration are still placing pressure on the city’s housing market and supporting long-term demand for homes. 

Homeownership in Ottawa

Ottawa’s homeownership rate is very close to the national average. Based on the 2021 Census, around 66% of households in Ottawa live in owner-occupied homes, compared to the national average of 66.5%. Ottawa has a considerably higher homeownership rate than Montreal (41%) and Vancouver (47.8%), and was similar to Toronto (about 66%). The city’s homeownership rate is slightly lower than Calgary’s (68%) and Edmonton’s (70%), which have the highest ownership rates among major cities in Canada. 

Homeownership rates in Ottawa vary greatly by age, income, and household type. Couples are more likely to own a home than single individuals, and ownership rates increase with household income. Ottawa’s established immigrants have higher ownership rates than recent arrivals. Cómpared to cities with more expensive real estate, such as Toronto or Vancouver, Ottawa has higher homeownership rates among middle-income households and younger families thanks to its more affordable housing. 

Ottawa Housing Affordability

Ottawa has one of the more affordable large housing markets in Canada. The average home in Ottawa cost approximately $710,000 at the end of 2025, compared to about $962,300 in the Greater Toronto Area and $1.14 million in Greater Vancouver. Ottawa was more expensive than Calgary ($565,100), Edmonton ($418,500), and Winnipeg ($400,000). However, it has remained less expensive than Canada’s largest housing markets and sits roughly in the middle of the affordability spectrum among Canadian major cities. 

Although affordability in Ottawa has declined over the last ten years due to rising home prices and the higher cost of loans, homeownership in the city remains accessible to a wider range of households than in Toronto or Vancouver. Mortgage qualification requirements are often easier to meet, especially for condominiums and townhouses, which provide residents with lower-cost entry points into the housing market. 

However, rising home prices continue to create challenges for Ottawa’s first-time buyers. Many younger households have responded by choosing smaller properties, moving to the suburbs, or remaining in rental properties for longer periods. 

Ottawa Real Estate Forecast

Real estate analysts largely expect Ottawa’s housing market to remain stable for the rest of 2026 and into 2027. Ottawa’s strong employment market, population growth, and immigration continue to support demand for homes. Increased supply may help moderate price growth, but the number of available homes remains constrained in many parts of the Ottawa region. 

Many forecasts predict modest increases in both prices and home sales in the area as borrowing conditions improve gradually. The city’s economic stability and relative affordability compared to markets such as Toronto and Vancouver are expected to remain as important advantages for Ottawa’s housing market. 

Continued population growth in Ottawa and neighbouring Gatineau is also expected to support demand for homes. While real estate experts do not expect to see price increases similar to those seen during the pandemic years, they expect to see steady market activity and gradual price growth over the coming years.