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Calgary Housing Market Shift: Migration Slowdown Signals Buyer-Friendly Conditions in 2026

After several years of strong population growth fueled by interprovincial migration, Calgary’s housing market is beginning to cool. A new outlook from the Conference Board of Canada shows a sharp decline in Canadians moving to Alberta—especially into Calgary—and the effects are already showing in local real estate.

In 2023 and 2024, Calgary welcomed more than 18,000 new residents annually from other provinces. However, that number dropped significantly in 2025 and is projected to fall further by 2030. As migration slows, housing demand is easing.

What This Means for Calgary Real Estate

  • Fewer buyers are active in the market.

  • Inventory levels are increasing.

  • Homes are taking longer to sell.

  • Multiple-offer situations are becoming rare.

  • Sales volume dropped over 14% late last year.

After years of strong seller’s market conditions, Calgary is now shifting toward a more balanced—or even buyer-friendly—market.

Why the Slowdown?

Several factors are contributing:

  • Reduced federal immigration targets

  • Economic uncertainty and U.S. tariffs

  • Rising cost of living

  • Housing affordability pressures

  • Strain on healthcare and school infrastructure

While Calgary is seeing a sharper cooling trend, Edmonton’s market remains more stable but could also soften depending on economic conditions.

What to Expect in 2026

Looking ahead, Calgary’s housing market will likely be influenced by:

  • Oil price trends

  • Economic stability

  • Migration levels

  • Interest rate movements

For buyers, this shift may create more negotiating power and improved inventory options. For sellers, pricing strategy and market positioning will become more important than ever.

Full article  is here https://calgary.citynews.ca/2026/01/06/alberta-migration-slowdown-calgary-housing/

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2025 housing market shifted to more balanced conditions

Calgary, Alberta, Jan. 2, 2026 – Following several years of strong price growth, 2025 marked a year of transition thanks to strong demand and limited supply. Due to record high starts, supply levels improved across all aspects of the housing market, just as demand pressure eased due to a reduction in migration levels and heightened uncertainty that persisted throughout the spring market. This helped shift the resale market from one that favoured the seller to one that was more balanced. In 2025, sales reached 22,751 units, down 16 per cent over last year, but in-line with long-term trends. Much of the shift came from the growth in supply. 2025 saw over 40,000 new listings come onto the market, nine per cent higher than last year, causing inventories to rise and driving more balanced conditions.

“Supply levels were expected to rise in 2025. However, the growth was higher than expected especially for apartment condominium and row homes. This weighed on prices in those sectors enough to offset the annual gains reported for both detached and semi-detached homes,” said AnnMarie Lurie, CREB®’s Chief Economist. "Adjustments in both supply and demand varied across the city, with pockets of the market continuing to experience seller’s market conditions versus some areas where the conditions favoured the buyer. This resulted in different price trends based on location, price range and property type.

” Overall, the annual average total residential benchmark price in 2025 was $577,492, two per cent lower than last year’s annual average. However, annual detached and semi-detached prices rose by a respective one and three per cent, while apartment and row homes saw prices fall by a respective three and two per cent.

Compared to other districts, the North East reported the largest decline in prices this year. While some of this is related to improved supply across all areas of the city, it is also important to note that the North East district also reported the strongest price growth over the past two years. For the first time in three years, we are heading into the New Year with better inventory levels. Details on what is expected to happen in the market in 2026 will be released at CREB®’s annual.

Published by CREB

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City of Calgary Monthly Statistics - Jan 2026

Slow start for high-density homes

Calgary, Alberta, Feb. 2, 2026 – Calgary reported 1,234 sales in January, a year-over-year decline of 15 per cent, but in line with typical levels of activity for the month. While sales declined across all property types, the steepest declines occurred in higher-density homes.

“Following the typical December slowdown, potential buyers for high-density homes were more hesitant to return to the market in January, as increased supply choice across all aspects of the market has reduced the sense of urgency,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB®’s Chief Economist. “At the same time, sellers were quick to bring their listings onto the market, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to drop to 44 per cent, mostly due to shifts in apartment and row-style homes. Overall, this is not entirely uncommon for January, as both buyers and sellers weigh their options ahead of the spring market.”

The rise in new listings compared to sales caused inventory levels to increase to 4,391 units, the highest January level since 2020. However, as with sales, conditions vary by property type, with row and apartment homes facing higher levels of inventory compared to longterm trends. The result is months of supply that ranges from under three months in the detached sector to five months for apartment-style homes.

Due to declines in the later part of 2025, benchmark prices are lower than levels reported at the start of last year. However, seasonally adjusted figures point to stable levels in January compared to the end of 2025. Nonetheless, year-over-year total residential benchmark prices have declined by nearly five per cent, as steep declines reported in the oversupplied row- and apartment-style homes weighed on total residential prices compared to last year.

Published by CREB

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CREB® Unveils 2026 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report

Calgary, Alberta, Jan. 20, 2026 – The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) is excited to announce the release of its 2026 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report.

This comprehensive report, prepared by CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie, provides an in-depth analysis of Calgary's economic and housing market trends for the upcoming year. 

The 2026 report highlights how rising starts over the past several years are translating into supply growth at a time when demand is shifting due to slowing migration and shifting economic conditions.   

"In 2025, the market transitioned from one that favoured the seller to more balanced conditions, as improving supply in the new home, rental and resale markets occurred just as demand returned to more typical levels. This took much of the pressure off home prices last year, especially in the apartment and row segments," said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at CREB®.  

Lower migration levels, stable employment and interest rates are expected to prevent any substantial change in demand in 2026. However, supply pressures are expected to continue as 26,000 units that are currently under construction are completed over the new few years. 

"Much of the supply growth will be apartment-style rental and ownership units, and while starts are expected to ease this year, it will take time to absorb the supply, considering the weaker migration levels. Ultimately, this will continue to place downward pressure on prices for apartment- and row-style homes. Meanwhile, conditions are more balanced for detached and semi-detached homes, supporting relative price stability for those homes," Lurie added. 

The report also notes there are several factors that could impact the housing market over the next few years. The recently signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the federal and provincial government provides upside risk to the forecast, as shifts in federal regulatory barriers affecting the energy sector may encourage both confidence and investment in Calgary. On the downside, the renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) this year could create additional uncertainty. Combined with lower energy prices, this could potentially slow positive momentum in business investment activity. 

Click here to read the full CREB® 2026 Forecast Calgary and Region Yearly Outlook Report. 

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