Hamilton Property Tax 2026 | Tax Rate & Calculator
Updated
Hamilton Property Tax 2026
Hamilton’s residential property tax rate is approximately 1.22% — significantly higher than Toronto but reflecting the city’s lower average property values.
Component
Approximate Rate
City of Hamilton
~1.07%
Education
~0.15%
Total Residential Rate
~1.22%
Hamilton is a single-tier municipality, providing all municipal services directly without an upper-tier regional government.
How Hamilton Property Tax Is Calculated
Your annual property tax is:
Property Tax = MPAC Assessed Value × Tax Rate
Assessed Value
Annual Tax (@ 1.22%)
Monthly
$400,000
$4,880
$407
$500,000
$6,100
$508
$600,000
$7,320
$610
$700,000
$8,540
$712
$800,000
$9,760
$813
$900,000
$10,980
$915
$1,000,000
$12,200
$1,017
$1,200,000
$14,640
$1,220
Hamilton vs GTA and Ontario
City
Tax Rate
Tax on $700K
Tax on $900K
Toronto
0.63%
$4,410
$5,670
Mississauga
0.77%
$5,390
$6,930
Burlington
0.89%
$6,230
$8,010
Oakville
0.82%
$5,740
$7,380
Hamilton
1.22%
$8,540
$10,980
St. Catharines
1.35%
$9,450
$12,150
Windsor
1.78%
$12,460
$16,020
Rate vs. Total Housing Cost
Despite the higher tax rate, Hamilton remains more affordable than Toronto in total dollars:
Metric
Hamilton
Toronto
Average detached price
~$800,000
~$1,500,000
Tax rate
1.22%
0.63%
Annual tax (avg home)
$9,760
$9,450
Mortgage (20% down, 5%)
$3,740/mo
$7,010/mo
Monthly housing cost
~$4,550
~$7,800
Hamilton homeowners save significantly despite paying similar property tax amounts.
What Your Taxes Fund
City Services
Service
Description
Hamilton Police Service
Local policing
Hamilton Fire Department
Fire and rescue
HSR (Hamilton Street Railway)
Public transit
Roads & Maintenance
Paving, repairs, snow removal
Parks & Recreation
Community centers, trails, pools
Planning & Development
Building permits, zoning
Social Services
Ontario Works, social housing
Public Health
Hamilton Public Health
Library Services
23 branches
Hamilton Water
Water and wastewater
Unique Hamilton Services
Service
Notes
Escarpment maintenance
Bruce Trail, conservation areas
LRT construction (ongoing)
Major transit investment
Waterfront development
Pier 8, West Harbour
Steel industry legacy
Brownfield remediation
Hamilton Neighbourhoods and Property Values
Hamilton’s geography — divided by the Niagara Escarpment into “lower city” and “Mountain” areas — significantly affects property values:
Lower City
Neighbourhood
Typical Home
Est. Annual Tax
Westdale
$1,200,000+
$14,640+
Locke Street area
$900,000
$10,980
Kirkendall
$850,000
$10,370
Durand
$800,000
$9,760
Corktown
$700,000
$8,540
Barton/Sherman
$550,000
$6,710
Hamilton Mountain
Neighbourhood
Typical Home
Est. Annual Tax
Ancaster
$1,000,000+
$12,200+
Dundas
$950,000
$11,590
Stoney Creek (lakefront)
$900,000
$10,980
Mountain East
$750,000
$9,150
Upper Centennial
$700,000
$8,540
Rural Areas
Area
Typical Home
Est. Annual Tax
Notes
Flamborough
$1,100,000
$13,420
Rural estate lots
Waterdown
$1,000,000
$12,200
Suburban growth
Glanbrook
$850,000
$10,370
Newer developments
Binbrook
$800,000
$9,760
Active growth
Property Assessment in Hamilton
MPAC Assessment Factors
Factor
Influence
Location
Lower city vs. Mountain, proximity to downtown
Lot size
Significant in rural areas
Square footage
Primary for residential
Age and condition
Older homes may assess lower
Escarpment views
Premium for lookout properties
Waterfront
Burlington Bay, Lake Ontario
Challenging Your Assessment
Review online — MPAC’s AboutMyProperty™
Request Reconsideration (RfR) — Free, within 120 days
Appeal to ARB — $125 fee
Common grounds:
Assessed value exceeds market value
Comparable properties assessed lower
Property data errors (lot size, square footage)
Payment Options
Due Dates
Hamilton typically uses four installments:
Late February (interim)
Late April (interim)
Late June (final)
Late September (final)
Payment Methods
Method
Details
Pre-authorized (PAP)
Monthly or installment
Online banking
Through your bank
At bank
With remittance stub
City Hall
Service counters
By mail
Cheque to City of Hamilton
Mortgage escrow
Through your lender
Late Payment
Period
Penalty
First month late
1.25%
Subsequent months
1.25% each
Properties with three+ years unpaid risk tax sale.
Tax Relief Programs
Low-Income Seniors/Disabled
Hamilton offers property tax relief for:
Low-income seniors (65+)
Low-income persons with disabilities
Income thresholds apply
Contact the City of Hamilton Tax Office for current eligibility and applications.
Tax Deferral
Ontario’s property tax deferral program allows eligible seniors to defer tax increases above inflation. The deferred amount is collected when the home is sold.
Vacancy Rebates
Property Type
Rebate Available
Commercial (vacant)
30%
Industrial (vacant)
35%
Charity Rebates
Registered charities may receive rebates up to 40% of property taxes.
Hamilton Housing Market (2026)
Property Type
Average Price
Annual Tax
Detached
~$800,000
$9,760
Townhouse
~$650,000
$7,930
Semi-detached
~$625,000
$7,625
Condo apartment
~$500,000
$6,100
Economic Drivers
Healthcare/Education (Eds and Meds)
Institution
Impact
McMaster University
Major employer, research
Hamilton Health Sciences
Region’s largest employer
St. Joseph’s Healthcare
Healthcare hub
Mohawk College
Technical education
Manufacturing (Legacy and New)
Sector
Status
Steel (ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Stelco)
Active, restructuring
Manufacturing
Diversifying
Food processing
Growing
LRT Investment
The Hamilton LRT (B-Line) is a major investment that may affect property values along the corridor:
King Street to Eastgate Square route
Expected to increase values near stations
Construction impacts in affected areas
Commuter Considerations
Hamilton is increasingly a commuter city for Toronto workers:
Transit
Details
GO Transit
Train to Union Station (~1 hour)
Highway 403/QEW
Driving (45-90 min depending on traffic)
HSR
Local transit
Future LRT
Local rapid transit
The combination of lower housing costs and GO Transit access makes Hamilton attractive despite higher property tax rates.