Current Mortgage Rates in Alberta
Alberta mortgage rates you can get from a broker
Big Six mortgage rates available in Alberta
3-Year Fixed | 4.67% | 4.66% | 4.59% | 4.48% | 6.05% | 4.824% |
3-Year Variable | 7.78% (open) | 4.07% | -- | -- | 5.95% | -- |
5-Year Fixed | 4.76% (insured) 4.86% (uninsured) | 4.51% (insured) 4.86% (uninsured) | 4.43% (insured) 4.68% (uninsured) | 4.32% (insured) 4.62% (uninsured) | 6.09% | 4.961% (insured) 4.961% (uninsured) |
5-Year Variable | 4.12% | 4.12% | 4.49% | 3.68% (insured) 3.98% (uninsured) | 4.90% | 4.311% |
Rates in bold are discounted, annual percentage rates (APR), which include additional fees.
Alberta mortgage rate update: May 2026
In May, the mortgage market in Alberta will be the tale of two rate types.
Variable mortgage rates should remain relatively affordable after the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on April 29, 2026. Since the overnight rate directly affects variable rates, they’ll stay at their current levels until the Bank announces either a hike or cut.
The Bank’s next rate announcement is scheduled for June 10. A rate hike could be in store if inflation ramps up and seems lasting. That makes choosing a variable rate somewhat risky, but it would still take multiple rate hikes for variables to become as high as today’s best fixed rates.
Fixed mortgage rates are where the real uncertainty lies.
Government bond yields remain elevated due to the Iran war’s impact on oil prices and inflation. This matters because lenders use yields to price their fixed rates.
The war could shift from stalemate to active conflict at any minute. If hostilities further damage energy infrastructure or destabilize the global supply chain, yields could spike and take fixed rates with them.
All of this adds up to a queasy situation for home buyers in Alberta. In times like these, it’s imperative to speak to a mortgage professional (or two) to weigh all of your options.
Mortgage rate forecast
Variable rates
Variable mortgage rates weren't forecasted to move in 2026, but the war in Iran has changed the game.
By driving up oil prices and inflation expectations, the Bank of Canada has warned that higher rates may be needed to keep inflation near its 2% target.
If the Bank increases its overnight rate, variable mortgage rates will follow suit. That could happen as early as this summer.
If the Canadian economy falters, the Bank may be compelled to deliver a rate cut at some point. But it's hard to picture a rate cut coming just if inflation's about to spike.
Fixed rates
As of May 2026, fixed mortgage rates have already risen considerably due to rapid increases in government bond yields. (Lenders use bond yields to price their fixed rates.) Yields skyrocketed after the war in Iran caused oil prices to spike, raising fears of inflation and future Bank of Canada rate increases.
Predicting where fixed rates head in the coming months depends heavily on the war in Iran. If it wraps up without further damage being done to oil and food supplies, bond yields should recede and take fixed mortgage rates with them. If the war escalates and worsens the global financial outlook, yields and fixed rates could increase even further.
Read more about the Bank of Canada's latest rate announcement.
The BoC makes policy interest rate announcements eight times a year. Find out how its latest decision might impact Canada's housing market.
How to get a lower mortgage rate in Alberta
While some factors that affect rates are beyond your control, there are things you can do to encourage Alberta’s lenders and brokers to offer you the best mortgage rates. For example, you can:
Improve your credit score. To start, pay down any outstanding debt and pay off every bill in full.
Increase your income. This isn’t always easy, but any additional income will improve your financial position.
Decrease your total debts. Lenders consider your total debt load when determining the details of your loan.
Consider all your options. See if adjusting the loan type, the term length or the amortization period of your loan could help.
Frequently asked questions
What's today's mortgage rate in Alberta?
There’s no single mortgage rate in Alberta. Rates differ based on the lender, rate type and term length. For example, fixed rates in Alberta are currently around 3.9% at mortgage brokers but well over 4% at major banks.
What’s a good mortgage rate in Alberta right now?
As of May, the lowest variable mortgage rates in Alberta are around 3.4%. The lowest fixed rates are closer to 3.9%.
Are mortgage rates in Alberta different than in B.C. or Ontario?
Currently, no. National lenders and mortgage brokers tend to offer similar rates to home buyers in these provinces, especially in large urban centres.
How can I get a lower mortgage rate in Alberta?
Getting a lower mortgage rate generally means presenting yourself as a low-risk borrower to Alberta’s lenders and brokers. You can do this by making a larger down payment, lowering your debt service ratios and paying off other debts.
