Canada’s Trending Cities for Renters: Winnipeg Holds Onto 1st Spot at the Start of 2025, Toronto Moves Up in the Rankings

Apartment searches in Canada experienced a seasonal decline at the start of 2025, a trend typically seen during the winter months in the Great White North. Despite this anticipated slowdown, Canadian cities continue to draw renter interest, especially as home prices remain high and housing options are still limited, making renting the preferred choice for many Canadians. But which cities are sparking the most interest from apartment hunters?

To pinpoint Canada’s top trending rental markets, we analyzed millions of interactions on RentCafe.com in the last quarter of 2024. We focused on 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

The podium has seen a significant shake-up since fall 2024. Winnipeg holds steady at #1 as Canada’s most sought-after city for apartment hunters. Meanwhile, Saskatoon, SK, which was previously ranked second, has plummeted 19 places to 21st. This was caused by a spike in listings, giving renters an expansive selection of apartments to choose from.

Taking over the second spot is Edmonton, AB, with Victoria, BC, moving into third place. Ottawa, ON, secures fourth, maintaining steady demand, particularly from government workers. Rounding out the top five, Halifax, NS, climbs six spots from the previous quarter, reflecting increased interest in the city.

In a striking turnaround, Moncton, NB, has surged 19 places from the previous quarter’s lowest ranks, firmly establishing itself in sixth place among Canada’s most sought-after rental markets.

Taking a broader look by province, Ontario stands out with four cities in the top 10, the most of any province, while British Columbia follows with two. Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia each have one city making the list.

This report showcases trending Canadian cities experiencing growing renter interest at the start of the year. It’s worth mentioning that while major hubs like Toronto and Vancouver maintain strong appeal for apartment hunters, their year-over-year changes remain moderate due to their already well-established rental markets.

Winnipeg, MB, remains the top choice for renters looking for apartments in Canada

1. Winnipeg, MB

Winnipeg, MB, holds steady as the most sought-after city for renters searching for apartments on RentCafe.com. The city also ranks second nationwide for page views and favourited listings — despite slight drops from the previous quarter — indicating that renters interested in apartments in Winnipeg often find their ideal home without needing to revisit their searches.

As an established centre for manufacturing, agrifood, education, and healthcare, Winnipeg attracts a steady influx of workers, many of whom begin their journey as renters. While locals make up a significant portion of the demand, the majority of outside interest comes from Toronto, with renters from Calgary and Vancouver trailing far behind.

2. Edmonton, AB

With a score of 87.43, Edmonton, AB, ranks as Canada’s second-most popular city for renters despite a dip in page views — and shines as the only large city by population in the top 10. The city leads in favourited apartments and ranks second for saved searches on RentCafe.com, highlighting renters’ confidence in their choices as they look for apartments.

Long known as a hub for oil and gas, Edmonton is also becoming a tech hotspot home to large employers, thus attracting both young professionals and families in search of job opportunities and more affordable housing. Its population is expanding, fuelled by both new immigrants and people moving from other provinces, many of whom choose to rent initially. As such, apartments in Edmonton have boosted interest from renters coming from cities like Calgary and Vancouver, as well as some from across the border.

3. Victoria, BC

Victoria, BC, secures third place with a score of 83.14, driven by an increase in online traffic — placing it third in Canada for page views — and a drop in favourited listings compared to the previous quarter, showcasing renters’ strong confidence in their decisions.

While Victoria is more expensive than many other Canadian cities, it remains a top choice for remote workers and young entrepreneurs attracted by its walkability, sense of community and overall great lifestyle that comes with living in a smaller city. That said, most interest in Victoria comes from within British Columbia, particularly from renters in Vancouver and Oak Bay.

4. Ottawa, ON

Ottawa, ON, holds fourth place among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest, earning a score of 81.79. Even though page views dropped significantly from the previous quarter, a 13% decrease in available listings on RentCafe.com has left renters with fewer options, leading to quick action to secure leases. In fact, the city ranks fifth for favourited properties and sixth for saved searches, showing how fast renters are moving to secure apartments in Ottawa.

With a stable economy powered by the government and tech sectors, Ottawa combines urban amenities with natural beauty and walkable neighbourhoods, making it an appealing choice for families and professionals alike. Interest in Ottawa isn’t limited to locals — it’s also driven by renters from Toronto and Montréal as well as commuters from nearby Gatineau, QC, who value the convenience of living closer to work.

5. Halifax, NS

Halifax, NS, takes fifth place, climbing six spots from the previous quarter with a score of 77.75. Despite a 34% decline in online traffic, its popularity is likely due to a surge in favourited apartments — placing the city fourth in Canada for this category — amid a modest increase in available options. This suggests that renters are carefully evaluating apartments in Halifax before deciding on their ideal home.

Halifax provides a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of larger cities like Toronto and Montréal. With its ongoing efforts to establish itself as a smart city, Halifax is home to several universities and colleges, drawing a steady influx of students and faculty, thus increasing demand for housing. In addition to locals, renter interest also comes from Toronto; Dartmouth, NS; and Edmundston, NB.

6. Moncton, NB

Moncton secures sixth place after skyrocketing 19 spots since the previous quarter, earning a score of 75.80. This surge is largely driven by a spike in online engagement, making it Canada’s #1 city for page views.

Moncton’s growing appeal comes down to two big factors: It’s a bilingual service hub that attracts financial institutions and customer service centres, and its prime location in the Maritimes makes it a key spot for logistics and transportation. Plus, the city offers a more affordable cost of living and plenty of job opportunities in tech, manufacturing, and service industries. Given these advantages, it’s no surprise that interest in apartments in Moncton has surged, particularly from renters in Toronto; Halifax, NS; and nearby Dieppe, NB.

