OTTAWA -
Canadians are forking out more for groceries and gas these days, but here's some good news for the family budget: a new analysis of census data suggests people in Moose Jaw are still spending about the same portion of their paycheques on housing as they were at the beginning of the decade.
The median cost of housing in Moose Jaw was $6,804 a year - or $567 a month - in 2006, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday in a new report on shelter costs across the country.
That means the average household in Moose Jaw spent 16.5 per cent of its income on housing and shelter costs in 2006. The previous census data from 2001 indicated households in Moose Jaw spent 16.1 per cent of their income on housing costs.
Statistics Canada defines shelter costs for homeowners as mortgage payments, property taxes, condo fees and utilities. For renters, the costs include rental payments and utilities.
Looking at income-to-shelter-cost ratio is one way of measuring what the government agency calls the "affordability" of housing, including the differences between those who rent and those who have bought a home or condo.
Renters in Moose Jaw generally spend proportionately more of their income on housing costs than home owners who are still carrying a mortgage.
The average renter had to devote $6,517 annually - or 25.9 per cent of household income - to housing costs.
Home owners in Moose Jaw with a mortgage had spent a median of $10,597 annually or 17.6 per cent of their income on housing. For those without mortgages, the proportion was much less - 8.8 per cent for an annual cost of $4,597.
A total of 69.0 per cent of households in Moose Jaw are home owners. That's about the same five years earlier, when it was 68.9 per cent. Those without mortgages represent 32.1 per cent of households in the community.
Across Canada, the median shelter cost for home owners in 2006 was $10,056 annually and for renters it was $8,057. Across Saskatchewan, home owners spent $7,360 and renters paid $6,815.
The average Canadian household spent 18.1 per cent of its annual income on housing - meaning people in Moose Jaw have proportionately lower housing costs than the rest of the country.
The analysis released Wednesday by Statistics Canada is based on census data collected more than two years ago. The next census will be taken in 2011.
Here is a breakdown of information on housing costs in Moose Jaw and surrounding communities:
(Dollar figures for 2001 have not been adjusted for inflation to be in 2006 dollars)Moose Jaw
| Median shelter costs (annual) | 2006 | 2001 | Canada | Sask. |
| All | $6,804 | $5,653 | $8,966 | $7,100 |
| Owners | $7,280 | $5,890 | $10,056 | $7,360 |
| Renters | $6,517 | $5,388 | $8,057 | $6,815 |
| Affordability(% household income spent on shelter) | 2006 | 2001 | Canada | Sask. |
| All households | 16.5% | 16.1% | 18.1% | 16.3% |
| Owner households | 13.6% | 13.6% | 15.6% | 14.1% |
| Renter households | 25.9% | 25.2% | 25.1% | 25.3% |
| Single-parent household | 22.1% | 21.8% | 22.5% | 22.2% |
| Immigrant population | 14.7% | 13.3% | 19.7% | 14.9% |
| New Immigrants | 20.2% | 13.0% | 25.7% | 18.6% |
| Housing tenure - % of households | 2006 | 2001 | Canada | Sask. |
| Owners, with mortgage | 36.9% | 34.0% | 39.6% | 35.7% |
| Owners, no mortgage | 32.1% | 35.0% | 28.8% | 37.0% |
| Condos, with mortgage | 0.6% | N.A. | 4.5% | 2.2% |
| Condos, no mortgage | 1.1% | 0.8% | 2.9% | 2.3% |
| Renters | 31.0% | 31.0% | 31.5% | 27.3% |
