New Brunswick’s housing market cooled somewhat in July 2026, with sales totalling 970 transactions, down 8.7% from July 2025. New listings fell a smaller 4.3% to 1,484, while active listings actually rose 5.3% to 4,124 – inventory is building even as sales soften. At 4.3 months of supply (up 16.2% from a year ago), the market has loosened but remains on the tight side of balanced. The MLS HPI composite benchmark held up well at $344,000, up 6.7% year-over-year, led by a striking 17.8% gain in townhouse prices.
Key statistics (July 2026)
| Metric | Value | Year-over-Year |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Benchmark Price | $344,000 | +6.7% |
| Single-Family Benchmark | $345,500 | +6.9% |
| Townhouse/Row Benchmark | $275,100 | +17.8% |
| Apartment Benchmark | $277,100 | -3.6% |
| Total Sales | 970 | -8.7% |
| New Listings | 1,484 | -4.3% |
| Active Listings | 4,124 | +5.3% |
| Months of Supply | 4.3 | +16.2% |
| Dollar Volume | $344 million | -6.7% |
| Market Condition | Seller’s-leaning | N/A |
New Brunswick’s board write-up does not state a separate average transaction price; dividing dollar volume by sales ($344 million / 970) gives an implied average of roughly $354,600.
Sales activity by region (March 2026)
The regional breakdown below is from March 2026 and has not been refreshed with July data – CREA’s board-level write-up for New Brunswick does not report a city-by-city sales split.
| Region | YoY Sales Change |
|---|---|
| Fredericton | +0.7% |
| Saint John | -5.4% |
| Greater Moncton | -6.3% |
| Northern & Valley Regions | -12.3% |
Market conditions
New Brunswick has loosened toward balanced conditions as of July 2026, with 4.3 months of supply – up 16.2% from 3.7 months a year ago. Sales of 970 were down 8.7% year-over-year, while new listings held up better, down only 4.3% to 1,484. Active listings rose 5.3% to 4,124, giving buyers modestly more selection than a year ago.
The composite benchmark of $344,000 posted a solid 6.7% year-over-year gain, driven overwhelmingly by townhouse/row units (+17.8%) and single-family homes (+6.9%). The apartment segment is the outlier, down 3.6% year-over-year – a reversal from the double-digit declines seen earlier in 2026, but still the weakest property type in the province.
Regional analysis
Moncton remains the economic engine of the province, with its bilingual workforce and growing technology sector continuing to attract interprovincial migration. Saint John benefits from its port economy and industrial base, offering solid value especially for waterfront and heritage properties. Fredericton remains the most affordable major centre, with stable demand from government workers and university students.
The province recently reached a $300 million (cost-matched) Build Canada Homes agreement with the federal government to deliver at least 1,200 shovel-ready affordable homes, which could impact supply conditions in coming years.
Key trends
- Townhouse prices surging – Townhouse/row benchmark prices jumped 17.8% year-over-year, by far the strongest gain of any property type in the province.
- Apartment segment still soft – Apartment benchmark prices fell 3.6% year-over-year, the only property type still in decline, though a smaller drop than seen earlier in 2026.
- Sales pulling back faster than listings – The 8.7% sales decline outpaced the 4.3% drop in new listings, contributing to a 5.3% rise in active listings.
- Supply loosening from a tight base – Months of supply rose 16.2% year-over-year to 4.3, though this remains on the tight side of a balanced market.
- Dollar volume down modestly – Total dollar volume of $344 million was down 6.7% year-over-year, tracking the decline in sales activity.
Housing affordability
New Brunswick remains one of the most affordable provinces in Canada, with a composite benchmark of $344,000 and an implied average price of approximately $354,600 (dollar volume divided by sales). To purchase a home at the benchmark price with a 20% down payment, a household would need an estimated annual income of approximately $83,000.
The province continues to attract interprovincial migrants, particularly from Ontario, drawn by home prices roughly 50-60% below the national average of $674,819.
Use our mortgage affordability calculator to determine how much home you can afford, or our income to afford home calculator to estimate the salary needed at New Brunswick price levels.
Useful calculators
- Mortgage Calculator
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator
- Income to Afford Home Calculator
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator
- Closing Costs Calculator
- Mortgage Rates
- First-Time Home Buyer Guide
Related housing reports
- Halifax Housing Market — Neighbouring Atlantic market
- Nova Scotia Housing Market — Provincial report for Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island Housing Market — PEI market data
- Canada Housing Market Overview — National trends and provincial comparisons
Buying a home in New Brunswick: practical guide
Closing costs:
- Land Transfer Tax: ~0.5% (varies by county/municipality)
- Lawyer fees: $1,200–$2,000
- Home inspection: $350–$500
- Title insurance: $200–$350
- HST on new construction: 15% (partial new housing rebate available for primary residences)
First-time buyer programs in NB:
- Federal FHSA and RRSP HBP apply
- New Brunswick Housing Corporation: Affordable home ownership programs available
- Federal First-Time Home Buyers’’ Tax Credit: $1,500 tax reduction
New Brunswick housing market outlook
2026 outlook: Moncton continues as NB’’s strongest market, driven by bilingual employment, logistics sector growth (major warehouse and distribution investment), and ongoing interprovincial migration. Fredericton remains stable on government/university demand. Saint John has shown improvement but remains the most affordable and slowest-appreciating of the three main NB cities.
Moncton growth: Moncton’’s CMA has grown significantly from Atlantic Canada migration, remote workers, and new immigrant settlement. Healthcare, logistics, call centres, and a growing tech sector support employment. Moncton is increasingly seen as one of Atlantic Canada’’s best long-term housing markets.
Remote work effect: New Brunswick attracted significant remote work migration from Ontario during 2020–2022. While some of this population has returned to Ontario/Quebec, NB’’s affordable lifestyle has retained many new residents, permanently expanding the buyer pool.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moncton or Fredericton better for buying real estate? Moncton has shown stronger appreciation and employment growth, making it better for capital gains investors. Fredericton is more stable with government employment anchoring demand — suitable for buyers prioritizing security. Moncton’’s bilingual market and geographic position (equidistant from Halifax and Quebec City) support its long-term economic outlook.
What are New Brunswick’’s property taxes like? NB property tax rates are set by the province and individual municipalities. Provincial rates vary by property type; municipal rates add to the total. For a typical $270,000 Moncton home, annual property taxes run approximately $2,500–$3,500. New Brunswick property taxes are comparable to or lower than Ontario and BC averages.
Data Sources
The housing market data in this report is sourced from:
- New Brunswick Real Estate Board (NBREB)
- Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) – National MLS® Statistics
- Data period: July 1-31, 2026