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.
Kingston sits where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal, roughly halfway between Toronto and Montreal. Its population was 132,485 in the 2021 Census. Queen's University, the Royal Military College and Canadian Forces Base Kingston are major employers, along with health care and government, and the downtown is known for its 19th-century limestone buildings.
Areas to know
- Downtown and Sydenham: older limestone and brick homes near the waterfront; parts are heritage conservation districts.
- Near Queen's: many houses are student rentals.
- West end and north end: postwar and newer suburbs with more detached homes.
Student rentals
If you buy near campus to rent to students, the Residential Tenancies Act generally applies, and student houses are often rented by the room. Check the City of Kingston's rules on rental housing and second units for the specific property, and review existing leases before you firm up.
Heritage homes
Limestone buildings need specialist care: ask your inspector about mortar, moisture and foundations, and check heritage designations before planning exterior changes.
Getting around
Highway 401 runs across the north of the city, and VIA Rail's Toronto–Montreal and Toronto–Ottawa routes stop at Kingston station. Kingston Transit runs city buses.
Prices
Resale statistics for the Kingston area are published by the Kingston and Area Real Estate Association through CREA's statistics site. Check the latest month there, and look at recent sold prices for the specific neighbourhood.
Outside the City of Toronto there's no municipal land transfer tax, so on a $600,000 purchase you pay Ontario's tax only: $8,475 (an eligible first-time buyer gets up to $4,000 of it refunded). In Toronto the same purchase costs $16,950 with both taxes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Toronto's land transfer tax if I buy in Kingston?
No. Toronto's municipal land transfer tax applies only to property in the City of Toronto. In Kingston 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 Kingston'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 Kingston?
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 Kingston's own rules.
Which school boards serve Kingston?
The Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin and Lakeshore 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.
