Over half of Canadians say they aren't living in their ideal home, according to a new survey
Canadian borrowers may have been living in the wrong homes, but they still wanted the classic detached-house ideal.
A new Century 21 Canada–Ipsos study found that 55% of Canadians said they are not living in their ideal home, and most want more space and a yard even as affordability remains the main obstacle.
“The Canadian dream of owning a moderate stand-alone house with a few bedrooms for family and a yard is as relevant today as it ever has been,” Todd Shyiak, executive vice-president of Century 21 Canada, said.
“Of course, the results are broadly diverse and available housing must reflect that. However, the majority of Canadians today want a house with about three bedrooms and a yard. This perhaps speaks to why many moderately priced communities just outside metro centres are experiencing a real estate boom.”
Canadians want bigger homes, bigger lots
The survey reported that 63% of respondents said they wanted more space, with the ideal home averaging 2,098 square feet. That's roughly 600 square feet larger than the 1,470-square-foot average identified in the study.
The typical wish list included three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, while 59% said a single detached house was their ideal living situation.
The report said that a bigger yard or garden, less upkeep, the ability to own rather than rent, and walkable access to restaurants and shops also ranked high.
“What struck me in the results is the satisfaction gap between owners and renters,” Sean Simpson, senior vice-president at Ipsos Public Affairs, said.
“Eighty per cent of homeowners say they love their home and it’s perfect for them, compared to just 50 per cent of renters. That 30-point gap helps explain why homeownership remains the goal for most Canadians – it’s not just about building equity, it’s about finding a place that truly feels like home.”
Affordability remains the breaking point
Among respondents who were not in their ideal home, 59% cited price as the main barrier, followed by the cost and difficulty of moving at 34% and saving for a down payment at 14%.
Nineteen per cent said they are at least somewhat likely to buy a home in the next year, and 55% of those prospective purchasers would have been first-time buyers. The study indicated that likely buyers expected to spend an average of $676,731.
The release also referenced a Statistics Canada average house price of $698,881.
Similarly, in RBC’s latest Spring Home Ownership Poll, 67% said they have always dreamed of buying a home, up from 62% a year earlier. Four in five viewed purchasing a home as one of life’s biggest financial milestones.
Ipsos conducted the online survey for Century 21 Canada from Feb. 6 to 10, 2026, interviewing a representative sample of 2,300 Canadians aged 18 and older through the Ipsos I‑Say panel.
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