When Do Immigrants Start Buying Homes In Canada?
Immigrants in Canada gradually transition into homeownership and often end up owning homes at higher rates than people born in Canada. A new study by Statistics Canada offers insights into this journey, outlining when do immigrants start buying homes in Canada.
So, let us discuss it in detail!
What The Study Reveals About Immigrant Housing Trends?
A recent report by Statistics Canada, authored by Haozhen Zhang and Feng Hou, looks closely at how immigrants and non-permanent residents (like those on work or study permits) use housing. The focus is on owned versus rented homes, using data collected from the 2021 national census.
The researchers tracked housing usage rates per 1,000 individuals and found a clear trend: the longer immigrants stay in Canada, the more likely they are to own homes. Meanwhile, the number of renters gradually declines.
The journey toward homeownership, as shown in the study, can be divided into several key phases.
0–5 Years After Arrival
During the first few years in Canada, most immigrants rent homes. This is a time of adjustment—people are focused on settling in, building savings, and establishing a credit history. Buying a home right away is less common.
In these early years, the difference between rented and owned housing units per 1,000 people is quite large. However, as time progresses, the gap narrows, and ownership begins to climb.
| Years Since Admission | Owned Units Per 1,000 People | Rented Units Per 1,000 People |
| 0 | 52 | 269 |
| 1 | 70 | 236 |
| 2 | 89 | 216 |
| 3 | 125 | 202 |
| 4 | 146 | 186 |
| 5 | 147 | 170 |
5–10 Years After Arrival
When immigrants start buying homes in Canada? Well, after five years, the shift toward homeownership becomes more visible. By year six, more immigrants are living in owned homes than rented ones. This period marks a turning point in the homeownership journey.
Between years five and ten, housing usage climbs from 341 to 367 units per 1,000 people. This is a notable increase from the 321 units recorded during the initial year.
| Years Since Admission | Owned Units Per 1,000 People | Rented Units Per 1,000 People |
| 5 | 147 | 170 |
| 6 | 177 | 164 |
| 7 | 195 | 160 |
| 8 | 197 | 154 |
| 9 | 211 | 147 |
| 10 | 218 | 150 |
10+ Years After Arrival
As immigrants pass the ten-year mark in Canada, their use of owned housing units continues to increase, bringing them closer to the levels seen among Canadian-born residents. Renting declines steadily but remains part of the picture for some.
| Years Since Admission | Owned Units Per 1,000 People | Rented Units Per 1,000 People |
| 11 | 233 | 145 |
| 12 | 242 | 142 |
| 13 | 246 | 141 |
| 14 | 252 | 144 |
15+ Years After Arrival
By year 15, immigrants are using more housing units overall than people born in Canada. Their average housing use reaches 409 units per 1,000 people, compared to 397 for Canadian-born individuals.
This trend continues over time. By the 20th year, immigrants average 454 housing units per 1,000 people.
| Years since admission | Owned Units Per 1,000 People | Rented Units Per 1,000 People |
| 15 | 267 | 143 |
| 16 | 282 | 137 |
| 17 | 290 | 138 |
| 18 | 304 | 135 |
| 19 | 311 | 133 |
| 20 | 321 | 132 |
What Drives These Housing Trends?
When immigrants start buying homes in Canada? Well, several social and cultural factors contribute to these trends in homeownership among immigrants.
In the beginning, newcomers often live in larger households that may include extended family members such as parents or grandparents. This setup helps reduce costs during a financially challenging transition period.
Over time, household structures tend to change. As immigrants gain financial stability, household sizes shrink. Children move out, income and savings increase, and many families start to embrace the Canadian preference for smaller, nuclear households.
This cultural and economic shift leads to more people living independently and seeking homeownership. As a result, the number of housing units used per 1,000 people rises steadily.
Economic Success Fuels Homeownership
Another key driver is the economic success of immigrants, particularly those in the economic immigration category. These individuals are selected based on their education, language ability, and work experience—all of which make them more likely to thrive in the Canadian job market.
With stable employment and growing incomes, many immigrants can qualify for mortgages and save enough for down payments. These factors play a major role in the shift from renting to owning a home.
As the years pass, more immigrants transition into homeownership, demonstrating their resilience and long-term commitment to life in Canada.
Overall, the Statistics Canada study paints a hopeful picture: while newcomers may start their Canadian journey renting, time, effort, and economic stability pave the way for increasing homeownership and successful settlement.
If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].
