Vancouver still Canada's priciest city for renters, despite modest decrease in average rents: report
The average asking price for a rental unit in Canada reached $2,178 last month, a 9.9 per cent year-over-year increase and continuing a trend that has seen asking rents hit new highs for six months in a row.
That's according to the latest rental price report released by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, analyzing monthly listings from the former's network. The findings show while October's annual rate of rent growth in Canada was down from the 11.1 per cent jump in September, it still marked the second fastest annual increase of the past seven months.
On a monthly basis, average asking rents increased 1.4 per cent in October, a slight decrease from the monthly gains of 1.5 per cent in September and 1.8 per cent in August, which was attributed to seasonal factors.
The average cost of a one-bedroom unit in October was $1,906, up 14 per cent from the same month in 2022, while the average asking price for a two-bedroom was $2,255, up 11.8 per cent annually, according to the report.
Vancouver led the way again as Canada's most expensive city for renters, with the average one-bedroom unit listed at $2,872 and a two-bedroom at $3,777 - both down from September's asking prices, but up 6.7 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively, on an annual basis.
Toronto was the next highest ranked major city at $2,607 for a one-bedroom and $3,424 for a two-bedroom.
The report said rent inflation in Canada is being driven by price increases in Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia, in part because of strong population growth and large infusions of new rental supply priced at above-average market rents.
“I get asked all the time, 'How are people affording this?' The answer is they're not,” said Rentals.ca spokesman Giacomo Ladas.
“Rents are getting so high to the point where people are almost out of options. They're looking desperately to find more affordable rents.”
Calgary topped the list when measured by annual rent growth for apartments out of Canada's largest cities for the ninth straight month.
Asking rents for purpose-built and condominium apartments in Calgary rose 14.7 per cent year-over-year to reach an average of $2,093, while Montreal was in the second spot with annual rent growth of 10.2 per cent, for an average of $2,046 in October, the data shows.
“We can tell that because there's so much interprovincial migration going on that people are leaving areas like Ontario and B.C. and they're searching for more affordable rents, and they're going to places like Calgary,” said Ladas.
He noted a major factor driving up rent prices is the trend of fewer people looking to become homeowners, given the ongoing climate of high interest rates. One-third of Canadian households are renters, the rate for which is growing twice as fast as it is for homeowners, he added.
“People are not moving out and going into the home ownership market because they can't with these rates,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.