What is the average rent in Alberta?

The average asking rent in Alberta is approximately $1,450 for a 1-bedroom and $1,800 for a 2-bedroom. Purpose-built rents from CMHC data are lower — roughly $1,250–$1,500 for a 1-bedroom. Alberta rents are well below BC and Ontario but have risen significantly since 2022 due to strong in-migration.

Does Alberta have rent control?

No. Alberta does not have rent control. Landlords can increase rent by any amount, but must provide 3 months written notice for periodic tenancies and can only raise rent once per 12 months.

What is the vacancy rate in Alberta?

Calgary CMA vacancy was 3.3% in October 2025 (unchanged from 2024) and Edmonton CMA vacancy was 3.4% (also unchanged). Both cities have higher vacancy rates than Toronto or Vancouver, reflecting more responsive supply.

Is Alberta cheaper to rent than Ontario?

Yes, significantly. Edmonton 2-bedroom asking rents (~$1,700) are about 45% cheaper than Toronto (~$3,100). Calgary (~$2,000) is about 35% cheaper. Combined with higher median incomes and no provincial sales tax, Alberta offers far better rent affordability than Ontario.

Alberta Rental Market Data 2025–2026 | Average Rent & Vacancy Rates

Alberta rental market data

Alberta offers some of the most affordable rents among Canada’s larger provinces, with no rent control and a strong supply response that keeps the market relatively balanced. Calgary and Edmonton are the two major CMAs.

Both cities maintained stable vacancy rates in 2025 — Calgary at 3.3% and Edmonton at 3.4% — even as rent growth slowed. CMHC noted that Edmonton landlords in particular used incentives to absorb excess supply.

Data source: CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025), published December 2025. This is the most recent CMHC rental data available — the survey is conducted once per year every October. Next update expected December 2026.

Average rent by city (Alberta)

City	2BR Purpose-Built	2BR Asking Rent	Vacancy Rate
Calgary	~$1,750	~$2,000	3.3%
Edmonton	~$1,500	~$1,700	3.4%

Alberta asking rents average approximately $1,450 for a 1-bedroom and $1,800 for a 2-bedroom across the province.

Alberta rent rules

Alberta has a free-market rental approach:

No rent control — Landlords can raise rent by any amount
3 months notice required for periodic tenancies
Once per 12 months — Rent can only be increased annually
Market-responsive — Rents adjust freely to supply and demand
No above-guideline applications needed since there is no guideline

The absence of rent control, combined with abundant and affordable land, encourages developers to build new rental supply in response to demand — which is why Alberta vacancy rates tend to be higher and more stable than in rent-controlled provinces.

Vacancy rate trends

Calgary & Edmonton Vacancy Rates (2015–2025)

Both cities experienced high vacancy during the 2016–2017 oil downturn, tightened during the 2022–2023 migration boom, and stabilized at healthy levels in 2024–2025.

Key market drivers

Interprovincial migration: Alberta has been Canada’s top destination for interprovincial migration, with residents moving from Ontario and BC for lower housing costs and no provincial sales tax.

No rent control effect: Without rent caps, developers are more willing to build purpose-built rental, resulting in stronger supply responses.

Energy sector: Oil and gas employment cycles continue to influence Alberta’s economy, though diversification into tech and logistics has reduced volatility.

Above-trend construction: CMHC noted Edmonton had rental completions “well above historical trends.” Calgary’s construction pipeline is also robust.

Alberta city rental market pages

Calgary Rental Market — Alberta’s largest city
Edmonton Rental Market — Alberta’s capital

Canada Rental Market Data — national overview
Average Rent in Canada — rent comparison by city and province
Income in Alberta — provincial income data

Sources

CMHC Rental Market Survey — Housing Market Information Portal
CMHC 2025 Rental Market Report — December 2025
Alberta Residential Tenancies Act — rent increase rules