Build Canada Homes – Housing affordability by income level
At Build Canada Homes, affordable housing means spending less than 30% of a household's before-tax income on housing costs.
Housing affordability looks different depending on where you live and your income level. Build Canada Homes will support mixed-income communities where people of different income levels can live together. Offering homes at a range of different price points supports long-term affordability, builds resilience, and strengthens local economies.
Understanding affordability
Build Canada Homes uses local median income data to ensure rents reflect what families in each region can afford. That means offering homes for a range of income levels—from deeply affordable options for lower-income households to market-rate homes for higher-income households.
This mixed-income approach allows more people to live and thrive in the same community.
Sample affordable rent thresholds by income level
| Area median household income (2026) | Illustrative maximum affordable rent per unit size* | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | |
| Very low income (0–25% median income) |
$293 | $377 | $598 | $781 |
| Low income (26–50% median income) |
$586 | $754 | $1,197 | $1,563 |
| Moderate income (51–75% median income) |
$878 | $1,131 | $1,795 | $2,344 |
| Median income (76–100% median income) |
$1,171 | $1,508 | $2,393 | $3,125 |
*Note These figures are illustrative, based on national income levels.
Actual rent thresholds will vary by municipality and change over time based on updated income data.
Sample affordable rent thresholds by region
| Census subdivision | Maximum affordable rent for a 1-bedroom unit for low-income Canadians (2026) |
|---|---|
| Vancouver, British Columbia | $838 |
| Toronto, Ontario | $803 |
| Sarnia, Ontario | $750 |
| Brandon, Manitoba | $738 |
| Prince Albert, Saskatchewan | $717 |
| Montréal, Quebec | $683 |
| Amherst, Nova Scotia | $548 |
How to calculate affordability in your region
Build Canada Homes uses a clear, income-based method to help determine what affordable housing looks like in each region. Here's how to calculate affordability using local income data and household size.
Date modified: 2025-11-25
Report a problem on this page
- Date modified: