How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Canada? This page provides average rent data for every major Canadian city, updated for 2026. Use these figures to budget for housing costs, compare cities, or understand affordability in your local market.
Average rent in Canada: national overview
The national average asking rent in Canada is approximately $2,100/month for all property types as of early 2026. However, rents vary enormously by city — from under $1,000 in some smaller markets to over $2,700 in Vancouver.
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| National average asking rent (all types) | ~$2,100 |
| National average 1-bedroom (asking) | ~$1,850 |
| National average 2-bedroom (asking) | ~$2,200 |
| CMHC average 2-bedroom (purpose-built) | ~$1,380 |
| Year-over-year change | ~+1.5% |
Asking rent data reflects new listings on rental platforms. CMHC data reflects all occupied purpose-built rental units, including long-term tenants.
Average rent by city: 1-bedroom apartments
This table ranks major Canadian cities by average asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment as of early 2026.
| Rank | City | 1-BR Average Rent | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver, BC | $2,600 | −1.5% |
| 2 | Toronto, ON | $2,400 | −2.8% |
| 3 | Victoria, BC | $2,050 | +0.5% |
| 4 | Burnaby, BC | $2,000 | −1.0% |
| 5 | Kelowna, BC | $1,900 | +1.2% |
| 6 | Ottawa, ON | $1,850 | +2.0% |
| 7 | Brampton, ON | $1,800 | −3.5% |
| 8 | Hamilton, ON | $1,750 | +1.0% |
| 9 | Kitchener, ON | $1,700 | +0.5% |
| 10 | Halifax, NS | $1,700 | +3.5% |
| 11 | Montreal, QC | $1,650 | +4.0% |
| 12 | London, ON | $1,600 | +1.5% |
| 13 | Calgary, AB | $1,600 | +2.5% |
| 14 | Edmonton, AB | $1,400 | +3.0% |
| 15 | Winnipeg, MB | $1,200 | +4.5% |
| 16 | Saskatoon, SK | $1,150 | +3.0% |
| 17 | Regina, SK | $1,100 | +2.5% |
| 18 | Quebec City, QC | $1,100 | +5.0% |
| 19 | St. John’s, NL | $1,050 | +2.0% |
Rents are approximate averages based on listing data from Rentals.ca, Zumper, and PadMapper for early 2026. Actual rents vary by neighbourhood, building age, and amenities.
Average rent by city: 2-bedroom apartments
| Rank | City | 2-BR Average Rent | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver, BC | $3,350 | −1.0% |
| 2 | Toronto, ON | $3,100 | −2.5% |
| 3 | Victoria, BC | $2,650 | +1.0% |
| 4 | Burnaby, BC | $2,600 | −0.5% |
| 5 | Kelowna, BC | $2,400 | +1.5% |
| 6 | Ottawa, ON | $2,300 | +2.5% |
| 7 | Hamilton, ON | $2,200 | +1.0% |
| 8 | Brampton, ON | $2,200 | −3.0% |
| 9 | Halifax, NS | $2,150 | +4.0% |
| 10 | Kitchener, ON | $2,100 | +1.0% |
| 11 | Montreal, QC | $2,050 | +4.5% |
| 12 | London, ON | $2,000 | +2.0% |
| 13 | Calgary, AB | $2,000 | +3.0% |
| 14 | Edmonton, AB | $1,700 | +3.5% |
| 15 | Winnipeg, MB | $1,500 | +5.0% |
| 16 | Saskatoon, SK | $1,400 | +3.5% |
| 17 | Regina, SK | $1,350 | +3.0% |
| 18 | Quebec City, QC | $1,350 | +5.5% |
| 19 | St. John’s, NL | $1,250 | +2.5% |
Average rent by province
| Province | 1-BR Average | 2-BR Average |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $2,250 | $2,850 |
| Ontario | $2,050 | $2,500 |
| Alberta | $1,450 | $1,800 |
| Nova Scotia | $1,650 | $2,100 |
| Quebec | $1,350 | $1,700 |
| Manitoba | $1,200 | $1,500 |
| Saskatchewan | $1,100 | $1,350 |
| New Brunswick | $1,150 | $1,400 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $1,050 | $1,250 |
| Prince Edward Island | $1,300 | $1,600 |
Rent affordability: income needed by city
The standard affordability threshold is spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. Here is the minimum annual income needed to afford the average 1-bedroom rent in each city:
| City | 1-BR Rent | Income Needed (30% rule) | Hourly Wage Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $2,600 | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Toronto | $2,400 | $96,000 | $46.15 |
| Victoria | $2,050 | $82,000 | $39.42 |
| Ottawa | $1,850 | $74,000 | $35.58 |
| Hamilton | $1,750 | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| Halifax | $1,700 | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| Montreal | $1,650 | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Calgary | $1,600 | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| London | $1,600 | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Edmonton | $1,400 | $56,000 | $26.92 |
| Winnipeg | $1,200 | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Regina | $1,100 | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| Quebec City | $1,100 | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| St. John’s | $1,050 | $42,000 | $20.19 |
Hourly wage assumes 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year.
To see if renting or buying makes more sense for you, use the rent vs buy calculator.
