Canada’s Trending Cities for Renters: Winnipeg Ranks 1st as Many Look to Prairie Hubs for Better Deals

Key Takeaways:

• Winnipeg, MB, is the #1 trending city for renter interest in Canada, leading a pack of highly coveted locations in the Prairie Provinces.
• While Ontario remains the most sought-after province for apartment hunters, established markets like Toronto and Vancouver rank near the bottom of the list when it comes to year-over-year increases in renter interest.
• Edmonton, AB, stands out as the only major Canadian city in the top 10, drawing attention with its strong energy-based economy.
• Many renters are gravitating toward mid-sized cities, drawn by the prospect of more affordable housing, a higher quality of life, and better job prospects.

High home prices and limited housing options continue to make renting the go-to option for many Canadians. As a result, renters across the country are consistently on the lookout for apartments that align with their budgets and lifestyles, even beyond the peak moving season. But which cities in the True North are seeing the most rental interest?

To find out, we analyzed millions of interactions on RentCafe.com to uncover Canada’s top trending cities for renting in the third quarter of 2024. Specifically, we looked at four key indicators from Canadian properties listed on our website to rank the cities attracting the most interest from apartment hunters:

• availability of apartments
• listing views
• apartments saved as favourites
• saved personalized searches

Winnipeg, MB, claims the top spot among the trending cities for renting in Canada, followed by Saskatoon, SK, and Edmonton, AB. Apartment listings in these cities saw the highest engagement from RentCafe.com visitors this quarter, showing strong interest in the affordability, quality of life, and economic opportunities prairie cities provide.

Breaking the prairie streak, Victoria, BC, comes in fourth place, while Ottawa, ON, rounds out the top five, with increased demand from government workers searching for housing in the nation’s capital.

Notably, Ontario boasts four entries in the top 10, followed by British Columbia and Saskatchewan, each with two cities. Manitoba and Alberta each have one city represented in the ranking.

This report highlights trending Canadian cities that are seeing growing renter interest. While large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver continue to experience strong interest, their year-over-year changes are more moderate, as these rental markets are already well-established.

Winnipeg, MB, reigns supreme among Canada’s trending cities for apartment hunters

1. Winnipeg, MB

Winnipeg, MB, emerged as the most sought-after city by renters perusing on RentCafe.com in the third quarter of 2024, earning the highest possible score of 100. The city also ranks second nationwide for favourited apartments, which suggests that renters interested in apartments in Winnipeg are decisive, often finding what they want without needing to save their searches for later.

Winnipeg’s diverse economy, including sectors like manufacturing, education, and healthcare, attracts workers who often start as renters. Besides local renters, those interested in Winnipeg apartments hail from Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

2. Saskatoon, SK

The second-trending city for renter interest is Saskatoon, SK, with a score of 90.49 out of 100 — largely driven by a 27% increase in online traffic and a 34% rise in favourited listings compared to last year. Like Winnipeg, renters in Saskatoon are decisive, favouriting apartments without the need to revisit saved searches.

As one of Canada’s youngest and fastest-growing prairie cities, Saskatoon continues to attract newcomers and young families looking for affordable housing, as well as skilled workers seeking better job prospects. In addition to local interest, many renters searching for apartments in Saskatoon come from Winnipeg, MB; Calgary, AB; and nearby Regina, SK.

3. Edmonton, AB

With a score of 88.88, Edmonton, AB, ranks as Canada’s third-trending city for renter interest and stands as the largest city in the top 10 by population. Edmonton tops the list for favourited apartments, reflecting renters’ strong confidence in their choices when searching for a place to call home.

Edmonton’s diverse economy, spanning industries such as oil and gas, trade, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, attracts young professionals and families seeking job opportunities. The city’s population is growing rapidly, driven by both new immigrants arriving in Canada and people moving from other provinces. However, despite its size, Edmonton remains more affordable compared to other major Canadian cities. As such, apartments in Edmonton are attracting increased interest, not just from local renters, but also from residents in other major cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary.

4. Victoria, BC

Coming in fourth is Victoria, BC, with its score of 88.05 largely influenced by the 34% increase in favourited apartments and a 17% uptick in online traffic compared to one year prior (placing it at #4 nationwide for page views). Most renters interested in apartments in Victoria are very confident and decisive in their apartment hunt.

