Vancouver continues to make headlines for affordability trends, and this past quarter brought a notable shift. In Late-Q2 2026, our city recorded the largest gain in affordability among major Canadian markets. While mortgage rates remained steady, it was the 2.9% dip in representative home prices that provided relief—reflected in a 2.6-point drop in the mortgage-payment-to-income ratio. Even with this progress, Vancouver remains Canada’s least affordable market, where the typical mortgage payment still takes up 79.4% of median income. What’s significant here is the evolving dynamic: economists are pointing to falling prices, rather than interest rates, as the primary driver behind improved affordability. Vancouver was one of six markets to see these gains, highlighting the growing importance of price moderation for buyers and investors. With over 16 years guiding families and investors through Vancouver’s ever-shifting landscape, I’m always focused on how these underlying trends shape both opportunity and strategy—especially for those building long-term value in our marketplace.
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