Between the down payment, legal fees, mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance, and several other costs, buying a house in Ontario can get expensive pretty quickly. That's why more and more homebuyers are looking beyond the higher-priced markets and choosing cities where the same budget can get them a lot more - especially as the gap between household income and housing costs continues to grow. Now, out of all the affordable housing markets in Ontario, Kingston - located on the north-eastern end of Lake Ontario - is one city that continues to rank among the best. In this city, townhouses still remain one of the best property types because they offer so much at a relatively affordable price. Right now, the average listing price of a townhouse for sale in Kingston is $ 538,110 - the average selling price is $ 519,879 . And if you haven't looked into them yet, here are some of the biggest perks you'll enjoy with most townhouses -
So, if you're ready to explore the townhouses in the Kingston real estate market, simply scroll above - you can easily book a private showing for any property that catches your eye. Right now, 65 townhouses are available for sale in Kingston. You can also check out upcoming open houses in Kingston - it's a great way to get a real feel for the housing market and build a clearer picture of what you want in your new home. Take the next step now!
Kingston sits at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, right where Lake Ontario meets the St.Lawrence River and the Cataraqui River. This unique location has made the city an important transportation and military centre throughout Canadian history. Kingston is also strategically located between three of Canada's largest cities in the region -
The city is also around 50 km from the U.S. border via the Thousand Islands Crossing.
Everyday living costs in Kingston are generally easier on the wallet than in many larger Ontario cities like Toronto and Ottawa. Now, while renting in Kingston can be on the pricey side - mostly because of steady demand from students, military families, and healthcare professionals - buying a home in Kingston is still more affordable than in many of Ontario's bigger cities. Beyond housing, day-to-day expenses are fairly reasonable in this city - groceries, utilities, public transit, dining out, and everyday essentials are generally priced around the Canadian average, so keeping up with monthly bills is often easier than you might think.
Over the years, Kingston has built a strong reputation for itself as one of Ontario's most affordable places to buy a home. No doubt, home prices in Kingston have almost consistently been on an upward trend - but they're still noticeably lower than what you'll find in much of the GTA and several other cities in Ontario. And that's truly great news for townhouse buyers - with the same budget, you can often get more living space, better features, or even a premium location than you would in many other Ontario cities.
| Average Property Prices in Kingston by Home Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| PROPERTY TYPE | AVG LISTING PRICE | AVG SELLING PRICE |
| Detached Homes | $ 841,445 | $ 707,845 |
| Semi-Detached Houses | $ 582,631 | $ 520,249 |
| Townhouses | $ 538,110 | $ 519,879 |
| Condo Apartments | $ 494,207 | $ 400,655 |
Property tax rates in Kingston are generally a little higher than the Ontario average. Now, that might sound like a downside at first - but there's more to it than that. Since properties in Kingston are generally more affordable, the slightly higher tax bill doesn't necessarily mean you'll pay more overall to own a home. It's also worth remembering that these property taxes help pay for the services people rely on every day. They help cover several things that keep everything running smoothly and help maintain the city's quality of life, such as -
Residential property tax rate in Kingston (2025) -
1.551784 %
Source - WOWA
One of the biggest perks of living in Kingston is how easy it is to get from one place to another. Unlike many larger Ontario cities, you won't find yourself spending hours sitting in traffic or making long trips across town - in fact, most places are only a short drive away, and the average one-way commute to work is around 20 minutes. If you'd rather not drive, Kingston Transit runs bus routes throughout the city, including express services during busy hours. The city is also adding more cycling lanes and multi-use trails - a step that's going to make walking or biking for shorter trips easier. Heading a little further? VIA Rail offers regular service to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal - and if you're driving, Highway 401 makes it easy to reach those cities and other parts of Eastern Ontario.
A strong local economy is one of the biggest reasons Kingston continues to attract new residents and support a healthy housing market. Rather than depending on just industry, in this city, jobs are spread across -
That balanced mix helps keep the local economy on solid ground while creating opportunities across a wide range of professions.
On top of that, Kingston continues to see investment in life sciences, clean technology, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing - these industries are bringing in new businesses, encouraging innovation, and creating even more job opportunities.
There's a good reason Kingston is often called one of Canada's best university cities. It's home to Queen's University - one of the country's leading universities - along with the Royal Military College of Canada and St. Lawrence College. But that's not the whole picture - there's a lot more to Kingston's education system than its post-secondary institutions.
Kingston is served by English and French public school boards, along with Catholic school boards, giving families plenty of choice when it comes to elementary and secondary education. Better yet, many schools also offer specialized programs like French Immersion, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, skilled trades, art, and STEM-focused learning.