Boasting a strong sense of community and a high quality of life, this picturesque city on the West Coast of Canada is a great renting spot for workers from various sectors, including government, education, and technology. While expensive compared to many Canadian cities, Victoria may offer more affordable options, especially for those seeking a high quality of life in a smaller location. That’s evidenced by the fact that the majority of people interested in Victoria are Torontonians and fellow British Colombians — mostly from Vancouver, Oak Bay and View Royal.

5. Ottawa, ON

Ranking fifth among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest is Ottawa, ON, which earned a score of 86.71. Despite a drop in page views year-over-year, the nation’s capital places third for favourited listings. This suggests that renters searching for apartments in Ottawa have a more focused approach when it comes to finding a new place to call home.

Notably, Ottawa ranks among the world’s best cities for expats. Plus, its strong economy, including a stable government employment base and a growing tech sector, attracts young professionals and families looking for rental options. Along with local renters, Ottawa attracts interest from renters in Gatineau, QC (who are likely seeking to live within very close proximity to their jobs), as well as Montréal and those outpriced of Toronto.

6. Regina, SK

Back to the prairies, Regina, SK, ranks sixth among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest, with a score of 81.24. Despite a 7% drop in online traffic and a 29% increase in available listings compared to last year, favourited apartments almost doubled. This suggests that renters are more focused on favouriting the listings for apartments in Regina they like rather than saving entire searches to revisit sometime later.

Regina strikes a balance between urban conveniences and access to green spaces, making it appealing to renters seeking a high quality of life. There is also a growing trend among young families prioritizing proximity to schools, which many of Regina’s neighborhoods can offer. In addition to local interest, most renters looking for apartments in Regina are from Calgary, Winnipeg, and Toronto.

7. Nanaimo, BC

Next, with a score of 77.03, Nanaimo, BC, comes in seventh in our ranking. Interestingly, Nanaimo is the only place among all cities analyzed where renters are showing a preference for saving their searches rather than simply favouriting the listings they like, which suggests they are taking a more thorough approach when it comes to finding their ideal home on RentCafe.com. Specifically, saved searches for apartments in Nanaimo increased by 10% year-over-year, while favourited listings remained flat.

This reflects apartment hunters' growing interest in Vancouver Island communities as more affordable alternatives to Victoria or mainland British Columbia cities like Vancouver; the Tri-Cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody; Abbotsford; and even Kelowna. Factor in a great balance of urban amenities, plenty of green spaces, access to public transit and proximity to schools in many neighborhoods and it’s easy to see why many renters from Vancouver and Toronto, along with locals, are drawn to Nanaimo as they look for better housing options.

8. Kingston, ON

Ranking eighth among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest, Kingston is Ontario’s second entry in the top 10 (score 76.93). Despite significant drops in saved searches and favourited listings compared to one year prior, Kingston has also seen a 39% reduction in available properties on RentCafe.com. This suggests that renters are more eager to secure leases here than in other cities, reflecting a tight rental market.

Much of the demand for apartments in Kingston comes from students attending Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. Beyond that, the city has experienced a surge in urban development and infrastructure upgrades, boosting its appeal, particularly in areas near downtown and the waterfront. Plus, compared to larger cities in Eastern Canada, Kingston also offers more affordable housing options. That said, renters interested in Kingston typically come from Toronto, Montréal, and other Ontario cities like Ottawa and Mississauga.

9. London, ON

Next up is London, another trending rental spot in Ontario (score 72.35). Here as well, renters perusing on RentCafe.com show a preference for favouriting the listings they like (up 28% year-over-year), which demonstrates a more committed approach to apartment hunting.

London remains relatively affordable compared to larger cities in this part of Canada. Most of the demand for apartments in London comes from students, as the city is home to Western University. Additionally, growing industries such as battery development, energy storage, agri-food, and technology are attracting skilled workers to the area. Notably, London draws in renters mostly from other Ontario cities like Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton, with increasing interest from Montréal residents looking to relocate as well.

10. Niagara Falls, ON

Rounding out the top 10 trending cities for renter interest in Canada is another spot in Ontario, Niagara Falls (score 69.86). Showcasing a dramatic decline of 81% in saved searches and a 58% decrease in favourited listings, along with a 36% decline in online traffic year-over-year, renters seeking apartments in Niagara Falls seem more inclined to skip preliminary steps and go straight to committing to a lease.

