New Brunswick’s housing market remained balanced in March 2026, with the composite benchmark price holding steady at $329,400 — up 4.6% year-over-year. Sales totalled 597 transactions, down 5.5% from March 2025 and below both the five-year and ten-year averages. At 5.0 months of supply, the market sits in balanced territory, though conditions are softening compared to a year ago. Single-family prices continue to appreciate (+4.9% YoY) while the apartment segment has weakened significantly (-11.5%).
Key statistics (March 2026)
| Metric | Value | Year-over-Year |
|---|---|---|
| Composite Benchmark Price | $329,400 | +4.6% |
| Single-Family Benchmark | $330,700 | +4.9% |
| Townhouse/Row Benchmark | $232,200 | -1.5% |
| Apartment Benchmark | $280,600 | -11.5% |
| Total Sales | 597 | -5.5% |
| YTD Sales (Q1) | 1,601 | -3.4% |
| New Listings | 1,271 | -0.9% |
| Active Listings | 2,962 | -0.3% |
| Months of Supply | 5.0 | +0.3 |
| Dollar Volume | $203.8M | -7.9% |
| Market Condition | Balanced | N/A |
Sales activity by region (March 2026)
| Region | YoY Sales Change |
|---|---|
| Fredericton | +0.7% |
| Saint John | -5.4% |
| Greater Moncton | -6.3% |
| Northern & Valley Regions | -12.3% |
Market conditions
New Brunswick is in a balanced market as of March 2026, with 5.0 months of supply — up from 4.7 months a year ago but still below the long-run average of 5.4 months. This means neither buyers nor sellers have a clear advantage.
The composite benchmark of $329,400 posted a 4.6% year-over-year gain for the third consecutive month. However, this stability is driven entirely by single-family homes (+4.9%), while the apartment segment has pulled back sharply (-11.5%). Townhouse/row prices also dipped 1.5% year-over-year.
Active listings of 2,962 were essentially flat (-0.3%) compared to a year ago, but 17.1% above the five-year average. New listings of 1,271 were down a marginal 0.9%. Homes spent a median of 40 days on market in Q1 2026, up from 36 days a year earlier, reflecting the shift toward more balanced conditions.
Single-family homes had 4.9 months of supply at the end of Q1, up from 4.6 a year ago.
Regional analysis
Fredericton was the only major market to post a year-over-year sales increase in March (+0.7%), continuing its role as a stable anchor for the province driven by government and university employment. Greater Moncton saw sales decline 6.3%, a notable shift for a city that had been one of the province’s strongest performers in recent years. Saint John sales fell 5.4%, while the Northern and Valley regions experienced the sharpest decline at 12.3%.
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
- Benchmark prices still rising — New Brunswick’s composite benchmark gained 4.6% year-over-year, with single-family homes up 4.9%, outperforming several larger provinces.
- Apartment segment weakening — Apartment benchmark prices fell 11.5% year-over-year, a sharp divergence from the single-family segment and the province’s weakest property type.
- Sales below historical norms — March sales of 597 were 17.4% below the five-year average and 18.1% below the ten-year average, indicating continued demand softness.
- Balanced market holding — At 5.0 months of supply (below the 5.4-month long-run average), conditions remain balanced with a slight lean toward sellers for single-family homes.
- Supply building gradually — Active listings are 17.1% above the five-year average, giving buyers more choice than they’ve had in recent years.
- Fredericton resilient — The only major market posting a sales increase, Fredericton’s stability contrasts with declines in Moncton, Saint John, and the Northern/Valley regions.
Housing affordability
New Brunswick remains one of the most affordable provinces in Canada, with a composite benchmark of $329,400 and a calculated average price of approximately $341,000 (based on March dollar volume). To purchase a home at the benchmark price with a 20% down payment, a household would need an estimated annual income of approximately $82,000.
The province continues to attract interprovincial migrants, particularly from Ontario, drawn by home prices roughly 50–60% below the national average of $673,084.
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: