Looking to buy in Ontario? Here’s your side-by-side comparison of Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton, covering prices, trends, commute, new supply, and taxes as of July 2025. Perfect for helping buyers decide which city fits their goals.
🏙️ Average Home Prices (June/May 2025)
| City | Average Price | YoY Change | Market Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | ~$995,100 | ↓ 5.5% | Buyer’s market (SNLR ~31%) |
| Ottawa | ~$634,300 | ↑ 1.6% | Balanced market (SNLR ~55%) |
| Hamilton | ~$777,800 | ↓ 4.8% | Buyer’s market (SNLR ~39%) |
Sources: WOWA Toronto, WOWA Ottawa, WOWA Hamilton, RE/MAX Canada, Nesto, Gencor Homes
📉 Growth Trends & Inventory
- Toronto: Prices have softened following the post-2022 peak, particularly in the suburbs. Inventory is steadily climbing.
- Ottawa: Stable demand fueled by government jobs. Modest price growth continues with slight increases in listings.
- Hamilton: Sales are slowing, with a 37% rise in inventory. Prices are down nearly 10% YoY. Moderate 2–3% growth forecasted for 2026.
Sources: Agent in Ottawa, The Martin Group, Mortgage Sandbox
🚗 Commute & Transit Access
- Toronto: Offers TTC, GO Transit, streetcars, and LRT systems. Expanding infrastructure, but faces increasing congestion.
- Ottawa: Efficient LRT and bus network, walkable core.
- Hamilton: GO Transit access and a new LRT along King Street under construction, connecting Eastgate to McMaster University.
🏗️ New Supply & Housing Types
- Toronto: Primarily condo developments focused around transit hubs.
- Ottawa: Growth in suburban developments and townhomes.
- Hamilton: Slower pace of new builds due to high construction costs. Condos and row housing near transit are emerging.
Sources: RE/MAX Canada, Mortgage Sandbox
🏷️ Taxes & Cost of Living
- Toronto: High property values and ~0.6–0.7% municipal tax rate contribute to higher costs.
- Ottawa: Lower home prices and property tax rates (~0.9–1.0%) offer more affordability.
- Hamilton: Property tax slightly higher than Ottawa but lower than Toronto, making it more budget-friendly overall.
✅ Buyer Match Summary
| If You Value… | Choose… | Why |
| Proximity to work, transit & amenities | Toronto | Central location, transit-rich, global city |
| Affordability & steady growth | Ottawa | Balanced growth, job security, public sector base |
| Value & future upside via changing infrastructure | Hamilton | Room to grow, improving transit, lower prices |
Expert Insight
Forecasts from WOWA and CMHC suggest Ontario suburbs could see 2–4% price gains in 2026–27, while Toronto may stabilize first before climbing again.
🧠 Key Takeaways
- Toronto: High costs, strong long-term potential, but competitive.
- Ottawa: Balanced, predictable market with lower risk.
- Hamilton: Solid choice for first-time buyers and investors alike.
Stay tuned to ontariohousingmarket.ca for regular market updates.
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