26
$399,900
$450/sqft
2 bd · 1 ba · 888 sqft
#101, 611 Blackford Street
New Westminster · Apartment/Condo
Listed by Oakwyn Realty EncoreMLS® R3133965
Affordability
What you can afford in BC
The median BC home asks $769,999. With 20% down, most buyers need about $144,000 a year. Enter your numbers below.
- Cities compared
- 49
- Median price to income
- 9.3x
- Widest gap
- West Vancouver
- Narrowest gap
- Fort St. John
Source: 2021 Census and current MLS® asking prices.
Your numbers
$
$
$
Price you can likely afford
Up to $420,000
A payment of $1,778 a month at 4.49%, tested at 6.49%.
An estimate, not a pre-approval.
- Cities compared
- 49
- Median price to income
- 9.3x
- Widest gap
- West Vancouver
- Narrowest gap
- Fort St. John
Source: 2021 Census and current MLS® asking prices.
Homes up to $420,000 in BC
7,521 active listingsOpen these BC homes on the map
Draw an area and save homes you like.
19
$189,900
#7, 4622 Sinclair Bay Road
Pender Harbour · Land
Listed by Royal LePage SussexMLS® R3121252
41
$359,000
$594/sqft
1 bd · 1 ba · 604 sqft
#203, 1602 Quadra Street
Victoria · Single Family
Listed by Sutton Group West Coast RealtyMLS® 1046765
31
$350,000
$384/sqft
2 bd · 1 ba · 912 sqft
#112, 10644 151a Street
Surrey · Apartment/Condo
Listed by RE/MAX 2000 RealtyMLS® R3165179
30
$405,000
$424/sqft
2 bd · 2 ba · 956 sqft
#10, 2625 Muir Road
Courtenay · Single Family
Listed by REMAX Ocean Pacific (Crtny)MLS® 1053607
26
$280,000
$332/sqft
2 bd · 2 ba · 844 sqft
#205, 3033 OSPIKA Boulevard
Prince George · Single Family
Listed by RE/MAX Core RealtyMLS® R3181146
NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The information contained on this site is based in whole or in part on information that is provided by members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), who are responsible for its accuracy. CREA reproduces and distributes this information as a service for its members and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and REALTOR® are trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
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How lenders decide
The down payment
At least 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest, and 20% from $1.50M.
The stress test
Lenders test you at your rate plus two points, or 5.25% if higher. Here that is 6.49%.
Debt ratios
Housing can take up to 39% of income before tax, and housing plus other debts up to 44%.
Income needed by city
Median asking price with 20% down, tested at 6.49%.
| City | Median asking | Income needed | Median income | Price to income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Vancouver | $2,998,000 | $531,000 | $104,000 | 28.8x |
| Whistler | $1,749,000 | $314,000 | $99,000 | 17.7x |
| Vancouver | $1,349,900 | $244,000 | $82,000 | 16.5x |
| White Rock | $1,129,500 | $206,000 | $73,000 | 15.5x |
| Duncan | $799,900 | $149,000 | $53,200 | 15x |
| Gibsons | $949,000 | $175,000 | $70,000 | 13.6x |
| Richmond | $1,048,800 | $192,000 | $79,000 | 13.3x |
| Saanich | $1,099,000 | $201,000 | $93,000 | 11.8x |
| Delta | $1,260,000 | $229,000 | $108,000 | 11.7x |
| Parksville | $768,075 | $143,000 | $66,500 | 11.6x |
| Qualicum Beach | $870,000 | $161,000 | $76,500 | 11.4x |
| Sechelt | $799,000 | $149,000 | $73,500 | 10.9x |
| Victoria | $722,000 | $135,000 | $67,500 | 10.7x |
| Oliver | $735,000 | $138,000 | $68,500 | 10.7x |
| North Vancouver | $1,298,000 | $235,000 | $123,000 | 10.6x |
| Coquitlam | $965,900 | $178,000 | $92,000 | 10.5x |
| Maple Ridge | $1,100,000 | $201,000 | $105,000 | 10.5x |
| Hope | $663,000 | $125,000 | $64,000 | 10.4x |
| Burnaby | $858,000 | $159,000 | $83,000 | 10.3x |
| Surrey | $999,900 | $184,000 | $98,000 | 10.2x |
