Which province has the highest rent in Canada?

British Columbia has the highest average rent in Canada, with 1-bedroom apartments averaging approximately $2,250 per month. Ontario is second at $2,050 for a 1-bedroom. These provinces contain Canada most expensive rental markets (Vancouver and Toronto).

Which province has the cheapest rent in Canada?

Quebec has the cheapest average rent among the larger provinces at approximately $1,350 for a 1-bedroom. Among all provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba also offer affordable rents around $1,100–$1,200 for a 1-bedroom.

What is the average rent in Canada in 2026?

The national average asking rent in Canada is approximately $2,100 per month for all property types. For 1-bedroom apartments specifically, the average is around $1,850. CMHC average rents (including existing tenants) are lower, around $1,350 for a 2-bedroom.

Is rent cheaper in Quebec than Ontario?

Yes, rent in Quebec is significantly cheaper than Ontario. A 1-bedroom in Quebec averages $1,350 compared to $2,050 in Ontario — roughly 35% less. Montreal is one of the most affordable major cities in Canada.

Average Rent by Province in Canada 2026

Average Rent by Province: Overview

Province	1-Bedroom Avg	2-Bedroom Avg	YoY Change
British Columbia	$2,250	$2,850	−0.5%
Ontario	$2,050	$2,500	−1.5%
Alberta	$1,500	$1,850	+3.0%
Nova Scotia	$1,650	$2,100	+4.0%
Manitoba	$1,200	$1,500	+4.5%
Saskatchewan	$1,100	$1,350	+3.5%
Quebec	$1,350	$1,700	+4.5%
New Brunswick	$1,250	$1,500	+5.0%
Newfoundland & Labrador	$1,050	$1,250	+2.0%
Prince Edward Island	$1,400	$1,700	+6.0%

Asking rent averages for early 2026. CMHC average rents for existing tenants are typically 20–30% lower.

British Columbia

City	1-BR	2-BR
Vancouver	$2,600	$3,350
Victoria	$2,050	$2,650
Burnaby	$2,000	$2,600
Kelowna	$1,900	$2,400
Surrey	$1,800	$2,300
Nanaimo	$1,700	$2,100
Kamloops	$1,550	$1,950
Prince George	$1,200	$1,500
Provincial Average	$2,250	$2,850

BC rent growth has slowed in 2026 as new rental supply arrives, but remains the most expensive province.

Ontario

City	1-BR	2-BR
Toronto	$2,400	$3,100
Ottawa	$1,850	$2,300
Brampton	$1,800	$2,200
Hamilton	$1,750	$2,200
Kitchener	$1,700	$2,100
London	$1,600	$2,000
Windsor	$1,400	$1,750
Kingston	$1,600	$2,000
Thunder Bay	$1,100	$1,350
Provincial Average	$2,050	$2,500

Toronto and GTA rents have declined slightly in 2026 as new condo supply reaches the market.

Alberta

City	1-BR	2-BR
Calgary	$1,600	$2,000
Edmonton	$1,400	$1,700
Red Deer	$1,200	$1,450
Lethbridge	$1,150	$1,400
Grande Prairie	$1,300	$1,550
Fort McMurray	$1,500	$1,850
Provincial Average	$1,500	$1,850

Alberta remains affordable relative to BC and Ontario, though rents are rising due to population growth.

Quebec

City	1-BR	2-BR
Montreal	$1,650	$2,050
Quebec City	$1,100	$1,350
Gatineau	$1,450	$1,800
Sherbrooke	$1,000	$1,250
Trois-Rivières	$950	$1,150
Laval	$1,500	$1,900
Provincial Average	$1,350	$1,700

Quebec offers some of Canada’s most affordable rents, especially outside Montreal.

Atlantic Provinces

Nova Scotia

City	1-BR	2-BR
Halifax	$1,700	$2,150
Dartmouth	$1,600	$2,000
Sydney	$1,100	$1,350
Provincial Average	$1,650	$2,100

New Brunswick

City	1-BR	2-BR
Moncton	$1,350	$1,650
Saint John	$1,200	$1,450
Fredericton	$1,300	$1,550
Provincial Average	$1,250	$1,500

Prince Edward Island

City	1-BR	2-BR
Charlottetown	$1,450	$1,750
Summerside	$1,250	$1,550
Provincial Average	$1,400	$1,700

Newfoundland & Labrador

City	1-BR	2-BR
St. John’s	$1,050	$1,250
Corner Brook	$900	$1,100
Provincial Average	$1,050	$1,250

Prairie Provinces

Manitoba

City	1-BR	2-BR
Winnipeg	$1,200	$1,500
Brandon	$1,050	$1,300
Provincial Average	$1,200	$1,500

Saskatchewan

City	1-BR	2-BR
Regina	$1,100	$1,350
Saskatoon	$1,150	$1,400
Provincial Average	$1,100	$1,350

Rent Affordability by Province

How much income do you need to afford average rent (keeping rent under 30% of income)?

Province	1-BR Rent	Income Needed	2-BR Rent	Income Needed
British Columbia	$2,250	$90,000	$2,850	$114,000
Ontario	$2,050	$82,000	$2,500	$100,000
Alberta	$1,500	$60,000	$1,850	$74,000
Nova Scotia	$1,650	$66,000	$2,100	$84,000
Manitoba	$1,200	$48,000	$1,500	$60,000
Saskatchewan	$1,100	$44,000	$1,350	$54,000
Quebec	$1,350	$54,000	$1,700	$68,000
New Brunswick	$1,250	$50,000	$1,500	$60,000
Newfoundland	$1,050	$42,000	$1,250	$50,000
PEI	$1,400	$56,000	$1,700	$68,000

Use our rent affordability calculator to see what you can afford based on your income.

CMHC Average Rent vs Asking Rent

CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) tracks rents for purpose-built rental apartments, including long-term tenants. Asking rent is the price for new listings.

Province	CMHC Avg 2-BR	Asking Avg 2-BR	Difference
British Columbia	$1,850	$2,850	+54%
Ontario	$1,650	$2,500	+52%
Alberta	$1,350	$1,850	+37%
Quebec	$1,050	$1,700	+62%
Nova Scotia	$1,400	$2,100	+50%
Manitoba	$1,200	$1,500	+25%
Saskatchewan	$1,100	$1,350	+23%

The gap reflects rent control (existing tenants pay less) and market conditions for new rentals.

Rent Growth Trends by Province

Province	2023	2024	2025	2026	Trend
British Columbia	+8%	+5%	+1%	−0.5%	Cooling
Ontario	+10%	+6%	0%	−1.5%	Declining
Alberta	+12%	+8%	+5%	+3%	Slowing
Quebec	+6%	+5%	+5%	+4.5%	Steady
Nova Scotia	+15%	+10%	+6%	+4%	Slowing
PEI	+18%	+12%	+8%	+6%	Slowing

Atlantic Canada continues to see increases as population growth outpaces supply.

Methodology

Data compiled from Rentals.ca, Zumper, PadMapper, and CMHC Rental Market Reports. “Asking rent” reflects listed prices for available units. CMHC data includes all occupied purpose-built rentals. Figures are estimates for early 2026.