With home prices still sky-high and rental rates finally dipping, Canadians are on the move—online at least—searching for the best places to live. A new report from RentCafe reveals the top trending cities for apartment hunters across the country, and Winnipeg has unexpectedly claimed the No. 1 spot.
Despite a 5.2% year-over-year drop in the average selling price in the Greater Toronto Area—down to $1,022,143 in August 2025—buying a home remains out of reach for many Canadians, especially in expensive markets like Toronto and Vancouver. As a result, more people are turning to rentals, with national asking rents falling for the eleventh consecutive month, down 2.3% year-over-year to an average of $2,137 in August.
This shifting landscape has energized Canada’s rental market. RentCafe analyzed millions of interactions on its platform, tracking available listings, listing views, apartments saved as favourites, and personalized searches to uncover the top 10 trending cities for renters. Their findings suggest that affordability concerns, limited housing inventory, and evolving regional dynamics are shaping where Canadians focus their apartment searches.
Winnipeg emerged as the most sought-after city for renters in the second quarter of 2025, praised for its affordability and resilient local economy. Ontario saw Kingston break into the top 10 for the first time, while Ottawa held its usual place as the province’s other strong contender. Other popular cities making the list include Moncton, Edmonton, Halifax, and Saskatoon, reflecting growing interest in smaller markets where prices are more manageable and quality of life remains high.
As the pressure of homeownership continues to push more Canadians into the rental market, cities offering a balance of affordability and opportunity are rising to the top of renters’ wish lists.