| Courtenay | $735,000 | $138,000 | $72,000 | 10.2x |
| Lake Country | $980,000 | $180,000 | $98,000 | 10x |
| Port Moody | $1,098,000 | $201,000 | $115,000 | 9.5x |
| Kelowna | $769,999 | $144,000 | $82,000 | 9.4x |
| Squamish | $1,029,000 | $189,000 | $111,000 | 9.3x |
| Langley | $989,850 | $182,000 | $108,000 | 9.2x |
| Penticton | $625,000 | $119,000 | $68,000 | 9.2x |
| Summerland | $750,000 | $140,000 | $82,000 | 9.1x |
| Abbotsford | $799,900 | $149,000 | $90,000 | 8.9x |
| Nanaimo | $675,000 | $127,000 | $75,500 | 8.9x |
| Mission | $875,000 | $162,000 | $98,000 | 8.9x |
| Chilliwack | $749,900 | $140,000 | $85,000 | 8.8x |
| Port Coquitlam | $899,444 | $166,000 | $102,000 | 8.8x |
| Salmon Arm | $659,000 | $124,000 | $75,000 | 8.8x |
| Sooke | $779,900 | $145,000 | $90,000 | 8.7x |
| Port Alberni | $539,900 | $104,000 | $62,800 | 8.6x |
| New Westminster | $699,000 | $131,000 | $82,000 | 8.5x |
| Vernon | $620,000 | $118,000 | $73,500 | 8.4x |
| Campbell River | $649,900 | $123,000 | $78,000 | 8.3x |
| Powell River | $545,000 | $105,000 | $67,000 | 8.1x |
| Langford | $699,900 | $132,000 | $93,000 | 7.5x |
| Kamloops | $639,900 | $121,000 | $88,000 | 7.3x |
| West Kelowna | $725,000 | $136,000 | $99,000 | 7.3x |
| Osoyoos | $449,000 | $88,000 | $66,000 | 6.8x |
| Merritt | $379,950 | $76,000 | $70,000 | 5.4x |
| Quesnel | $325,000 | $66,000 | $67,000 | 4.9x |
| Prince George | $394,000 | $78,000 | $88,000 | 4.5x |
| Dawson Creek | $362,500 | $73,000 | $81,000 | 4.5x |
| Fort St. John | $386,950 | $77,000 | $102,000 | 3.8x |
What the numbers say about British Columbia
The median home here costs about 9.3 times the median yearly household income.
West Vancouver is highest at 28.8 times local income. Fort St. John is lowest at 3.8.
Incomes are from the 2021 Census. Prices are current asking prices.
What the payment figures assume
- A 4.49% rate over 25 years. An illustration, not a quote.
- Income needed uses 20% down.
- Tested at 6.49%.
- Principal and interest only.
Questions
What income do you need to buy a home in BC?
At the $769,999 median asking price, with 20% down and no other debt, about $144,000 a year in household income.
What can $80,000 a year buy in BC?
With $100,000 saved and no other debt, about $420,000. This is an affordability estimate, not a pre-approval.
Borrowing costs
What money costs right now
The rates behind every payment estimate on this site.
- Prime rate
- 4.45%
- Variable mortgages are quoted against this.
- 5 year bond yield
- 3.58%
- Fixed mortgage pricing follows this.
- Policy rate
- 2.50%
- Set by the Bank of Canada.
These are benchmark rates, not mortgage quotes. Your rate depends on the lender, the term, and your file.
Source: Bank of Canada. As of 2026-10-29
Prepared by
Written and maintained by Ray Rasouli, REALTOR®, licensed in British Columbia and founder of Relta Real Estate.
Data
Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census and BCRES MLS® listings.
NOTE: This representation is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board or Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The information contained on this site is based in whole or in part on information that is provided by members of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), who are responsible for its accuracy. CREA reproduces and distributes this information as a service for its members and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. MLS®, Multiple Listing Service®, and REALTOR® are trademarks of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
CorrectionsReport a correction
A mortgage broker can confirm what you qualify for.
Payment figures are examples at an illustrative rate, not a rate quote, an approval, or financial advice.