CMHC average rent vs asking rent
There are two common sources for rent data in Canada, and they tell very different stories:
| Source | What It Measures | Average 2-BR Nationally | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMHC Rental Market Report | All occupied purpose-built rental units | ~$1,380 | Understanding rents for existing tenants |
| Asking rent platforms (Rentals.ca, Zumper) | New listings on rental platforms | ~$2,200 | Understanding what new tenants actually pay |
The gap between the two is significant — roughly 60% — and exists for these reasons:
- Rent control — In provinces with rent control (ON, BC, QC, MB, PEI), long-term tenants pay below-market rates. CMHC data includes these tenants.
- Turnover — Asking rents only capture units currently available. When a tenant leaves, the landlord typically lists at market rates (which are higher).
- Property type — Asking rent data includes condos, houses, and newer buildings. CMHC data focuses on purpose-built rental apartments.
For budgeting as a new renter, use asking rent data (the figures in this article). For understanding the overall rental market or policy analysis, CMHC data provides the broader picture.
Rent trends: what’s happening in 2026
Markets where rent is declining
- Toronto — Down ~3% YoY as record new condo completions add supply; landlords offering concessions (free first month, reduced deposits)
- Vancouver — Down ~1.5% as new purpose-built rental buildings open and population growth slows
- Brampton/Mississauga — Down ~3-4% as the GTA condo oversupply spills into suburban markets
Markets where rent is still rising
- Winnipeg/Regina/Saskatoon — Up 3-5% as Prairie markets remain relatively affordable, attracting internal migration
- Quebec City — Up ~5% from a very low base; still one of the cheapest major cities
- Halifax — Up ~3.5% as Atlantic Canada continues to absorb interprovincial migrants
- Montreal — Up ~4% as the city remains the most affordable option among Canada’s largest markets
Key drivers in 2026
- Immigration policy changes — Reduced immigration targets for 2025-2026 are slowing demand, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver
- New supply — Record housing completions, especially condos in the GTA, are softening rents in some markets
- Interest rates — Lower mortgage rates are pulling some renters into homeownership, reducing rental demand
- Interprovincial migration — Movement from Ontario/BC to Alberta and Atlantic Canada is shifting demand patterns
Rent control by province
Understanding rent control is important because it directly affects how much your landlord can raise your rent each year:
| Province | Rent Control? | 2026 Guideline | Applies To | Vacancy Decontrol? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes | 2.5% | Units occupied before Nov 15, 2018 | Yes |
| British Columbia | Yes | 3.5% | All rental units | Yes |
| Quebec | Yes | ~3-5% (tribunal) | All rental units | Partial |
| Manitoba | Yes | ~3% | All rental units | Yes |
| Prince Edward Island | Yes | ~3% | All rental units | No |
| Alberta | No | No limit | — | — |
| Saskatchewan | No | No limit | — | — |
| New Brunswick | No | No limit | — | — |
| Nova Scotia | No | No limit | — | — |
| Newfoundland | No | No limit (guidelines only) | — | — |
Vacancy decontrol means the landlord can raise rent to any amount when a tenant moves out and a new tenant moves in. Even in rent-controlled provinces, the rent “resets” to market when turnover happens.
Renting vs buying in Canada
At current rent and home prices, the rent-vs-buy calculation varies significantly by city. Here is a simplified comparison using the average 2-bedroom rent and the average home price:
| City | Avg 2-BR Rent (Annual) | Avg Home Price | Annual Mortgage Cost* | Rent Premium/Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $40,200 | $1,206,000 | $67,800 | Rent is 41% cheaper |
| Toronto | $37,200 | $1,080,000 | $60,700 | Rent is 39% cheaper |
| Ottawa | $27,600 | $645,000 | $36,200 | Rent is 24% cheaper |
| Calgary | $24,000 | $585,000 | $32,900 | Rent is 27% cheaper |
| Montreal | $24,600 | $550,000 | $30,900 | Rent is 20% cheaper |
| Edmonton | $20,400 | $400,000 | $22,500 | Rent is 9% cheaper |
| Winnipeg | $18,000 | $370,000 | $20,800 | Rent is 13% cheaper |
Mortgage cost assumes 20% down, 4.5% rate, 25-year amortization, plus property tax and insurance. Does not include equity buildup.
Use the rent vs buy calculator for a detailed comparison including equity buildup, opportunity cost, and maintenance. See also: rent affordability calculator.
Historical average rent in Canada
| Year | National Avg 1-BR (Asking) | National Avg 2-BR (Asking) | YoY Change (2-BR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ~$1,850 | ~$2,200 | +1.5% |
| 2025 | ~$1,825 | ~$2,170 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | ~$1,800 | ~$2,100 | +8.0% |
| 2023 | ~$1,650 | ~$1,940 | +9.5% |
| 2022 | ~$1,475 | ~$1,775 | +12.0% |
| 2021 | ~$1,350 | ~$1,585 | −1.5% |
| 2020 | ~$1,400 | ~$1,610 | −4.0% |
| 2019 | ~$1,450 | ~$1,675 | +4.5% |
| 2018 | ~$1,350 | ~$1,600 | +4.0% |
Rent growth accelerated sharply in 2022-2024 due to post-pandemic demand recovery, record immigration, and constrained supply. Growth has moderated in 2025-2026 as new supply comes online and immigration targets are reduced.
Related tools and guides
- Rent Affordability Calculator — Can you afford the rent in your city?
- Rent vs Buy Calculator — Is it cheaper to rent or own?
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford?
- Income Percentile Calculator — How does your income compare?
- Budget Calculator — Build a budget that works
- Canada Housing Market — Housing market data for every city
- Average House Prices in Canada — Home prices by city and province