Canadians earning a median income may struggle to buy homes in the country’s urban centers, but new research from Zoocasa highlights real estate markets where homes are within reach.

Zoocasa examined the affordability of homes in 17 major Canadian housing markets and found that people earning the median income for their city cannot afford to buy a home at the average price in 10 of those markets.

However, the findings suggest that buyers may have better luck outside major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa.

Where are homes affordable?

The city of Saint John stood out as having the highest level of home affordability, according to Zoocasa, at $79,000, where the median income is lower in the Atlantic Canadian city compared to the other listed markets, but the average home price in Saint John was listed as $291,000 – well below the maximum home price of $365,165 for median income.

Regina also emerged in terms of affordability at just under $111,000, as the capital of Saskatchewan had the largest gap between the average home price and the affordable range for median income. People there can afford up to $429,457 for a home in Regina, where the average home price was $318,700.

Both Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Quebec City, and Prince Edward Island also had average home prices within the affordable range for median income.

Zoocasa mentioned that the average home price was over a million dollars in Vancouver and Toronto, indicating that “it’s probably not surprising” that people earning a median income in those cities will find it difficult to buy a home at the average price.

The research also showed that people in higher median income cities will also struggle to buy a home.

The research indicated that Ottawa had the highest median income at $106,240, but “a home in the city at the current average price may still be out of reach,” as the average home was $160,000 above the maximum median wage.

Cities like Victoria and Calgary, which have the second and third highest median incomes, showed average home prices that were pricey for those earning income.