Guelph is a mid-sized Ontario city of approximately 143,740 (2021) — often called the “Royal City” — located at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa rivers, roughly 100 km west of Toronto and 28 km east of Kitchener-Waterloo. Guelph’s economy is anchored by the University of Guelph, a major advanced manufacturing base (Linamar, Sleeman Breweries, many auto suppliers), and a growing technology sector. The city consistently ranks among Ontario’s strongest housing markets, with low unemployment and high owner-occupancy rates.
July 2026 data is sourced from CREA’s MLS® Home Price Index Tool, which reports Guelph & District’s benchmark prices directly by property type. Guelph’s own board, Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, has not published a fresher sales/listings breakdown since its own MLS system migration disrupted reporting – see the Data Sources section below.
Key Highlights — July 2026 (CREA MLS® HPI):
- MLS HPI composite benchmark: $717,300 (-4.6% year-over-year)
- Single-family benchmark: $834,500 (-4.7% YoY)
- Townhouse benchmark: $569,200 (-7.9% YoY)
- Apartment benchmark: $461,300 (-6.5% YoY)
- Market: balanced to buyer’s market conditions
- Ontario LTT applies (no municipal LTT)
- Strong rental demand from UGuelph student population
Guelph Home Prices — July 2026
| Home Type | Price |
|---|---|
| MLS HPI Composite Benchmark | $717,300 (-4.6% YoY) |
| Single-Family | $834,500 (-4.7% YoY) |
| Townhouse | $569,200 (-7.9% YoY) |
| Apartment | $461,300 (-6.5% YoY) |
All figures are real MLS® HPI benchmark data for Guelph & District from CREA’s HPI Tool (July 2026).
Market Metrics — July 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| MLS HPI Composite Benchmark | $717,300 |
| Benchmark YoY Change | -4.6% |
| Single-Family Benchmark | $834,500 (-4.7% YoY) |
| Townhouse Benchmark | $569,200 (-7.9% YoY) |
| Apartment Benchmark | $461,300 (-6.5% YoY) |
| Market Condition | Balanced to buyer’s |
| Data Source | CREA MLS® Home Price Index Tool |
Income Required to Buy in Guelph
Assumptions: 20% down payment, 4.04% contract rate (stress-tested qualifying rate), 25-year amortization, GDS ratio of 32%, property tax $354/month, heating $150/month.
| Home Price | Mortgage (80%) | Income Required |
|---|---|---|
| $717,300 (composite benchmark) | $573,840 | $157,100 |
| $461,300 (apartment benchmark) | $369,040 | $101,000 |
| $569,200 (townhouse benchmark) | $455,360 | $124,650 |
| $834,500 (single-family benchmark) | $667,600 | $182,700 |
Key Trends — Guelph July 2026
GTA Satellite with Strong Fundamentals: Guelph has historically benefited from GTA spillover demand — buyers priced out of Toronto or Mississauga seeking a full-service city with a distinct community identity. This dynamic softened the correction when GTA prices fell, and Guelph now trades at a modest discount to KW Region (~$725k avg) while offering similar lifestyle at potentially lower prices.
University Town Rental Buffer: The University of Guelph has approximately 30,000 students, creating structural rental housing demand that supports investor returns and prevents sharp vacancy spikes. This underpins the condo and student-oriented townhouse market year-round.
Balanced Supply / Demand: Unlike Toronto or Hamilton’s sharp buyer’s market conditions, Guelph’s market has held near balance. New listings are up but demand from owner-occupants remains firm. Conditional offers are back but multiple-offer situations still occur on well-priced detached homes in desirable neighbourhoods.
Manufacturing Resilience: Guelph’s advanced manufacturing economy (Linamar is the city’s largest employer with 16,000+ workers globally) provides economic resilience. Unlike auto-sector communities vulnerable to plant closures, Linamar’s diversification into aerospace and green energy reduces cyclical risk.
Southern Guelph Growth: Major new development areas in south Guelph (Clair-Maltby, Hanlon Creek Business Park) are attracting new subdivisions and employment lands, with townhome and detached options below the city average appealing to first-time buyers.
Notable Neighbourhoods in Guelph
South End: Guelph’s fastest-growing district with new subdivision activity, Stone Road Mall proximity, and University of Guelph adjacency. Strong rental demand. New detached from $850k–$1.1M; townhomes $620k–$750k.
East End: Established residential district east of downtown along the Speed River. Mix of older homes and newer developments. Detached $700k–$1.0M.
Downtown Guelph / Exhibition Park: Walkable urban core with boutique restaurants, arts venues, and Guelph Farmers’ Market. Historic character homes alongside newer infill condos. Premium detached $900k–$1.4M, condos $430k–$580k.
West End: Near Stone Road Mall and Westminster Woods. Mix of semis and detached in established subdivisions. Detached $750k–$950k.
Grange Road / Kortright Hills: Mid-city established neighbourhood. Family-oriented, good schools. Detached $800k–$1.1M.
Clairfields / Southgate: Newer south Guelph development with townhomes and smaller detached. Appeal to first-time buyers and downsizers. Townhomes $580k–$720k; detached $800k–$1.0M.
Hanlon Creek / Watson Estates: Newer executive-level development in southwest Guelph near the Hanlon Expressway and Arboretum. Larger lots, newer builds. Detached $1.0M–$1.4M.
Ontario Land Transfer Tax — Guelph
Ontario LTT on a $717,300 home:
| Portion | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| First $55,000 | 0.5% | $275 |
| $55,001–$250,000 | 1.0% | $1,950 |
| $250,001–$400,000 | 1.5% | $2,250 |
| $400,001–$717,300 | 2.0% | $6,346 |
| Total | ≈ $10,821 |
First-time buyers may qualify for the Ontario LTT refund of up to $4,000.
Related Calculators & Tools
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator
- CMHC Mortgage Insurance Calculator
- Waterloo Region Housing Market
- Hamilton Housing Market
- Ontario Housing Market — provincial overview
- Canada Housing Market — national overview
Data Sources
- Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® — most recent full breakdown available: February 2026 (Guelph & District); no fresher sales/listings data has been published since a MLS system migration
- Waterloo Region Association of REALTORS® (WRAR) — February 2026 (regional context)
- Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) — MLS® Home Price Index Tool, July 2026
- Data period: July 1-31, 2026 (HPI benchmark)