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Is Now a Good Time to Rent vs. Buy in Canada?

After years of brutal rent hikes that left many Canadians feeling priced out of their own cities, something has quietly shifted: rents are finally falling. But does that mean you should lock in a lease and wait out the housing market — or is this actually the window you've been waiting for to buy? The answer, as always, depends on your city, your finances, and your plans. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of where things stand in 2026. What's Happening With Rents Right Now The Canadian rental market has undergone a dramatic reversal. After vacancy rates hit record lows in 2023 and rents surged by as much as 8% nationally in a single year, the tide has turned. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments rose to 3.1% in October 2025 — up from 2.2% in 2024 and a record low of just 1.5% in 2023. That 3.1% figure now sits above the 10-year historical average , marking a meaningful shift in the bal...

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Average Rent in Canada Hits All-Time High in 2024

 

According to a report by Rentals.ca, the average rent in Canada has reached an all-time high of $2,178 per month, showcasing an 8.6% increase from the same period in 2022 . The report also notes that the rental market will remain undersupplied in 2024, though a shift toward greater balance is expected . Rent growth is projected to converge toward its five-year average of approximately 5% .

The increase in rental costs shows no signs of slowing down, with one-bedroom purpose-built and condo rentals seeing the biggest increase (+13% YoY), averaging $1,850 . The average rent for two bedrooms came in at $2,192, while for three bedrooms, the average was reported at $2,413.

The outlook for renters in Canada in 2024 is not very optimistic, as the rental market is expected to remain tight. However, the report suggests that the rental market will become more balanced in the coming years.


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