Monthly Real Estate Market Update - January 2026 | High River, Okotoks, Calgary

The High River real estate market is entering 2026 with more balance — and more opportunity — than we’ve seen in the past two years.

📉 Prices

In December 2025, the median home price in High River held steady at $525,000 (+1% YoY). However, January 2026 showed a median price of $376,750, down 16% year-over-year.

That sharp drop may look dramatic, but it’s important to understand that monthly median prices can shift significantly depending on what type of homes sell. A higher percentage of townhomes or lower-priced detached homes trading in January can pull the median down without signaling a collapse in overall property values.

By comparison:

• Okotoks median price: $610,000 (-4% YoY)

• Calgary median price: $555,500 (-3% YoY)

Across the region, pricing has cooled slightly.

📊 Sales Activity

Despite softer prices, High River sales were actually up 13% year-over-year in January. Buyers are still active.

Meanwhile:

• Okotoks sales rose 6% YoY

• Calgary sales declined 15% YoY

High River appears comparatively resilient in activity levels.

📦 Inventory & Supply

This is where we see the biggest shift.

Inventory in High River is up 64% year-over-year. More homes are available, which gives buyers options and reduces the urgency we saw during peak seller-market conditions.

Inventory is also up significantly in:

• Okotoks (+16% YoY)

• Calgary (+21% YoY)

The Sales-to-New-Listings Ratio in High River declined from 84% to 72%, indicating movement toward a more balanced market.

⏱ Days on Market

Homes are taking longer to sell:

• High River: 49 days (+17% YoY)

• Okotoks: 52 days (+18% YoY)

• Calgary: 53 days (+33% YoY)

This suggests buyers are taking more time and negotiating more carefully.

What’s Driving These Changes?

Several broader economic factors are at play:

Interest Rates

While inflation has moderated nationally, borrowing costs remain elevated compared to the ultra-low-rate period of 2020–2021. Even small interest rate shifts significantly impact affordability for buyers.

Alberta’s Economic Position

Alberta continues to outperform much of Canada economically, supported by energy sector stability and strong interprovincial migration. Many Canadians are relocating to Alberta for affordability and employment opportunities.

However:

• Household debt remains high nationally.

• Consumer confidence fluctuates.

• Federal policy, inflation management, and global energy markets continue to influence local momentum.

Migration & Demographics

Alberta’s population growth supports housing demand long-term, including in bedroom communities like High River. But demand is normalizing after several exceptionally strong years.

What This Means for Buyers

• More homes to choose from.

• Less bidding-war pressure.

• Greater negotiation room.

• Strategic timing matters.

This is not a crash — it’s a rebalancing.

What This Means for Sellers

• Pricing correctly matters more than ever.

• Presentation and marketing are critical.

• Expect longer timelines than 2022–2023 peaks.

• Well-priced homes are still selling.

The Bottom Line

High River is transitioning from a fast-paced seller’s market to a more balanced environment. Compared to Okotoks and Calgary, activity remains steady, but inventory growth signals a healthier, more sustainable pace.

For 2026, expect:
✔ More negotiating power for buyers
✔ Stable but sensitive pricing
✔ Continued regional economic support from Alberta’s growth