With home prices still out of reach for many Canadians, renters are increasingly turning to secondary markets in search of affordability, according to a new national rental report by RentCafe.
The study, which analyzed millions of apartment-hunting interactions, reveals Winnipeg as Canada’s most sought-after city for renters in the second quarter of 2025. The prairie city climbed to the top of the list thanks to its relative affordability and resilient local economy.
Across Canada, rental demand remains strong despite declining prices. Asking rents fell 2.3 per cent in August compared to last year, averaging $2,137 nationwide. Meanwhile, the Greater Toronto Area saw average selling prices for homes dip 5.2 per cent year-over-year, but at $1,022,143, ownership remains unattainable for many households.
“These changes highlight how affordability pressures and evolving regional dynamics continue to shape where Canadians are focusing their apartment searches,” the RentCafe report noted.
Canada’s Top Trending Cities for Renters in Q2 2025
The ranking was based on four key indicators: available listings, listing views, apartments saved as favourites, and saved personalized searches. The top 10 include:
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Moncton, New Brunswick
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Kingston, Ontario (newcomer to the list)
- Calgary, Alberta
- Regina, Saskatchewan
- St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Ontario’s representation in the top 10 is limited to Ottawa and Kingston, reflecting renters’ growing interest in smaller, affordable markets outside of the traditional hotbeds of Toronto and Vancouver.
Industry analysts say the shift underscores how Canadians are adapting to affordability challenges, tight housing inventory, and ongoing regional differences in cost of living.
For the full report, visit RentCafe.