The divide between what Ontarians earn and what they need to pay for housing is widening sharply, leaving many residents struggling to secure an affordable place to live. As National Housing Day approaches on November 22, the picture emerging across the province shows a deepening crisis, especially for people who are already vulnerable.
Advocates say the burden is falling hardest on racialized communities, seniors, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, and anyone navigating sudden life changes — from job loss to family transitions to health issues. For many, the search for housing has become a breaking point.
According to new data from the Ontario Living Wage Network, affordability continues to slip out of reach for a growing number of households. Rentals.ca reports that while some markets saw slight price dips this year, overall rent levels remain far higher than before the pandemic. Compared with October 2019, the average rent in Canada has risen by 14 per cent — the equivalent of an extra $259 per month.
The numbers are pushing people into difficult choices: downsizing into smaller units, relocating hours away from family and work, or giving up on the rental market altogether. Rentals.ca says national rental demand has fallen for three consecutive months and is now nearing historic lows as Canadians delay moves heading into winter.
To assess just how steep rental costs have become, Metroland examined third-quarter 2025 apartment listings for studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units in communities across Ontario. Not all cities had listings for every category, but the overall picture makes one thing undeniable: even the simplest units have become expensive, and renting a family-sized home is out of reach for many middle-income earners.
Ontario cities continue to rank among the most expensive in the country, despite the national year-over-year decline in average rents. The squeeze between incomes and housing costs shows no signs of easing — and for thousands of Ontarians, simply finding a safe place to call home has become its own daily struggle.
More detailed rental price comparisons for your community can be found at Rentals.ca, including updated monthly averages and guidance on how much of your income should realistically go toward housing.