The comparison only holds up if you run real numbers rather than assumptions. The Saskatchewan REALTORS Association puts the Saskatoon benchmark home price at $444,700 for August 2026, and a downsizer needs to weigh that against their current home's likely sale price, since a smaller purchase in a strong micro-market can still cost more than expected if the current home is undervalued on paper.
Moving costs cut the other way. Legal fees to close, typically $800 to $1,500 through a Saskatchewan lawyer, a home inspection at $400 to $600, and possible PST on mortgage insurance if financing is involved all add up on the purchase side, so the savings show up over years of lower carrying costs, not immediately at closing.
The honest starting point is knowing what your current home is actually worth, including improvements the city's records never saw. Get your hand-reviewed valuation from Joel Dyck.