MONEY GLOBE XRents and vacancy rates in Canadian cities: reading CMHC's numbers
CMHC's October survey gives the average two-bedroom rent and vacancy rate by city. What it covers, why asking rents can be higher, today's figures.
Last checked November 8, 2026. Every rule below names its source; the official pages are listed at the end with their own dates.
In short
- Rents and vacancy come from CMHC's Rental Market Survey, taken each October and published through Statistics Canada.
- The average rent includes tenants who moved in years ago, so rents asked for vacant units can be higher.
- The vacancy rate is the share of rental units empty and available at survey time.
Canadian cities: rents and vacancyHome prices by city
What the survey covers
CMHC surveys purpose-built rental apartments each October. It does not cover most condos rented out by their owners or secondary suites. Our Canadian city pages show the average rent for a two-bedroom unit and the vacancy rate, from Statistics Canada tables 34-10-0133 and 34-10-0127.
Average rent vs asking rent
The average counts every occupied unit, including tenants who have lived there for years. Rents asked for vacant units can be higher than the average.
The vacancy rate
The share of units that are empty and available to rent at the time of the survey. A low rate means few empty units to choose from.
Today's figures
Live data: rents and vacancy
| City | Average two-bedroom rent | 1 year | Rental vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, BC | C$2,364 | +2.2% | 3.7% |
| Victoria, BC | C$2,121 | +6.3% | 3.1% |
| Kelowna, BC | C$2,098 | +9.5% | 6.3% |
| Calgary, AB | C$1,908 | +1.7% | 5.0% |
| Edmonton, AB | C$1,598 | +4.5% | 3.9% |
| Toronto, ON | C$2,045 | +3.7% | 3.0% |
| Ottawa, ON | C$1,916 | +2.5% | 4.6% |
| Montréal, QC | C$1,346 | +14.5% | 3.3% |
| Halifax, NS | C$1,828 | +7.0% | 2.5% |
Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada (October 2025 survey). Data updated November 08, 2026.
Questions
Where do Canadian rent figures come from?
From CMHC's Rental Market Survey, taken each October and published through Statistics Canada.
Why is the rent I am quoted higher than the average?
The average includes long-term tenants; rents asked for vacant units can be higher.
What is a vacancy rate?
The share of rental units empty and available to rent at survey time.
Does the survey include condos?
Mostly not: it covers purpose-built rental apartments.
Related guides
Sources
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Create a free accountLast checked November 8, 2026. General information only - not financial, legal, tax or real estate advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source or a licensed professional before you act.