Editor's note, October 6, 2026: this article was reviewed and rewritten in our accuracy check. An earlier version contained neighbourhood price levels, rent tables and market statistics we could not trace to a published source; they have been removed or replaced with figures from the sources listed at the end of the article.
Hamilton sits at the western end of Lake Ontario. Its population was 569,353 in the 2021 Census. The Niagara Escarpment divides the lower city, with downtown, the older neighbourhoods and the harbour, from the Mountain, the largely postwar and newer suburbs above it. The city also includes the former towns of Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and Glanbrook.
The market: Cornerstone's May 2026 figures
Hamilton's resale statistics are published by the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®. For May 2026, Cornerstone reported:
- Sales: 542, down 11.0% from May 2025
- New listings: 1,228, down 20.7%
- Average price: $755,202, down 3.3% year over year; median $692,500
- Inventory: 2,220 homes for sale, about 5.0 months of supply
- Composite benchmark: $687,300, down 6.8% year over year
Five months of supply gave buyers more choice than in recent springs. Check Cornerstone's latest monthly release for current figures.
Areas to know
- Lower city neighbourhoods near downtown and the west end (for example Kirkendall, Westdale near McMaster University, and Strathcona) have older brick homes close to amenities.
- The Mountain offers postwar bungalows and newer subdivisions, with access to the Lincoln Alexander Parkway.
- Dundas, Ancaster and Stoney Creek each have their own town centres and mostly detached housing.
Getting around
- GO Transit trains serve Hamilton GO Centre and West Harbour, and Aldershot GO is on the city's edge in Burlington.
- The Hamilton LRT along King Street is under construction.
What to check
- Older homes: wiring, plumbing and basement water; see our inspection guide.
- Second units: ask whether a basement or garden suite is permitted.
- Hamilton charges a 1% vacant unit tax on residential units vacant for more than 183 days in a year; owners must declare each year.
Outside the City of Toronto there's no municipal land transfer tax, so on a $700,000 purchase you pay Ontario's tax only: $10,475 (an eligible first-time buyer gets up to $4,000 of it refunded). In Toronto the same purchase costs $20,950 with both taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Toronto's land transfer tax if I buy in Hamilton?
No. Toronto's municipal land transfer tax applies only to property in the City of Toronto. In Hamilton you pay Ontario's land transfer tax, and an eligible first-time buyer can get up to $4,000 of it refunded.
How is my property tax worked out?
Your bill is your property's assessed value, set by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), multiplied by the total tax rate. Ontario has postponed province-wide reassessment, so 2026 property taxes are still based on assessed values as of January 1, 2016. A recent buyer's bill therefore reflects that 2016 value, not the price paid.
Can I add a second or third unit?
Since Ontario's More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, most residential lots with full municipal water and sewer services can have up to three units as of right (for example a basement apartment and a garden or garage suite), subject to the municipality's zoning and the Building Code. Check Hamilton's zoning by-law and get permits before you count on rental income from a new unit.
Is there a vacant home or vacant unit tax in Hamilton?
Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton have one; most other Ontario municipalities don't. If you're buying a second property or a home you may leave empty, check Hamilton's own rules.
Which school boards serve Hamilton?
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board run the English-language public and Catholic schools. French-language boards also operate. Catchments go by address, so check each board's school locator for the homes you're considering.
Thinking about buying here? Search current listings and recent sales on Summitly, talk to a licensed Summitly agent who works the area, or ask Zara, Summitly's AI virtual agent, for a neighbourhood briefing.
