A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood look at 2026 property taxes across Greater Victoria — from Oak Bay to Sooke — and what the numbers reveal about how each community is investing in its future.
Every July, property tax notices arrive across the capital region, usually followed by a little sticker shock and one familiar question:
Why does someone in the next municipality pay so differently than I do?
The answer is more complicated than simply comparing tax rates. Property tax bills reflect population growth, infrastructure needs, regional services and the priorities each community has set for the years ahead.
Numbers compiled from Greater Victoria’s 13 municipalities, the Capital Regional District, BC Assessment and BC Stats provide an interesting snapshot of the region in 2026. They show that property taxes are not just about dollars and cents — they tell a broader story about how communities are growing, where money is being spent and what local governments are preparing for next.
The Westshore Is Growing Fast — and the Tax Bills Show It
Langford, now home to an estimated 59,669 residents, saw one of the largest property tax increases in the region this year. The average increase was 10.22%, or approximately $270 per household.
Sooke was close behind, with an increase of 10.5%, equal to roughly $186.87 for the average property.
For anyone who spends time on the Westshore, those numbers may not come as a surprise. Rapid population growth brings increased demand for roads, schools, recreation facilities, emergency services and other infrastructure. Those improvements cost money, and eventually some of that cost appears on the property tax notice.
Colwood, however, had a very different result. Its increase was limited to 4.22% — the lowest in the region in 2026 — even though the average assessed home value sits just above $1 million.
That contrast is a good example of why assessed value alone does not determine how much a homeowner’s tax bill will change.
Where the Money Actually Goes
It is easy to assume that the full amount on a property tax notice goes directly to the local municipality. In reality, a substantial portion is collected for regional and provincial services.
These charges can include:
School taxes, collected on behalf of the Province of British Columbia
CRD services, including regional parks, water, shared infrastructure and other regional programs
Capital Regional Hospital District costs, which help fund healthcare infrastructure across the region
Municipal Finance Authority debt servicing, used to finance major municipal capital projects
Esquimalt homeowners, for example, contribute approximately $1,158.53 toward CRD-related costs. That is more than double the amount paid by the average homeowner in Colwood or Victoria for similar regional services, despite relatively comparable average home values.
It is an important reminder that the municipal portion of your tax bill is only one part of the overall picture. Where you live, which regional services apply and how those costs are distributed can make a significant difference in the final amount.
A Quick Snapshot Across the Region
| Municipality | Avg. Assessed Home | Total Tax Increase |
| Saanich | $1.185M | 5.35% |
| Victoria | $1.045M | 9.34% |
| Langford | $921,375 | 10.22% |
| Colwood | $1.005M | 4.22% |
| Esquimalt | $1.105M | 11.32% |
| Oak Bay | $1.88M | 8.5% |
| Central Saanich | $1.128M | 7.37% |
| Sooke | $792,876 | 10.5% |
| Sidney | $933,005 | 9.37% |
| North Saanich | $1.574M | 5.5% |
| View Royal | $1.095M | 7.05% |
| Metchosin | $1.246M | 9.91% |
| Highlands | $1.278M | 9.5% |
What This Means If You're Watching the Market Property taxes rarely make or break a decision to buy in a particular neighbourhood, but they're a real part of the monthly cost-of-ownership conversation — especially when you're comparing, say, a Sooke acreage to a Saanich bungalow with a similar assessed value but a very different tax bill. If you're curious how a specific municipality's tax trends fit into your own homeownership plans on the South Island, feel free to reach out! mike@mikedoughty.ca
Sources: Compiled from Times Colonist reporting (June 29, 2026), Capital Regional District, BC Assessment, BC Stats, and the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities.