For most people, a Halifax home is the largest purchase they'll ever make. The average house price in Halifax, measured by the Halifax-Dartmouth MLS benchmark, came in at $541,700 in September 2026, 4.1% below a year before.1 Before you shop for a mortgage, get your finances in order and learn how the city's market is behaving.
This guide covers city prices by home type, what a benchmark home costs per month and on closing day, and how to keep your purchase inside your budget. Halifax homes still cost less than the average house price in Canada.
Key Points
- In September 2026, Halifax-Dartmouth's MLS benchmark price sat at $541,700, a 4.1% decline from September 2025.
- That's about $118,500 higher than the $423,200 benchmark for Nova Scotia overall.
- Because the price is over $500,000, the minimum down payment is $29,170, and at a 5% rate the payment comes to about $3,100 a month.
- The city's 1.5% deed transfer tax adds about $8,126 at closing on a $541,700 purchase.
What Is The Average Home Price In Halifax, Nova Scotia, In 2026?
The average home price in Halifax, Nova Scotia was $541,700 in September 2026, going by the Halifax-Dartmouth benchmark for a typical home. That was 4.1% under the year before.1 The Nova Scotia average house price for 2026, measured the same way, was about $118,500 lower.1
Back in January 2005, a typical Halifax home had a benchmark of $173,900, so prices have more than tripled. The record came in May 2026 at $572,700, and the September figure is about 5.4% under that high.1
Halifax-Dartmouth Benchmark Home Price, 2005 To 2026
Peak $572,700 in May 2026 | September 2026: $541,700
Source: CREA MLS Home Price Index, Halifax-Dartmouth composite benchmark price, not seasonally adjusted.
What you pay also depends on whether you buy a house, a townhouse or a condo. Below are September 2026 benchmarks for each home type in Halifax-Dartmouth:
| Property Type | Benchmark Price (September 2026) | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| All homes (composite) | $541,700 | -4.1% |
| Single-family homes | $557,300 | -4.4% |
| Townhouses | $528,900 | -1.6% |
| Apartments and condos | $423,500 | -5.3% |
Source: CREA MLS Home Price Index (September 2026).1 Townhouses lost only 1.6% over the year, while apartments and condos dropped 5.3%. At $423,500, a condo is the lowest-priced of the three home types in the city.
How Does Halifax Compare With Other Atlantic Markets?
Halifax is the priciest Atlantic Canada market in the table below, yet it sits roughly $125,000 under the national average of $666,538.1,2
| Region | Home Price (September 2026) | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $666,538 | -1.6% |
| Halifax-Dartmouth* | $541,700 | -4.1% |
| Nova Scotia* | $423,200 | -2.5% |
| St. John's* | $421,800 | +6.8% |
| Prince Edward Island* | $377,900 | +0.5% |
| Greater Moncton* | $377,400 | +0.4% |
| Fredericton* | $364,400 | +4.4% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador* | $355,600 | +5.5% |
| Saint John* | $355,400 | +1.1% |
| New Brunswick* | $341,700 | +2.7% |
Source: CREA (September 2026).1,2 The Canada row is an average sale price, and every row with an asterisk is an MLS HPI benchmark. Halifax had the largest yearly decline in this group, and St. John's and Newfoundland and Labrador had the biggest gains.
What Are The Monthly Payments On A $541,700 Halifax Home?
Depending on your down payment, a Halifax home at the $541,700 benchmark comes with a monthly payment of about $2,520 to $3,100. They're based on 25 years of payments at a 5% fixed rate.
Swipe to see all →
| Down Payment | Amount Down | CMHC Insurance Premium | Total Mortgage | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (5.38%)* | $29,170 | $20,501 (4.00%) | $533,031 | $3,100 |
| 10% | $54,170 | $15,113 (3.10%) | $502,643 | $2,923 |
| 20% | $108,340 | None | $433,360 | $2,520 |
*Halifax's benchmark is above $500,000, so the minimum down payment adds 5% of the first $500,000 ($25,000) to 10% of the $41,700 above it ($4,170). Together that's $29,170, about 5.38% of the price.
These numbers are for illustrative purposes only. Actual numbers may vary.
Because the first two options are under 20% down, they include mortgage default insurance, which adds $20,501 or $15,113 to the mortgage. Saving $108,340 for a 20% down payment avoids that cost.
How Much A Rate Change Moves Your Halifax Payment
A 20% down payment leaves a $433,360 mortgage. Each half-point in rate shifts the monthly payment by about $120 to $130. Total interest over 25 years ranges from $250,508 at 4.0% to $398,440 at 6.0%.
| Interest Rate | Monthly Payment | Total Interest Over 25 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0% | $2,280 | $250,508 |
| 4.5% | $2,399 | $286,199 |
| 5.0% | $2,520 | $322,773 |
| 5.5% | $2,645 | $360,198 |
| 6.0% | $2,773 | $398,440 |
These numbers are for illustrative purposes only. Actual numbers may vary.
Use the calculator below to try your own price, down payment and interest rate.
