Can you afford to live on BC's Sunshine Coast?
Jobs and housing update for 2026
Read the full blog post on Val’s website: https://t.ly/LivingOnTheSSC
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://t.ly/AffordabilityVideo
If you’re considering relocating to the Sunshine Coast, BC in 2026, here’s what the numbers and the on-the-ground reality look like today.
Housing prices down but still not cheap
The real estate market on the Sunshine Coast reached its peak in the spring of 2022. But now, in 2026, the market has cooled considerably.
Prices haven’t fallen in a straight line, but overall values have softened. In some segments, we’re seeing prices that are much closer to late-2020 and early-2021 levels.
What it costs to buy a home in 2026
If you’re considering moving to the Sunshine Coast this year, these are reasonable starting points:
Condominiums and strata units: approximately $450,000 to $500,000
Fixer-upper detached homes: starting around $600,000
Typical detached homes: generally $900,000 to $1,200,000
Those numbers vary by location and condition.
In Gibsons, homes in the $800,000 to $900,000 range could be livable but will be dated and likely in need of some upgrades.
Prices decrease as you move further up-coast. You’ll get more bang for your housing buck in Sechelt than you will in Gibsons.
At the upper end of the market, the sky’s the limit for ocean-view properties and newer developments. If you want to live on the beach, you better have deep pockets.
Employment on the Sunshine Coast
Housing is only half the equation. You also need to be able to earn a living here. In 2026, there are four main options: Trades, healthcare, tourism, and self-employment.
Trades and skilled work
Demand for trades has softened due to fewer large-scale developments on the Sunshine Coast. However, there’s still consistent need for smaller renovations and services like yard maintenance.
If you’re reliable and skilled, there’s still opportunity but you just may not see the same volume of large jobs as before.
Healthcare
The Sunshine Coast has a median age of 56 while the rest of BC’s median age is 43. That older population means that the Sunshine Coast has an ongoing need for:
Nurses and healthcare professionals
Home care workers
Support roles for seniors
The high median age of the Sunshine Coast also explains the demand for landscapers and groundskeepers. Many residents prefer to stay in their homes but outsource upkeep.
Service and tourism industry
Service sector jobs like restaurants, retail, and tourism are always in demand, especially during the busy summer season. The challenge is that the wages provided by these jobs often don’t align with housing costs, which may mean relying on shared housing or alternative living arrangements like mobile homes, RVs, or tiny homes.
Self-employment/business ownership
The fourth option (and the one we chose) is making your own work. On this front, not much has changed since our original video in 2021 but the fundamentals matter now more than ever.
Our advice for would-be Sunshine Coast entrepreneurs is as follows:
Keep your overhead low. Commercial rents are high and you don’t want to be in a position where most of your income is going to your landlord. If at all possible, consider running your business from home to keep your expenses manageable.
Be cautious about relying on employees. Because of the high cost of living, it can be hard for employees to make ends meet. If your employees can’t afford rent and groceries working full-time, they may have to consider leaving the Sunshine Coast.
Be well-capitalized with a long-term plan. If you need to spend your entire nest egg to get up and running and then need to be profitable from Day One, you’re going to have a hard go of it.
If you’re experienced in your industry and you can run a lean operation, there’s real opportunity on the Sunshine Coast.
Remote work (or the lack thereof)
Remote work is less common now than it was in 2021.
If your job requires you to spend a couple of days in Vancouver each week, make sure you figure out what that commute looks like before moving to the Sunshine Coast. Even a couple ferry trips per week can turn into a grind.
Double check your numbers
Living on the Sunshine Coast can be incredibly rewarding but relocation requires a well-thought-out plan.
The big one is comparing your potential wage to current, real world housing costs. If your monthly income will be $3,000/mth but your living expenses will be $3,500/mth, the Sunshine Coast won’t be sustainable for you.
FOR SALE: 1209-1213 St. Andrews Road, Gibsons, BC - $2,150,000
Located within one of the most upscale neighbourhoods on BC’s Sunshine Coast, you’ll fall in love with this breathtaking ocean, island, and mountain view home!
The top floor has an open concept living space that combines the kitchen, dining area, and living room.
Downstairs are three bedrooms. Two bedrooms have private ensuites and the third is part of a legal suite with its own kitchen and living area.
See the full listing (with more photos) here: https://t.ly/1209-1213_StAndrewsRd
Call Val for your viewing
Call or text me if you’d like to see 1209-1213 St. Andrews Road in person. I can give you a tour and show you how this home ties into the bigger picture of life on BC’s Sunshine Coast.
Val Labrecque - REALTOR®
RE/MAX City Realty Gibsons
Call or text Val: 604-399-8935
Email Val: info@vallabrecque.ca
Connect with Val & Paul
We’re Val and Paul and we’re a married couple who live on BC’s Sunshine Coast! We moved from Alberta to Gibsons in 2014 and love our life on Canada’s West Coast! Subscribe to our YouTube channel and email newsletter and you’ll learn what it’s like to live in the most beautiful place in Canada.
Val Labrecque is a REALTOR® with RE/MAX City Realty Gibsons.