How today's mortgage rates change Calgary affordability, by community type
At 4.34%, the lowest insured 5-year fixed rate collected from lenders that lend in Alberta, carrying the City of Calgary's median 2026 detached assessment of $718,500 with the minimum down payment takes about $157,000 of household income. Every half point higher adds thousands more, as the tables below show.
Figures as of Nov 2, 2026.What does each Calgary community type cost at today's rate?
The City groups communities by when they were built and how they're developing. The same kind of home costs very different amounts across them, and the rate you get sets how much income you need.
| Community type | Median assessed value | Down payment | Monthly cost | Income needed | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inner city Older established neighbourhoods near downtown, many infills. | $914,500 | $66,450 | $5,410.11 | $198,000 | 15,969 |
| Built in the 1950s Post-war suburbs: bungalows on larger lots. | $714,500 | $46,450 | $4,279.76 | $156,000 | 33,402 |
| 1960s–70s suburbs Established suburbs, split-levels and bungalows. | $651,000 | $40,100 | $3,920.88 | $143,000 | 60,414 |
| 1980s–90s suburbs Curving-street suburbs with two-storey homes. | $689,000 | $43,900 | $4,135.65 | $151,000 | 67,439 |
| 2000s suburbs Newer suburbs on the city's edge in the 2000s. | $721,500 | $47,150 | $4,319.33 | $158,000 | 64,952 |
| 2010s suburbs Communities built out in the 2010s. | $732,000 | $48,200 | $4,378.67 | $160,000 | 24,371 |
| 2020s communities The newest communities, still filling in. | $715,750 | $46,575 | $4,286.83 | $157,000 | 6,966 |
| Building out Developing communities still under construction. | $825,000 | $57,500 | $4,904.28 | $179,000 | 33,423 |
Monthly cost = mortgage payment (25 years, CMHC premium added) + Calgary 2026 property tax + $100 heating. Income needed passes CMHC's 39% GDS limit at the stress-test rate with no other debts. Assessed values are the City's estimates of market value on 2025-07-01, not sale prices. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary.
How much does a rate rise move the income you need?
| Home (City median) | 4.34% | 4.84% | 5.34% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment condo · $301,000 | $76,000 | $79,000 | $82,000 |
| Townhouse · $438,000 | $104,000 | $108,000 | $112,000 |
| Semi-detached / duplex unit · $580,500 | $129,000 | $134,000 | $139,000 |
| Detached house · $718,500 | $157,000 | $164,000 | $170,000 |
| Price | $651,000City median for 1960s–70s suburbs detached, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Down payment | $40,100the minimum |
| Rate | 4.34%ATB Financial, collected Nov 1, 2026 |
| Mortgage incl. CMHC premium | $635,336 |
| Monthly cost | $3,920.88payment + Calgary tax + $100 heating |
| Qualifying rate | 6.34% |
| Household income needed | $143,00039% GDS, no other debts |
Open this example in the calculator →Computed Nov 2, 2026.
What this means for you
- Shop the rate first: a quarter point lower can bring a home within reach; compare ATB and the credit unions on the Alberta board.
- Pick the community type, then the home: the same income buys a very different home in an inner-city community than in a 1960s–70s suburb.
- Community detail: for each community's market, see CalgaryMortgages.ca; for rental and community data, CalgaryMortgageCalculator.com.
Assessed values are the City's estimates of market value on 2025-07-01, not sale prices. Condo fees are illustrative. Medians need at least 50 homes. 9 community types.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – City of Calgary. Source: The City of Calgary, Current Year Property Assessments (Parcel), open data, effective October 29, 2026. Checked .Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to buy a house in Calgary?
For the City of Calgary's 2026 median detached assessment ($718,500), about $157,000 of household income with the minimum down payment, at 4.34% and the stress test, with no other debts. A median apartment condo ($301,000) needs about $76,000 with $500 a month in condo fees.
How does a rate rise change what I can afford in Calgary?
Each half point adds to the income lenders require. For the median detached assessment, the income needed goes from $157,000 at 4.34% to $170,000 at 5.34%.
Are assessed values the same as sale prices?
No. The City assesses market value as of 2025-07-01 for property tax. Homes often sell above or below their assessment, so treat these as a guide to how community types compare.
Primary sources
- The City of Calgary — Current Year Property Assessments (Parcel), open data (effective October 29, 2026). Checked .
- The City of Calgary — Community District Boundaries (community structure), open data. Checked .
- The City of Calgary — Open Government Licence – City of Calgary (v2.1). Checked .
- The City of Calgary — Property tax bill: how it's calculated (2026 rates). Checked .
- CMHC — Calculating GDS / TDS. Checked .
- OSFI — Minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages (effective January 29, 2026). Checked .