Mortgage Calculator
| Amortization | Payment | Total interest | Total paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 years | $3,356.62 | $164,191.53 | $604,191.53 |
| 20 years | $2,773.78 | $225,707.84 | $665,707.84 |
| 25 years | $2,435.28 | $290,584.30 | $730,584.30 |
| 30 years | $2,218.55 | $358,677.44 | $798,677.44 |
| Year | Principal paid | Interest paid | Balance left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,805.24 | $19,418.13 | $430,194.76 |
| Year 2 | $10,251.44 | $18,971.93 | $419,943.33 |
| Year 3 | $10,717.94 | $18,505.43 | $409,225.38 |
| Year 4 | $11,205.67 | $18,017.70 | $398,019.71 |
| Year 5 | $11,715.60 | $17,507.77 | $386,304.11 |
| Year 6 | $12,248.74 | $16,974.64 | $374,055.37 |
| Year 7 | $12,806.13 | $16,417.24 | $361,249.24 |
| Year 8 | $13,388.89 | $15,834.48 | $347,860.35 |
| Year 9 | $13,998.17 | $15,225.20 | $333,862.18 |
| Year 10 | $14,635.17 | $14,588.20 | $319,227.01 |
| Year 11 | $15,301.16 | $13,922.21 | $303,925.85 |
| Year 12 | $15,997.46 | $13,225.91 | $287,928.39 |
| Year 13 | $16,725.45 | $12,497.93 | $271,202.94 |
| Year 14 | $17,486.56 | $11,736.81 | $253,716.38 |
| Year 15 | $18,282.31 | $10,941.07 | $235,434.07 |
| Year 16 | $19,114.27 | $10,109.11 | $216,319.81 |
| Year 17 | $19,984.08 | $9,239.29 | $196,335.72 |
| Year 18 | $20,893.49 | $8,329.89 | $175,442.24 |
| Year 19 | $21,844.27 | $7,379.10 | $153,597.97 |
| Year 20 | $22,838.32 | $6,385.05 | $130,759.65 |
| Year 21 | $23,877.61 | $5,345.77 | $106,882.04 |
| Year 22 | $24,964.19 | $4,259.19 | $81,917.86 |
| Year 23 | $26,100.21 | $3,123.16 | $55,817.64 |
| Year 24 | $27,287.94 | $1,935.44 | $28,529.71 |
| Year 25 | $28,529.71 | $693.66 | $0.00 |
Estimates only. How we calculate: home price minus your down payment, repaid in equal payments at your rate, with interest compounded semi-annually, as fixed-rate mortgages in Canada usually are. Accelerated payments are your monthly payment split in two (bi-weekly) or four (weekly), which pays the mortgage off sooner. With less than 20% down on a home under $1.5 million, the CMHC default insurance premium (2.80% to 4.00% of the loan, by down payment) is added to the mortgage; in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan, the provincial sales tax on it is due at closing and isn't included. Property tax and other fees are not included.
How Much Is Halifax's Deed Transfer Tax?
Halifax Regional Municipality charges deed transfer tax at 1.5% of what you pay for the home.3
| Purchase Price | Deed Transfer Tax (1.5%) |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $6,000 |
| $541,700 | $8,126 |
| $600,000 | $9,000 |
These numbers are for illustrative purposes only. Actual numbers may vary.
You have 10 days after taking title to register the deed, and paying late can bring penalties.3 You pay this tax in addition to your down payment, so a buyer at the benchmark price should save about $8,126 more.
Buyers who live outside Nova Scotia can be charged the province's 10% non-resident deed transfer tax as well. You can get out of it if you relocate to Nova Scotia no later than 12 months after buying and prove residency.
How Do Interest Rates Shape Halifax Home Prices?
Rates matter as much as list prices when you work out what you can afford. Higher mortgage rates make borrowing more expensive, which leaves fewer buyers able to purchase. With fewer buyers around, prices face downward pressure.
Lower rates have the opposite effect. Each buyer can borrow more for the same payment, more people are ready to buy, and that demand can push prices up.
On October 28, 2026, Halifax buyers saw the Bank of Canada's policy rate climb to 2.50%, up from 2.25%.4 Payments on variable-rate mortgages rise as a result. Sales were already lower across the province, at 929 homes in September 2026, a 6.4% decrease from a year earlier.2
What Drives The Average House Price In Halifax?
Several forces move home values in Halifax. These are the main ones.
How Many Homes Are For Sale
Prices follow supply and demand in Halifax just as they do anywhere. When demand outpaces supply, values rise and buyers accept higher prices.
With few listings and many buyers, sellers can hold out for more, and buyers may bid higher to beat competing offers on the same home.
When there are lots of listings and not many buyers, prices tend to stall. Nova Scotia is closer to that now: September 2026 ended with 6.1 months of inventory across the province, more than the long-run average of 5.1 months.2
Local Jobs And Wages
A strong local job market with good incomes means more people can afford to buy, so demand for homes goes up.
A weaker economy cuts buying power, which can pull prices lower.
Neighbourhood
Two similar homes can sell for very different prices depending on the part of the city they sit in.
Square Footage
Bigger homes take more materials to build, so extra space usually comes with a higher price.
Age And Upkeep
An older home that needs updating is usually worth less than a newer one in great shape.