7. Kingston, ON

Kingston ranks seventh among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest and second in Ontario, earning a score of 75.41. That’s mostly due to a drop in available listings on RentCafe.com, prompting renters to act fast and skip steps in their apartment search.

Kingston draws newcomers looking for affordability and job opportunities, as well as retirees looking to downsize — along with students, faculty staff and researchers. Most renters searching for apartments in Kingston are from Toronto, Montréal, and Ottawa.

8. Niagara Falls, ON

Staying in Ontario, Niagara Falls ranks as the eighth most in-demand city for renters in Canada, earning a score of 74.61 after moving up two spots since last quarter. This rise is due to a modest 4% increase in available listings, while favourited properties dropped significantly. Consequently, many renters seeking apartments in Niagara Falls are skipping the browsing phase and moving straight to securing a lease.

Beyond its world-famous waterfall, Niagara Falls strikes a perfect balance between city life and small-town charm. With big-city amenities close to home, residents don’t need to travel far for everyday essentials. This mix of convenience and affordability continues to attract budget-conscious renters from the Greater Toronto Area, many of whom commute to Toronto for work.

9. Oshawa, ON

Oshawa, ON, has jumped three spots to rank ninth among Canada’s trending cities for renter interest, earning a score of 73.20. Even with a 19% increase in available listings compared to the previous quarter, the city ranks third for favourited properties. This, along with a drop in saved searches, suggests that renters are carefully evaluating listings they like and skipping extra steps when searching for apartments in Oshawa.

Just 60 kilometres east of Toronto, Oshawa is a prime commuter town with easy access to Highway 401 and GO Transit, offering a more affordable lifestyle with big-city connections. While General Motors of Canada anchors the city’s strong manufacturing base, Oshawa’s economy is expanding into healthcare, education, tech, and logistics, creating diverse job opportunities for renters. In addition to local demand, Oshawa attracts interest from renters in Toronto and Montréal, as well as those looking to relocate from nearby Whitby and Ajax, ON.

10. Nanaimo, BC

Breaking Ontario’s streak, Nanaimo, BC, rounds out the top 10 with a score of 70.02, slipping three spots since the previous quarter. With more options available, many renters looking for apartments in Nanaimo opt to favour listings rather than saving searches to revisit them later, suggesting a more deliberate approach as they browse on RentCafe.com.

As the hub of central Vancouver Island, Nanaimo offers a more affordable alternative to Victoria and mainland British Columbia, including Vancouver and the Tri-Cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody. It provides the perfect mix of city amenities and natural beauty, making it an appealing choice for those seeking a budget-friendly lifestyle without compromising on quality of life.

Edmonton is still the only major renter hub in the top 10 but Toronto inches closer, pulling further ahead of Montréal and Vancouver

While Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal remain popular — including among newcomers to Canada — demand appears to have leveled off during the winter months. Instead, more apartment hunters on RentCafe.com are exploring smaller cities and suburban areas for affordability, job opportunities, and extra space, particularly for remote work.

Edmonton maintains its position as the sole major city among Canada’s top 10 trending cities for renter interest, climbing one spot in the rankings. Its energy-based economy continues to attract both new immigrants and skilled workers from other provinces.

Meanwhile, Calgary (score 57.89) has slipped three places to 18th, likely due to a drop in page views while available listings increased. Despite these changes, renters looking for apartments in Calgary are confident in their choices, suggesting they’re skipping the browsing phase and locking in leases as soon as they find a place they like.

 

Interestingly, Toronto has seen a surge in renter interest, jumping six spots since last quarter to claim 14th place among Canada’s top trending rental markets (score 64.20). As the country’s economic powerhouse, it continues to attract newcomers eager to grow their careers and enjoy big-city living — especially with rents now showing signs of easing. With plenty of well-paying job opportunities, living and working in Toronto remains a realistic option for many.

That said, those looking for apartments in Toronto are moving fast, as suggested by the sharp declines in saved searches and favourited listings. Beyond local demand, interest is coming from fellow Ontarians in Mississauga and Ottawa, as well as apartment seekers from Montréal.

Next, Montréal stays put in 22nd place (score 50.75). The increase in available listings coupled with an uptick in favourited properties suggests that active apartment hunters are very selective, likely considering the challenges of moving during winter and recent rent increases in the area.

Meanwhile, Vancouver has slipped two spots this quarter, now ranking 23rd with a score of 48.63. Despite a surge in available listings, online engagement for apartments in Vancouver has cooled off, suggesting renters are taking their time before locking in leases in the 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 fourth quarter of 2024 (October through December) versus the previous quarter.

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 fourth quarter of 2024 by the total units and a quarter-over-quarter 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 fourth quarter of 2024 at the city level divided by the total renter population in the city and a quarter-over-quarter 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 fourth quarter of 2024 divided by the total renter population in the city and a quarter-over-quarter 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 fourth quarter of 2024 divided by the total renter population in the city and a quarter-over-quarter comparison of the same. A saved search is defined as a filtered/personalized apartment search saved by a website visitor.

Fair use and redistribution

We encourage you and freely grant you permission to reuse, host, or repost the research, graphics, and images presented in this article. When doing so, we ask that you credit our research by linking to RentCafe.com or this page, so that your readers can learn more about this project, the research behind it and its methodology. For more in-depth, customized data, please contact us at media@rentcafe.com.