How much house can you afford in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick’s average home price is $329,850 as of January 2026, with a benchmark of $329,400 (+4.8% YoY). The market is balanced with 5.5 months of supply. NB is among Canada’s most affordable provinces — roughly 42% of Ontario’s average price.
New Brunswick affordability by city
| City | January 2026 Avg | Income Needed (20% DP) | vs Ontario Avg ($778K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fredericton | $319,275 | ~$80,000 | 59% cheaper |
| Provincial Average | $329,850 | ~$82,000 | 58% cheaper |
| Saint John | $338,294 | ~$85,000 | 57% cheaper |
| Moncton | $373,997 | ~$92,000 | 52% cheaper |
All three major NB cities are affordable on moderate household incomes. Remote workers moving from Ontario effectively double their purchasing power.
What your income buys in NB vs Canada
| Annual Income | Max Home (20% DP) | New Brunswick | Ontario | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | ~$410,000 | Above average — all NB cities | Northern ON only | N/A |
| $100,000 | ~$515,000 | Premium home in any city | Entry-level only | Kootenay only |
| $120,000 | ~$620,000 | Top-tier property | Still below avg | N/A |
NB closing costs — simple 1% tax
| Home Price | NB Transfer Tax (1%) | Total Est. Closing Costs |
|---|---|---|
| $319,275 (Fredericton avg) | $3,193 | $6,400–$9,600 |
| $329,850 (NB avg) | $3,299 | $6,600–$9,900 |
| $373,997 (Moncton avg) | $3,740 | $7,500–$11,200 |
No first-time buyer exemption. The flat 1% is simple to budget — much lower than Ontario’s sliding scale that reaches $11,847 on the same $329K home.
New Brunswick market conditions — January 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average home price | $329,850 |
| Benchmark price | $329,400 (+4.8% YoY) |
| Total sales | 455 (-3.0% YoY) |
| Months of supply | 5.5 |
| Market condition | Balanced |
See the New Brunswick housing market report for the latest.
Tips for New Brunswick homebuyers
- Remote work advantage — Ontario salaries + NB home prices = significant purchasing power
- Moncton is growing — Highest NB prices at $374K but still very affordable nationally
- No FTB tax exemption — Budget the full 1% transfer tax into your plan
- Compare rates carefully — Fewer local lenders, but mortgage brokers access national networks
- Check mortgage rates — Even small rate differences add up over 25 years
First-time buyer programs in New Brunswick
| Program | Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHSA | Up to $40,000 tax-deductible savings | $8,000/year limit |
| RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan | Up to $60,000/person ($120,000/couple) | Repay over 15 years |
| CMHC insurance | 5% minimum down on homes under $1.5M | Standard federally |
| NB Homeownership Program | Provincial help for income-qualified buyers | Income-tested |
| GST/HST New Housing Rebate | Partial 15% HST rebate on new builds | Applies to new construction |
| LTT: 1% of assessed value | ⚠️ No FTB rebate — full 1% applies | ~$3,100 on $310,000 avg. home |
New Brunswick’s 1% LTT is among Canada’s simplest and most predictable transfer taxes. Without a FTB rebate, buyers should plan for the full ~$3,100 on the average NB home.
Related calculators
- New Brunswick Mortgage Rates — Compare current rates
- New Brunswick Housing Market — Latest prices and trends
- Nova Scotia Affordability — Compare with neighbouring NS
- Halifax Affordability — Compare with Halifax
New Brunswick first-time buyer landscape
New Brunswick is one of Canada’s most accessible provinces for first-time buyers. A single earner on $80,000 can qualify for the provincial average home — something that’s impossible in Ontario or BC without a co-borrower.
| Buyer Profile | Qualifying Home Price | NB Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| Single earner, $60K, 5% down | ~$240,000 | Below average — smaller cities |
| Single earner, $80K, 10% down | ~$340,000 | At provincial average |
| Single earner, $100K, 20% down | ~$480,000 | Well above Moncton average |
| Dual income, $120K combined, 10% down | ~$490,000 | Premium in any NB city |
Remote work and interprovincial migration
New Brunswick has attracted significant interprovincial migration from Ontario, Alberta, and BC since 2020. The appeal is straightforward: median household incomes are lower, but home prices are 58% cheaper than Ontario — so buyers from expensive markets typically see a dramatic improvement in their debt-to-income position.
A household that sold a $900,000 Ontario home often arrives in NB with $500,000–$600,000 in equity, making a cash or near-cash purchase the norm for that cohort.
Mortgage rate impact in New Brunswick
On the NB average home ($329,850), a 1% change in mortgage rate has a meaningful but manageable impact:
| Rate | Monthly Payment (20% down, 25yr) | Monthly Payment (5% down, 30yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0% | $1,394 | $1,536 |
| 4.5% | $1,448 | $1,596 |
| 5.0% | $1,503 | $1,657 |
| 5.5% | $1,560 | $1,719 |
Even at 5.5%, the monthly payment on the NB average home with 20% down is $1,560 — well within reach for an $82,000 income. Compare this to Ontario where the same rate on a $778,000 average home means $3,677/month at 20% down.