You'll be glad to know that Kingston serves as the healthcare hub for much of Eastern Ontario. At the centre of the city's healthcare is Kingston Health Sciences - this includes Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital. From emergency care and cancer treatment to heart care, maternity services, surgery, and pediatric care, many of the region's most specialized medical services are available right in these healthcare centres. The hospitals also work closely with Queen's University, helping advance medical research, support innovation, and attract highly trained healthcare professionals. Beyond the hospitals, throughout the city, you'll also find -
Kingston's overall crime rate is slightly higher than the Canadian average. But before you let that put you off, it's worth noting that much of that is concentrated in the busy downtown area - here, restaurants, nightlife, tourist attractions, and a large student population naturally bring more people and activity. However, head into Kingston's residential neighbourhoods, and you'll quickly notice things feel a lot quieter. Add proactive policing and ongoing crime prevention programs to the mix, and it's easy to understand why so many people still see Kingston as a comfortable and welcoming place to call home.
Sitting right along Highway 401, Kingston is perfectly placed between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Thanks to this, all three cities are just a short drive away whether you're heading out for work, visiting family, or planning a quick weekend escape. VIA Rail also makes getting to the city from Kingston just as easy. Additionally, the Thousand Islands region and the U.S. border are only a short trip away from the city. This means residents have even more options for getting out, exploring, and enjoying their free time.
Kingston strikes a great balance - here, you get the convenience of a larger city, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, shopping centres, and entertainment options, but without the traffic and constant rush often seen in the bigger cities. That leaves you with more time to enjoy everything the city of Kingston has to offer, from relaxing by the waterfront to exploring parks, walking trails, marinas, and beaches throughout the warmer months. And when winter rolls around, local markets, cultural festivals, and seasonal events keep the city lively.
If education and healthcare are high on your priority list, Kingston has a lot to offer. Here, parents can choose from a wide range of public, Catholic, and French-language schools, along with several well-known private schools - and once high school is over, students don't have to move away to continue their education, thanks to institutions like Queen's University, St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College. Healthcare is another area where Kingston stands out, with Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Providence Care Hospital, and a network of speciality clinics providing quality medical care.
Kingston's economy isn't built around just one industry - instead, it's supported by a healthy mix of sectors such as healthcare, education, public administration, defence, tourism, and advanced manufacturing. That diversity has helped the city stay steady through changing economic conditions - and also given residents a broader range of job opportunities than many other cities of a similar size.
Kingston has become a lot more popular over the years, and because of that, the housing market is getting more competitive than many buyers expect. Even though prices of Kingston townhomes for sale are still lower than in many parts of the GTA, landing a home in one of the more desirable neighbourhoods often means moving quickly - and being realistic about your budget and the size of the home you can get.
Kingston has plenty of job opportunities, especially in healthcare, education, government, and defence. That said, in some sectors - finance, technology, or large corporate businesses - you may not come across as many local employers as you would in bigger cities.
Kingston Transit offers dependable service across much of the city - around the downtown area and Queen's University, especially. However, once you head into suburban neighbourhoods and newer residential developments, buses tend to run less often.
Kingston offers the kind of balance that's becoming harder and harder to find in Ontario - great schools, excellent healthcare, a stable job market, and a lifestyle centred around the waterfront. Sure, every city comes with its set of drawbacks, and Kingston is no different. But if you're after the right mix of affordability, lifestyle, and long-term stability, Kingston continues to be a great choice.
So, if you're financially and emotionally ready to make a townhouse for sale in Kingston your own, now's the time to start your search. And if you'd like to explore other parts of Eastern Ontario, you can check out townhouses in Peterborough, Belleville, and Kawartha Lakes.
As of now, in the Kingston real estate market, the average listing price of detached houses is $ 841,445 , semi-detached houses is $ 582,631 , townhouses is $ 538,110 , and condo apartments is $ 494,207 .
Currently, there are 334 detached houses, 51 semi-detached houses, 65 townhouses, and 73 condo apartments available for sale in Kingston.
The best neighbourhoods depend on your lifestyle and priorities, but Hillendale, Gardiners, Polson Park, Downtown Kingston and Inner Harbour are some of Kingston's most desirable neighbourhoods.
Condo townhouses for sale in Kingston, Ontario, feel more like a traditional home, with multiple floors, a private entrance and sometimes a small yard or garage. A condo apartment, on the other hand, is a single-level unit in a shared building, typically offering more amenities and requiring less day-to-day maintenance.
You can continue saving, look at more affordable homes, explore gifted down payment options if eligible, or check out programs and strategies that may help you qualify sooner.