Fredericton, Calgary Named The Best Places To Buy Real Estate In Canada

Homebuyers looking for good value should point themselves east or west — not toward Canada’s biggest cities. According to the 2025 “Where to Buy Real Estate in Canada” list by MoneySense and Zoocasa, Fredericton and Calgary topped the rankings for best home‑buying value. These two cities offer houses at a fraction of what you’d pay in Toronto or Vancouver, making them stand out in today’s market.

Fredericton, New Brunswick, claimed the number one spot thanks to its average home price of just $310,925. That price is nearly a third of what buyers pay in bigger centres. But affordability is only part of the story — home prices in Fredericton have climbed solidly. The city has seen year‑over‑year price growth of 11%, with three‑year and five‑year increases at 32% and 72% respectively. That steady rise reflects strong local demand and suggests its housing market is headed upward.

Calgary holds second place, with an average house price of $577,367. That’s higher than Fredericton but still much lower than in Toronto or Vancouver. Its market has posted solid gains too: 8% over one year, 29% over three, and 31% over five. Calgary also ranks high in household income—third in Canada—meaning buyers here can better afford homes than in most big cities.

Meanwhile, prices in Toronto and Vancouver are sky‑high but growth has slowed. In the Greater Toronto Area, homes average $1,087,700—making it the third‑least affordable market. Its value score is low, at just 2.33 out of five, because of minimal growth over recent years. Vancouver did even worse, ranking 39th, with a score of only 2.23, thanks to high costs and almost no price growth.

Not all smaller cities are bargains, though. Bancroft, Ontario, for example, ranks as the worst place to buy real estate in 2025. Despite a low average home price of $517,558, weak income levels and very slow growth (only 3% year over year) hurt its value score, leaving it at the bottom. That shows low cost alone doesn’t make a good buy if the economic base isn’t strong.

The report highlights a clear trend: buyers are moving away from crowded, expensive urban centres toward areas that offer both affordability and potential growth. Fredericton and Calgary stand out as leading choices because they combine reasonable prices with steady demand and rising incomes. As housing costs stay steady or dip in major cities, savvy buyers are turning their attention to places that give them more home for their money.