In Canada, a monthly budget of $1,000 can lease a renter anything from a single room in a house with five roommates to a three-bedroom house on a quiet cul-de-sac.
The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment across Canada was $939 last year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. But in cities like Vancouver, it's hard to find an even a bachelor apartment for under $1,000.
For a look at what that average rent can get by city, CTV Vancouver rounded the number up to $1,000, then combed a variety of listings across the country. We looked at dozens of sites including RentSeeker.ca, Viewit.ca, Kijiji, Craigslist and building management sites in a two-week period in late July to early August.
With a budget of $1,000 per month, here's what renters can lease in each provincial capital, compared to Vancouver.
Vancouver: Furnished bedroom with ensuite, $950
Coming up $50 under budget, a single bedroom in a Renfrew-Collingwood house can be yours if you're willing to pitch in with the cleaning.
The home is located about 15 minutes from Vancouver's downtown core by train, from a station just a two minute walk away. The room will be furnished, but the renter can choose either two single beds and two desks or one larger bed and a table.
The tenant will share common areas including the kitchen and laundry room with five other roommates, but will have their own ensuite bathroom. Utilities and internet costs are included in the rent, but the listing asks that the potential tenant be willing to sign up for a role in the home's weekly cleaning schedule.
No smoking, no pets, no drug use.
View more photos of each rental property here.
Victoria: Renovated one-bedroom apartment, $950
A pet-free, non-smoking tenant can lease an apartment in Cook Street Village, an "easy walk" to downtown Victoria, according to the listing.
The apartment was renovated last fall, and units include dishwashers. There is coin laundry in the building and utilities are included, but parking is extra.
Edmonton: One-bedroom apartment downtown, $1,050
Slightly over budget, renters can lease a one-bedroom apartment in an adult-only community, with suite sizes ranging from 720 to 850 sq. ft. The apartments feature large closets and river valley or downtown views.
The building includes a laundry room, sauna and hot tub, gym, racquetball court, rooftop sundeck, heated underground parking and visitor parking. It also has security cameras and a guard present, and is within walking distance of the downtown core, Government Centre and University of Alberta.
Regina: Two-bedroom renovated townhouse, $950
Close to downtown and the University of Regina, renters can live in a two-bedroom, 864 sq. ft. townhouse and come up nearly $50 under budget per month. (But utilities aren't included.)
The townhouse includes a dishwasher, in-suite laundry, unfinished basement, patio and deck area, and access to a shared courtyard. Close to shopping centres, major streets, bus routes and schools. The rental property comes with a parking stall with plug-in for chilly nights, and small pets are permitted.
Winnipeg: One-bedroom apartment in walkable area, $1,075
Going slightly over budget, renters can find themselves living in a building near the Assiniboine River and Forks Historic National Park.
The one-bedroom, one-bath units are close to shops, restaurants and major roadways, and a short walk to downtown Winnipeg. The apartment building scored 95 out of 100 on WalkScore.com, a site that ranks listings by how "walkable" the neighbourhood is.
Toronto: Junior one-bedroom on subway line, $1,099
Renters in Canada's largest city can move into a renovated, quiet building near the Bloor Street subway line, if they fork over an extra $100 per month. The junior one-bedroom is set up like a studio, with a partial wall closing off an area for a bed.
The building is near schools, parks, shopping centres and a bike path, and features hardwood floors and an on-site laundry room.
Quebec City: Renovated bachelor with a view, $1,000
Right on budget, a renter can lease a bachelor pad with parquet floors and ceramic tiles and a stunning view of the city.
The building boasts an indoor pool on the 18th floor, along with a rooftop terrace, sauna and laundry room. Renters will find themselves living within walking distance of Old Quebec, as well as private schools, shopping, restaurants and a hospital.
Fredericton: Two-bedroom apartment downtown, $1,020
If you have an extra $20 to spare every month, a two-bedroom is available in a "campus style building that is nestled in amongst trees overlooking the Saint John River."
The apartment is a five-minute drive to the downtown area and the University of New Brunswick's Fredericton campus. The building has an indoor swimming pool, saunas, a gym, rooftop patio and theatre.
Halifax: Two-bedroom near the lake, $1,065
Going slightly over budget can get a renter a two-bedroom apartment, just minutes from Bayers Lake, in Halifax's Clayton Park West neighbourhood.
The building offers "spacious apartments" with balconies and parking spaces, and two storeys in some units. It is located near libraries, restaurants, bus stops, schools and a shopping centre, "conveniently located just outside the busy city," the listing reads.
Charlottetown: Two-bedroom on five acres, $1,000
Those looking to lease in Charlottetown can have access to a giant yard without straying from the budget of $1,000.
The tenant will lease the main floor of a home, with two large bedrooms, an office, laundry room, private deck and fire pit area. The cost of snow removal and lawn maintenance is included in the rent, as well as internet, heat, water and electricity.
"It would be perfect for vet students with large dogs," the ad says.
"Just 15 minutes from the university on five acres, the property is not near a busy road and only four kilometres from the national park."
St. John's: 3-bedroom home on a cul-de-sac, $1,050
Leaving the mainland, renters can live in a three-bedroom, one bath home located on a cul-de-sac in the Avalon Peninsula area.
The home includes laundry, a dishwasher and a spacious backyard, and is walking distance to the Marine Institute, College of the North Atlantic and Pippy Park.
Iqaluit: Furnished room for female only, $900
There are very few online listings in Nunavut's capital, but CTV News found one place, which only had one photo, on Kijiji.
The listing is for a single room in a two-bedroom apartment in the downtown area, for a "quiet professional female."
Utilities are included in the price of rent, and the kitchen, living room and bathroom are shared.
Yellowknife: Pricey one-bedroom near the lake, $1,550
At the time of publishing, CTV News was unable to find anything available in the city near the budget of $1,000.
A renter willing to spend an extra $550 could move into a one-bedroom, 620 sq. ft. unit in the city, near Frame Lake. The apartment is located near Yellowknife's downtown core, with access to shopping, schools and public transit.
Whitehorse: One-bedroom "includes heat," $975
Utilities can add up in a city with an annual average temperature of -0.1 C, but this rate for a Copper Ridge apartment includes the cost of heat.
Hydro is extra, but there is a bus stop right across the street, and a private driveway with electrified parking for one vehicle. Units include a dishwasher and laundry.
