Vancouver Housing Least Affordable In Canada

The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey finds Vancouver housing to be 'severely unaffordable', and 15th worst worldwide.

1 minute read

January 31, 2006, 7:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"Vancouver is the most unaffordable city in Canada for housing, and ranks 15th worst in the world, according to a study released last week. The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey found Vancouver had a housing affordability index of 6.6, measured by the median house price as a ratio of median income. Anything above 5.1 is considered 'severely unaffordable,' the report said. Los Angeles topped the world's cities with an index of 11.2, followed by San Diego and Honolulu, at 10.8 and 10.6 respectively. The most expensive city outside North America was Sydney, Australia with an index of 8.5. The survey looked at median house prices and incomes in 100 cities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States."

Thanks to Craig Townsend

Monday, January 30, 2006 in The Vancouver Sun

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

September 17, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A rendering of the planned bridge over a large river. The bridge has two main support beams that form diamond shaped arches over the bridge.

Alabama scores up to $2.5 billion federal loan for largest infrastructure project in state’s history

The Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project aims to ease congestion at Alabama’s worst bottleneck.

1 hour ago - NBC 15

Public land in Idaho. Most of the photo is a green field, with mountains and a forest in the distance.

Trump is considering data centers on 6 states' public land — some state officials say they had no idea

If the administration approves the proposed projects, data center and data center-related developments will cover 17,600 acres of public land.

2 hours ago - The Washington Sun

Two construction workers on a wind turbine, with two more in the background against a pink sky.

Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold

At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.

3 hours ago - Heatmap