Are Acreage Prices Near Calgary Going Up or Down in 2025?

Are Acreage Prices Near Calgary Going Up or Down in 2025?

If you're considering buying or selling acreage property near Calgary, you're probably wondering about market trends and where prices are headed. The rural real estate market around Calgary presents a complex picture in 2025, with several competing forces at play. Let's dive deep into the current state of acreage prices and what factors are influencing this unique segment of Alberta's real estate market.

Current Market Overview: A Tale of Two Trends

The Calgary area real estate market in 2025 is experiencing what experts call a "gradual cooling" period, but acreage properties are following their own distinct trajectory. While the broader Calgary housing market has shown mixed signals—with average prices up 0.5% while median prices are up 2.4% year-over-year as of August 2025—rural and acreage properties near the city are influenced by different market dynamics.

Metro Calgary home values have shown steady growth, with recent trends indicating a gradual cooling in price increases. While the past few years have strongly favoured sellers, shifting inventory levels are beginning to balance conditions, giving buyers more negotiating power.

However, this market shift affects urban and rural properties differently, with acreage properties maintaining their appeal for specific buyer demographics.

Key Factors Driving Acreage Prices in 2025

1. Population Growth and Migration Patterns

Calgary continues to attract new residents from other provinces, particularly Ontario and British Columbia. The city has been a choice destination for buyers from Ontario and British Columbia throughout the pandemic and the trend continues, with interprovincial migration remaining strong in 2025.

This influx of new residents, many coming from higher-priced markets, has maintained demand for country residential properties. Many of these buyers are seeking:

• More space and privacy after urban living experiences
• Better value compared to similar properties in their origin markets
• Lifestyle changes prioritizing outdoor recreation and rural living

2. Interest Rate Environment

The current interest rate environment significantly impacts acreage buyers. With Canada's policy rate at 2.75%, financing costs remain a crucial consideration for acreage purchases, which typically require larger down payments and may have different lending criteria than urban properties.

Rural properties often require specialized financing, and "Country Residential" is commonly the zoning for these types of properties. Rural is a larger acreage frequently 40, 80, or 160 acres (160 acres =1/4 section). Agricultural land is for farming use & cannot be financed by normal mortgage companies or banks.

3. Supply and Inventory Levels

Unlike urban properties, acreage supply near Calgary is naturally limited by geography and zoning regulations. This scarcity factor continues to support prices, even as urban markets see increasing inventory levels.

The types of acreage properties available vary significantly in price ranges, from properties in the $400,000-$500,000 range to premium acreages exceeding $800,000-$900,000, depending on:

• Size of the property
• Quality and age of structures
• Proximity to Calgary
• Amenities and features
• Access to utilities and services

Geographic Considerations: Where Are Prices Moving?

Close-in Acreages (Within 30-45 minutes of Calgary)

These properties remain the most sought-after and price-stable due to their convenience for commuters. Areas like:

• Foothills County
• Rocky View County
• Parts of Mountain View County

These locations continue to see steady demand from professionals who work in Calgary but prefer rural living.

Farther Rural Properties (45+ minutes from Calgary)

More distant acreages may see more price volatility, as they appeal to a smaller buyer pool focused on:

• Full-time rural lifestyle
• Agricultural or hobby farming
• Retirement properties
• Investment/recreational properties

Market Predictions for Late 2025 and Beyond

Based on current trends and market analysis, here's what we can expect for acreage prices near Calgary:

Short-term Outlook (Remainder of 2025)

• Modest stability to slight increases: Acreage prices are likely to remain relatively stable or see modest increases of 1-3%
• Seasonal patterns: Expect typical seasonal variations with spring/summer showing more activity
• Buyer leverage: Purchasers may have slightly more negotiating power than in recent peak market years

Medium-term Factors (2026-2027)

Several factors will continue to influence the market:

Supportive Factors for Price Growth:

• Continued population growth in Alberta
• Limited supply of well-located acreage properties
• Ongoing appeal of rural lifestyle post-pandemic
• Calgary's relatively affordable housing compared to Vancouver and Toronto markets

Potential Price Pressures:

• Interest rate fluctuations
• Economic uncertainty affecting discretionary purchases
• Increased inventory in some segments
• Infrastructure and utility costs for rural properties

Different Property Types, Different Trajectories

Not all acreage properties will follow the same price trends:

Country Residential (1-5 acres)

These properties with modern homes and city conveniences are likely to maintain their value best, appealing to the broadest buyer base.

Hobby Farms (5-40 acres)

Properties suitable for small-scale agriculture or horse keeping may see varied performance based on local zoning and agricultural trends.

Larger Rural Holdings (40+ acres)

These properties often appeal to specialized buyers and may see more price volatility based on agricultural commodity markets and investment trends.

What This Means for Buyers and Sellers

For Potential Buyers:

• Timing: While not experiencing rapid price escalation, good properties still move relatively quickly
• Financing: Ensure pre-approval and understand rural property lending requirements
• Due diligence: Rural properties require more extensive inspection of wells, septic systems, and utility access
• Long-term perspective: Focus on lifestyle and long-term value rather than short-term appreciation

For Current Owners/Sellers:

• Market positioning: Price competitively as buyers have more options than in recent peak years
• Property preparation: Ensure all rural systems are well-maintained and documented
• Timing flexibility: Allow adequate time for marketing to the right buyer demographic
• Professional guidance: Work with agents experienced in rural properties

Latest Market Snapshot – August 2025

The CREB® Regional Report (August 2025) shows Calgary dominating sales with 78% of regional transactions. The city recorded 1,989 sales and a benchmark price of $577,200. Surrounding areas remained active:

• Airdrie – 152 sales, benchmark price $531,100
• Chestermere – 38 sales, benchmark price $703,000
• Rocky View Region – 125 sales, benchmark price $652,100
• Foothills Region – 96 sales, benchmark price $648,700
• Mountain View, Wheatland, Kneehill, and Vulcan each saw smaller but steady activity

Year-to-date, Calgary has surpassed 16,485 sales, while Airdrie (1,248) and Foothills (933) continue to post solid numbers. Inventory levels point to a balanced to tight market in most regions.

For full regional breakdowns, you can view the official report here: CREB® Monthly Regional Stats Package (PDF)

Conclusion: Cautious Optimism for Acreage Markets

The acreage market near Calgary in 2025 can be characterized by cautious optimism. While dramatic price increases appear unlikely, the fundamental factors supporting rural property values remain intact. Calgary's housing market is expected to see steady price increases in 2025 due to strong population growth and relatively affordable home prices.

For acreage properties specifically, we expect:

• Stability over volatility: Prices should remain relatively stable with modest growth potential
• Quality matters more: Well-located, well-maintained properties will outperform average rural real estate
• Buyer selectivity: Purchasers are becoming more discerning, focusing on value and specific lifestyle needs
• Regional variations: Properties closer to Calgary and with better amenities will likely see better price performance

The key for both buyers and sellers is understanding that the acreage market operates on different fundamentals than urban real estate. Location, property condition, and specific buyer needs play larger roles than broad market trends. Working with professionals who understand the rural market nuances remains crucial for making informed decisions in this specialized segment of Alberta's real estate landscape.

Whether you're looking to buy your first acreage property or considering selling rural land you've owned for years, 2025 presents opportunities for both sides of the transaction—just with more emphasis on realistic pricing, thorough preparation, and patient marketing than the heated seller's market of recent years.