What a home costs in Surrey, what you pay to close, and how much a physician program lets you buy.
Benchmark price for Surrey, July 2026, from the CREA MLS Home Price Index, Fraser Valley area, as published in the LSTAR July 2026 release. Fraser Valley board composite, not Surrey alone. Other cities show the MLS Home Price Index benchmark unless marked. Figures reviewed August 2026.
A physician program could add
$0
to the home you can buy.
Estimate at 4.49%, stress tested at 6.49%, with 10% down, below the $1.5M insured limit.
British Columbia charges a Property Transfer Tax of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% from $200,000 to $2,000,000. On a $1.1M home that is roughly $20,000. BC first-time buyer and newly-built home exemptions can reduce or eliminate the tax on qualifying purchases.
Sources: Government of British Columbia, property transfer tax; Government of British Columbia, first time home buyers program. Rates reviewed August 2026.
Physician programs qualify residents on $185,000 in PGY-1 and PGY-2 and $225,000 from PGY-3, not on these salaries.
Resident Doctors of BC, Resident Doctors of BC payroll page, in effect from April 2026.
Is Surrey cheaper than Vancouver for physicians?
Generally yes. Surrey is a more attainable Metro Vancouver entry point than the city of Vancouver, while still offering major hospital employment through Surrey Memorial Hospital.
How much is the property transfer tax in Surrey?
Surrey follows the BC Property Transfer Tax: 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% to $2,000,000, roughly $20,000 on a $1.1M home, before first-time or newly-built exemptions.