The proximity to natural attractions, including the famous Niagara Falls, makes the city appealing for those seeking a balance between scenic beauty and affordable urban living just a stone’s throw from the U.S. Beyond local interest, Niagara Falls attracts renters from St. Catharines, ON, and those seeking better deals compared to Toronto.

Edmonton is the only major city in the top 10, with Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal trailing far behind

Taking a closer look at Canada’s major rental hubs, an interesting trend stands out: Many apartment hunters on RentCafe.com are gravitating toward mid-sized cities in search of affordable options, quality of life, and better job prospects. This indicates that larger cities, which already have established rental markets, may have hit a peak when it comes to renter interest.

That said, Edmonton stands as the only big renter hub in the top 10 trending cities for renter interest, reflecting the strong pull of its energy-driven economy. It’s neighbor, Calgary, ranks a distant 15th with a score of 61.06 but still manages to place 10th nationwide for favourited listings — a sign that renters interested in apartments in Calgary are keen to secure a lease more quickly. Out-of-province renters interested in apartments here are currently based in Vancouver and Toronto.

Toronto serves as an example that renter interest in Canada’s largest apartment markets may have plateaued. The country’s largest city only secured 20th place in our ranking, scoring 57.62. However, the city ranks 15th nationwide for favourited listings, a sign that renters interested in apartments in Toronto are acting swiftly in this tight rental market. While the vast majority of visitors on RentCafe.com in search of rentals in the city are locals, there’s strong interest coming from apartment hunters from Montréal, as well as in-province renters from Ottawa and the Toronto suburbs of Mississauga, Vaughan, and Brampton.

Similarly, Vancouver ranks 21st overall (score 55.63) but 18th for favourited listings, a sign that finding apartments in Vancouver requires quick decisions due to the city’s housing shortage. Here again, the majority of renter interest comes from locals and in-province apartment hunters from places like Surrey, Burnaby and Richmond who likely want to live closer to their workplaces. However, Vancouver also attracts strong renter interest from Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton.

Finally, Montréal ranks 22nd among Canada’s trending cities for apartment seekers (score 54.59) — the lowest ranking among the country’s major cities. However, it’s worth noting that renter interest in apartments in Montréal usually spikes in the weeks leading up to July 1st, which is Moving Day in Québec. Even beyond this peak time for moving, with the city’s population growing by 100,000 in 2023 alone amid insufficient apartments, finding a rental here requires swift decisions. Besides locals and apartment hunters from suburbs like Laval and Longueuil, many renters interested in Montréal apartments are based in Toronto and Ottawa, ON; and New York City.

Methodology

RentCafe.com is a nationwide apartment search website that enables renters to easily find apartments and houses for rent throughout Canada.

To compile this report, the research team analyzed RentCafe.com’s rental listing data across 25 cities in Canada with a relevant listing inventory sample. The regions are defined according to Statistics Canada.

The cities were ranked based on a city-level rental interest score. Full points were awarded to the most desirable city for a particular metric, while the zero-point level was set slightly below the worst city’s value. Cities that lacked sufficient information regarding specific metrics were awarded zero points.

The city that obtained the highest total score was awarded 100 points and all total scores of the following cities were adjusted accordingly.

To calculate each city’s score, we ranked them according to four metrics and their averages as of the third quarter of 2024 (July through September) versus the same quarter of 2023.

1. Availability Rate (Maximum score: 40 points)

The availability rate score was calculated by dividing the total vacant units at the city level for the third quarter of 2024 by the total units and a year-over-year comparison of the same. The lowest rate received maximum points.

2. Page Views (Maximum score: 30 points)

The page views score was calculated as the total number of page views the third quarter of 2024 at the city level divided by the total renter population in the city and a year-over-year comparison of the same. Page views are defined as a unique visitor interaction on a specific page in a 30-minute window.

3. Favourites (Maximum score: 15 points)

The favourites score was calculated as the total rental listings added to favourites at the city level for the third quarter of 2024 divided by the total renter population in the city and a year-over-year comparison of the same. A favourite is defined as a rental listing saved to favourites by a website visitor.

4. Saved Searches (Maximum score: 15 points)

The saved searches score was calculated as the total number of saved searches at the city level for the third quarter of 2024 divided by the total renter population in the city and a year-over-year comparison of the same. A saved search is defined as a filtered/personalized apartment search saved by a website visitor.

Fair use and redistribution

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