CREB®’s June 1, 2026 report shows Cochrane pulling ahead of its neighbours this spring.
Benchmark price: January vs May 2026
Cochrane
Unlike other areas, Cochrane sales continue to rise above last year and long-term trends. The 115 sales in May met 188 new listings, a 61% ratio, and months of supply stayed just under three. The benchmark price rose to $576,400, up from $550,800 in January, though still 1% below last year. See our Cochrane guide.
Airdrie
Sales slowed to levels more consistent with long-term trends, with a 53% ratio and just over three months of supply. The benchmark price was $515,000, slightly higher than January but 5% below last year, as new homes and supply in nearby areas compete for buyers.
Okotoks
There were 72 sales and 121 new listings, a 60% ratio, and a little over two months of supply. The benchmark price eased to $618,900, lower than April and last year but above January. CREB noted that new supply just outside town and in south Calgary has likely limited upward price pressure. See our Okotoks guide.
Why Cochrane stands out
Most markets around Calgary saw sales fall this spring. Cochrane is the exception: sales are above both last year and long-term trends. Inventory has stayed relatively stable through the spring, so months of supply stayed just below three. With less inventory building up than elsewhere, prices kept rising, by $25,600 since January. They are still 1% below last May, which shows how far prices had to recover.
Airdrie: back to normal activity
Airdrie’s sales have slowed to levels more consistent with long-term trends, and new listings have started to ease compared with last year. A 53% ratio and just over three months of supply mean a relatively balanced market. The price of $515,000 has improved from January, but CREB points to competition from the new home market and more supply in surrounding areas and in Calgary as reasons it remains 5% below last year.
Okotoks: small market, bigger swings
Okotoks has fewer sales than the other two towns, and CREB notes that this tends to create more volatility in monthly price movements. In May the benchmark dipped from April, but it is still higher than at the beginning of the year. Inventory remains below long-term trends for the town, and new supply just outside Okotoks and in south Calgary has likely limited price growth.
How the towns compare with Calgary
The City of Calgary had a benchmark price of $570,500 in May and 3.12 months of supply. Airdrie is the most affordable of the three towns, about $55,000 below Calgary’s benchmark. Cochrane is slightly above Calgary and Okotoks about $48,000 above. Keep in mind that each benchmark reflects the local mix of homes, so compare similar property types when you shop.
Practical takeaways
- Buyers in Cochrane: expect competition and rising prices. If you find the right home, be ready to act.
- Buyers in Airdrie: compare resale with new homes in town and in north Calgary; builders’ incentives can change the math.
- Sellers in Okotoks: because monthly prices swing, base your price on several recent sales rather than one month’s benchmark.
- Everyone: spring is the busiest season. Listings that do not sell by early summer often need a price adjustment.
- Commuters: if you are weighing a town against Calgary, add the cost and time of the daily drive to your budget, not just the price difference.
Reading the numbers
The sales-to-new-listings ratio compares how many homes sold with how many new listings came on the market. Roughly speaking, a ratio above 60% favours sellers and one below 40% favours buyers. Cochrane at 61% and Okotoks at 60% sit at the seller-leaning edge of balanced, while Airdrie at 53% is in the middle. Months of supply tells you how long current inventory would last at the current pace of sales.
