In brief
According to CMHC's Rental Market Survey (October 2025), the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ranges from $1,277 in Quebec City to $2,363 in Vancouver across the 18 major metropolitan areas — Toronto: $2,046; Montreal: $1,346. These averages cover purpose-built rental units (the CMHC universe) — not asking rents in listings, which are generally higher.
Average rent in 18 metropolitan areas (October 2025)
CMHC averages by unit size, ranked by 2-bedroom rent — the standard comparison metric. The change is computed between the published October 2024 and October 2025 levels for 2-bedroom units.
| Metropolitan area | Studio | 1 bed | 2 bed | 2-bed change (1 yr) | 3 bed + | All sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | $1,667 | $1,806 | $2,363 | +2.1 % | $3,009 | $1,963 |
| Victoria | $1,349 | $1,625 | $2,120 | +6.4 % | $2,886 | $1,805 |
| Toronto | $1,491 | $1,761 | $2,046 | +3.6 % | $2,317 | $1,913 |
| Ottawa | $1,331 | $1,594 | $1,926 | +2.4 % | $2,203 | $1,727 |
| Calgary | $1,441 | $1,582 | $1,914 | +1.7 % | $2,171 | $1,761 |
| Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | $1,261 | $1,545 | $1,832 | +3.7 % | $1,980 | $1,726 |
| Halifax | $1,362 | $1,540 | $1,826 | +7 % | $2,251 | $1,745 |
| Hamilton | $1,076 | $1,402 | $1,656 | +1.5 % | $1,895 | $1,541 |
| London | $1,066 | $1,371 | $1,651 | +6.7 % | $1,987 | $1,534 |
| Edmonton | $1,108 | $1,301 | $1,603 | +4.4 % | $1,793 | $1,464 |
| Winnipeg | $915 | $1,232 | $1,571 | +4.2 % | $1,861 | $1,392 |
| Saskatoon | $981 | $1,259 | $1,548 | +5.2 % | $1,732 | $1,438 |
| St. Catharines–Niagara | $1,189 | $1,318 | $1,527 | +3.6 % | $1,639 | $1,445 |
| Regina | $901 | $1,238 | $1,473 | +4.1 % | $1,958 | $1,386 |
| Gatineau | $1,046 | $1,362 | $1,460 | +7.9 % | $1,520 | $1,420 |
| Windsor | $942 | $1,192 | $1,454 | +4.8 % | — | $1,287 |
| Montreal | $1,005 | $1,131 | $1,346 | +14.5 % | $1,626 | $1,290 |
| Quebec City | $855 | $1,107 | $1,277 | +10.2 % | $1,475 | $1,227 |
Source: CMHC, Rental Market Survey, October 2025 (Table 1.1.2 per CMA — "Private Apartment Average Rents"). Scope: purpose-built rental apartments, CMA level. ASKING rents in listings (vacant units) are generally higher than these averages, which also cover existing leases. "—" = suppressed or unpublished data.
How to read these figures
CMHC average ≠ asking rent. The CMHC survey measures the average rent of occupied and vacant units in the purpose-built rental stock — old leases included. It is THE official reference, but a unit listed for rent today generally shows a higher price than its city's average: old leases pull the average down.
The gap between markets remains huge: an average 2-bedroom costs $2,363 in Vancouver versus $1,277 in Quebec City — a 1.9× spread. For renters weighing a purchase, compare with our dossier "What income do you need to buy?" — in several cities, the ownership payment is no longer far from the rent of an equivalent unit.
Renter today, buyer tomorrow: the FHSA + HBP (up to $100,000 of tax shelter per person) and first-time buyer programs are designed exactly for that transition.
Methodology and source
The figures come from CMHC's official data tables (Rental Market Report, October 2025 survey, Table 1.1.2 of each CMA), extracted on July 27, 2026 — no figure estimated or interpolated. The 2-bedroom year-over-year change is arithmetic between the two published levels (October 2024 → October 2025), labelled as such. The CMHC survey covers privately initiated rental buildings of 3+ units; rented condos and secondary suites are not in these averages.
CMHC runs this survey every October and publishes results early the following year — this page will be updated at the next edition.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Canada in 2026?
According to CMHC's Rental Market Survey (October 2025), the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ranges from $1,277 in Quebec City to $2,363 in Vancouver across the 18 major metropolitan areas — Toronto: $2,046; Montreal: $1,346. These averages cover purpose-built rental units (the CMHC universe) — not asking rents in listings, which are generally higher.
What is the average rent in Toronto?
At the Toronto CMA level (October 2025, CMHC): studio $1,491, 1-bedroom $1,761, 2-bedroom $2,046, 3-bedroom+ $2,317 — all sizes: $1,913. These are stock averages (existing leases included); units listed for rent are generally pricier.
What is the average rent in Montreal?
At the Montreal CMA level (October 2025, CMHC): studio $1,005, 1-bedroom $1,131, 2-bedroom $1,346, 3-bedroom+ $1,626 — all sizes: $1,290.
Why do listings show higher prices than these averages?
Because the CMHC average includes existing leases, often old and below current market. A unit re-listed today shows the going market rent — the gap between average and asking rent is itself an indicator of market tightness.
Where do these figures come from?
From CMHC's Rental Market Survey (October 2025), official data tables published per CMA — extracted as-is, never estimated. The exact scope (purpose-built rental apartments, CMA level) is stated under the table.
Related reading — our data dossiers
- Canada policy rate
- 2026-2027 forecasts: will prices drop?
- What income do you need to buy?
- Quebec real estate prices
- Ontario real estate prices
- Alberta real estate prices
- British Columbia real estate prices
- Saskatchewan real estate prices
- Rent or buy? The monthly gap by city
- How long to sell? City by city
- Land transfer tax, city by city
- 25 vs 30-year amortization: the real cost
- Real estate commission: the real numbers
- Sell with an agent or sell yourself?
- Quebec notary fees
- Real-estate market statistics
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