Calculate cap rate, NOI, and implied property value for any Canadian rental property.
The capitalization rate (cap rate) is the ratio of a property's Net Operating Income (NOI) to its purchase price or market value. It measures a property's income yield independent of financing — making it the most widely used metric for comparing rental properties.
| Cap Rate | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 3% | Very low yield — primarily appreciation play (common in Vancouver) |
| 3–4% | Low yield — appreciation-driven market (Toronto, Vancouver) |
| 4–5% | Moderate — approaching cash-flow neutral with financing |
| 5–7% | Good — positive cash flow likely with typical financing |
| 7%+ | Strong yield — smaller markets, higher risk/return |
| City | Typical Residential Cap Rate | Market Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 2.5–3.5% | Appreciation market |
| Toronto | 3.0–4.0% | Appreciation market |
| Ottawa | 3.5–4.5% | Near-neutral cash flow |
| Montreal | 4.0–5.0% | Mixed appreciation/yield |
| Calgary | 4.5–6.0% | Cash-flow positive |
| Edmonton | 5.5–7.0% | Strong yield market |
| Winnipeg | 5.0–6.5% | Strong yield market |
| Halifax | 4.5–5.5% | Growing yield market |
Cap rate ignores financing. Cash-on-cash return measures your actual return on the cash you invested (down payment). Both metrics are useful:
You can use cap rates to estimate what a property should be worth based on its income:
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Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYACap rate is the essential starting metric for evaluating any Canadian rental property. Use the calculator above to quickly assess any property's yield, compare it to local market cap rates, and decide if the income justifies the price. In low-cap-rate markets like Toronto and Vancouver, returns come primarily from appreciation — understand which type of market you're investing in before you buy.