What’s the minimum down payment for a house in Alberta?
Minimum down payment rules are the same in every province. To get a mortgage in Alberta, you’ll have to put at least 5% down on a home worth up to $500,000. If the home is worth between $500,000 and $1.5 million, you’ll need to put down 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the remaining amount. For homes worth more than $1.5 million, a 20% down payment is required.
How are mortgage rates determined in Alberta?
Mortgage rates are influenced by economic factors, like the Bank of Canada’s overnight rate (variable rates) and government bond yields (fixed rates). The rate you’re ultimately offered will depend on your savings, income, debt and credit score.
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Getting a mortgage in Alberta
Mortgage lenders in Alberta
There are many places to get a mortgage in Alberta. In addition to Canada’s biggest banks, you can also find mortgages at:
Credit unions.
Monoline lenders, which only provide mortgages.
Alternative lenders, which often service borrowers with lower credit scores.
Private lenders, which can range from individuals to large nationwide companies.
Here are some examples of different mortgage providers in Alberta. You can find reviews of several of them in our mortgage review hub.
Banks | Credit Unions |
|---|---|
ATB Financial | Servus Credit Union |
Canadian Western Bank | ConnectFirst Credit Union |
Royal Bank of Canada | Vision Credit Union |
Scotiabank | Bow Valley Credit Union |
TD Canada Trust | Rocky Credit Union |
Brokerages | Direct Lenders |
True North Mortgage | First National Financial |
Mortgage Architects | nesto |
Dominion Lending Centres | MCAP |
CanQuest Mortgage | Home Trust Corporation |
Centum | Canadiana Financial |
The mortgage process in Alberta
Getting a mortgage in Alberta isn’t any different than getting one in any other province. The real differences are often at the lender level, where you might encounter different mortgage rates and lending guidelines.
Getting a mortgage in Alberta generally involves the following steps:
Checking your credit score. If your credit score’s below 620, it might limit the lenders you’re able to borrow from. If it’s relatively low in general, this might be an opportunity to pay down some debt prior to applying for a mortgage.
Comparing mortgage rates. View rates from multiple sources — banks, credit unions and mortgage brokers — to help determine who you’d like to work with.
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Reach out to a lender and have them take a thorough look at your finances. Once this process is complete, you’ll have an accurate estimate of what you’ll be able to borrow and how much you’ll pay in interest charges.
Finding a home and putting in a successful offer. This isn’t something you can do safely without being pre-approved first.
Formally applying for a mortgage. Even though you’ve been pre-approved, your lender will need to give your finances a final evaluation before signing off on your loan.
Mistakes to avoid when getting a mortgage in Alberta
Choosing a mortgage based solely on rate. The lowest rate available might be attached to a mortgage with limited features. Discuss the details with your lender or mortgage broker.
Not comparing a variety of lenders. There are a lot of mortgage providers in Alberta. Make sure you’re comparing banks, brokers and credit unions so you don’t miss out on what might be the ideal mortgage for your needs.
Not negotiating. Mortgage rates are negotiable. Always ask a lender or broker what more they can do to decrease the rate you’re offered.
Borrowing too much. Borrowing the maximum amount allowed by your lender can help you buy more house, but it can mean less money for essentials, savings and investments.
Buying a home in Alberta
Provincial first-time home buyer programs
Some first-time home buyers in Alberta can take advantage of assistance programs offered by both regional and government programs.
For example, Attainable Homes Calgary (AHC) helps people with a household income of up to $131,424 fund a down payment. If you sell your home later, you repay AHC the loaned amount plus a portion of any equity appreciation.
Paying land transfer taxes
Alberta charges two fees: one to process the transfer of the property title and another to register your mortgage.
- You'll pay $50 plus an additional $2 per $5,000 of the property's purchase price for the title transfer.
- For the mortgage registration, you'll pay $50 plus $1.50 for each $5,000 of your mortgage amount.
Alberta housing market update
March 2026 was a rough month for the Alberta housing market, as higher mortgage rates, a shaky job market and rising living costs continued throttling home sales. Sales were down almost 13% year-over-year. Year-to-date, sales were 14% lower than in the first quarter of 2025.
So it’s no surprise that inventory is piling up in the province. Active listings, the homes still available at the end of a month, were up 4% in March and totalled more than 17,100 properties. And that’s factoring in an 8% drop in new listings.
The average sale price in Alberta, $533,201, still managed to eke out a 2% annual increase in March, thanks to what could be short-term spikes in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Prices were flat in Edmonton and Calgary.
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Clay Jarvis
Clay Jarvis