Finishes
Upscale finishes raise a home's price. Buyers tend to pay more for hardwood and granite than for vinyl tile and linoleum counters.
How Do You Set A Realistic Halifax Home Budget?
Your income gives you a rough idea, but it's only a starting point. Work through the numbers in detail before you apply for a mortgage or book a viewing.
These steps will help you settle on a Halifax price range:
Add Up What You Spend Each Month
Income sets the ceiling, but your existing bills take a share of it every month, so they count just as much.
List every monthly cost so you can see what's free for a mortgage payment. That list might include:
- Rent
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Car loans
- Gas
- Car insurance
- Credit card bills
- Subscriptions
- Student loans
- Personal loans
- Entertainment
- Miscellaneous expenses
Work Out Your GDS And TDS
Two ratios, GDS for gross debt service and TDS for total debt service, show how much of your income is free for a mortgage once your other bills are counted. Lenders use them to decide whether to approve you and how much to lend.
What GDS And TDS Measure
GDS measures the slice of your income spent on housing: mortgage principal, interest, property taxes and other home costs.
TDS puts everything you owe each month, housing included, against your income. The pair is known as your debt service ratio.
Lenders cap both ratios to protect you and themselves. When you know where you stand, getting pre-approved for a mortgage shows the exact amount a lender will let you borrow.
What Price Range Fits Your Halifax Budget?
Plenty of Halifax homes list well above or below the $541,700 benchmark. What matters is choosing one that sits comfortably inside your budget, so calculate what you can afford before you shop.
An online mortgage affordability calculator gives you a quick estimate. Most ask for:
- Annual household income
- Down payment
- Monthly debt payments and bills
- Property location
- Home type
From those inputs, the calculator suggests a top price to stay under while you shop.
Which Costs Come With Owning A Halifax Home?
Your mortgage payment is just the start. Property tax is the largest added cost, and Halifax's 2026/27 budget raises the average single-family home's total tax bill by 7.5%.5
| Expense | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Property taxes | Halifax multiplies your assessed value by the general rate plus any area rates for your district. For 2026/27, you pay $0.687 per $100 for the urban residential general rate and $0.300 per $100 in provincial rates, or $0.987 per $100 in total.5 At an assessment of $500,000, expect roughly $4,935 a year. If an area rate like local transit ($0.095 per $100) covers your property, it's added on top. |
| Home insurance | A policy covering the house and your belongings is a regular cost to plan for. |
| Utilities | Expect monthly bills for heating, electricity, water, internet and your phone. |
| Maintenance and repairs | The roof, furnace and appliances eventually need replacing, so save a little toward repairs every month. |
| Condo fees | Condo fees are charged monthly, but they pay for some upkeep you'd otherwise handle yourself. |
Where Are Halifax Home Prices Heading In 2026?
Halifax prices have cooled since their spring record. After peaking at $572,700 in May 2026, the benchmark fell to $541,700 by September, 4.1% lower than a year earlier.1
Royal LePage's January 2026 forecast called for Halifax's aggregate home price to rise 2.0% in the fourth quarter of 2026.6 September's year-over-year drop makes that target look optimistic. Rising inventory across Nova Scotia and October's rate increase from the Bank of Canada could give you more choice and more bargaining power in the coming months.
Preparing To Buy In Halifax
Save your down payment and work on your credit before you buy in Halifax. At the September 2026 benchmark of $541,700, set aside about $2,520 to $3,100 for each monthly mortgage payment and about $8,126 for deed transfer tax at closing. A mortgage specialist can tell you which mortgages you qualify for, and a local real estate agent who knows Halifax can help you find a home that fits your budget.
Average House Price In Halifax FAQs
What's the average house price in Halifax, Nova Scotia?
Is Halifax an expensive place to buy a home?
Are Halifax home prices falling?
Is Halifax a buyer's market or a seller's market right now?
How much did Halifax prices change from 2025 to 2026?
What's the outlook for Halifax home prices for the rest of 2026?
What's the monthly mortgage cost for a $541,700 Halifax home?
What's the deed transfer tax on a Halifax home?
Sources
- Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). (2026). MLS Home Price Index data, not seasonally adjusted (monthly), Halifax-Dartmouth and Atlantic Canada. https://www.crea.ca/housing-market-stats/mls-home-price-index/hpi-tool/
- Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). (2026). Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS housing market statistics (September 2026). https://creastats.crea.ca/board/nsar
- Halifax Regional Municipality. (2026). Property tax information: deed transfer tax. https://www.halifax.ca/home-property/property-taxes/taxes-halifax
- Bank of Canada. (2026). Bank of Canada raises the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.50%. https://www.bankofcanada.ca/2026/10/fad-press-release-2026-10-28/
- Halifax Regional Municipality. (2026). Tax rates 2026/27. https://www.halifax.ca/home-property/property-taxes/tax-rates
- Royal LePage. (2026). Halifax housing price market report, Q4 2025 (forecast for Q4 2026). https://www.royallepage.ca/en/realestate/info-and-advice/market-reports-and-surveys/housing-price-market-report-halifax-q4-2025/
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