What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know About Calgary’s 2026 Housing Market
As we look toward 2026, the Calgary housing market is showing clear signs of "normalizing." Following the record-breaking activity and supply shortages of previous years, the latest CREB® Forecast suggests a shift in momentum that will provide both new opportunities and unique challenges for buyers and sellers alike.
A Transition to Balance In 2025, we saw the market move away from extreme seller-favored conditions. For 2026, this trend is expected to continue, with balanced to buyer’s market conditions becoming the new norm. This shift is primarily driven by a surge in new home completions—particularly in higher-density sectors—and a cooling of the migration levels that previously fueled intense demand.
Price Performance by Property Type Not all segments of the market will behave the same way. According to the forecast:
- Detached & Semi-Detached: These segments are expected to remain the most stable. Detached home prices are forecasted to grow by a marginal 0.1%, while semi-detached homes may see a slight 0.8% increase.
- Row & Apartments: Expect more significant adjustments here. Due to elevated inventory levels from record-high starts, row house prices are forecasted to ease by 1.9%, and apartment-style condos could see a 3.5% reduction in benchmark prices.
The Economic Backdrop While Alberta remains a national leader in economic growth with a forecasted 2.1% GDP increase, job growth is expected to slow significantly to 0.4%. This slower employment growth, combined with higher unemployment rates (forecasted at 7.4%), will likely keep housing demand at more typical, long-term historical levels rather than the frenetic pace of the early 2020s.
What This Means for You
- For Sellers: Pricing and presentation are more critical than ever. With more competition on the market, especially in the condo and row sectors, "waiting for a higher price" may no longer be a viable strategy.
- For Buyers: You finally have more breathing room. Increased inventory means more choice and less pressure to engage in aggressive bidding wars, particularly in the multi-family market.
Conclusion The Calgary market remains resilient, but the "gold rush" era of the past few years has transitioned into a more sustainable, balanced environment. Whether you are looking to upsize into a detached home or enter the market via a condo, understanding these 2026 forecasts is key to making a smart move.
