Canada’s rental affordability crisis continues to weigh heavily on renters, with a new national survey finding that high rent prices remain the biggest obstacle for the vast majority of people searching for housing.
According to Rentals.ca’s Spring 2026 Renter Preference Survey, 70% of Canadian renters identified rising rent prices as the single biggest challenge in their housing search, far ahead of limited rental supply or unsuitable listings.
The findings highlight the growing disconnect between what renters can afford and what many landlords are asking.
Most Renters Can’t Afford Today’s Average Asking Rent
One of the survey’s most striking findings is the gap between renter budgets and market prices.
According to the survey:
- 42% of renters have a monthly rental budget below $1,500.
- Canada’s average asking rent now exceeds $2,000 per month.
That means many renters are searching for homes that simply don’t exist in large numbers, particularly in Canada’s biggest cities.
The affordability gap continues to make securing suitable housing increasingly difficult for many Canadians.
Four In Ten Renters Want To Move For One Reason
Affordability is now influencing where Canadians choose to live.
The survey found that 40% of renters are planning to move specifically to find a more affordable place to live.
Other reasons for relocating included:
- 30% want more living space.
- 22% are moving for work or school.
The findings suggest that rising rents are becoming one of the country’s biggest drivers of residential mobility.
Most Renters Don’t Expect Relief Anytime Soon
Despite rents softening in some markets over the past year, many renters remain pessimistic.
Only 25% of survey respondents believe rents will decline over the next six months.
Nearly half expect rental prices to either remain the same or continue increasing, suggesting affordability concerns are likely to persist throughout the remainder of 2026.
AI Is Changing The Apartment Hunt
The survey also found that artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how Canadians search for rentals.
Nearly one-third (29%) of renters reported using AI tools such as ChatGPT or Google Gemini during their apartment search.
Respondents said they used AI to:
- Compare rental prices
- Research neighbourhoods
- Understand lease agreements
- Draft messages to landlords
AI adoption was highest among renters aged 25 to 34 and first-time renters entering the market.
Rent-Controlled Units Remain In High Demand
As affordability pressures continue, many renters are prioritizing stability.
The survey found:
- 36% are only considering rent-controlled units for their next move.
- 41% remain unsure whether rent control will influence their decision.
Meanwhile, in-suite laundry ranked as the most desirable rental feature, with 67% of respondents saying they would be willing to pay more for the amenity.
Affordability Remains Canada’s Biggest Rental Challenge
While Canada’s rental market has shown signs of cooling in some regions, affordability remains the dominant concern for renters across virtually every income level.
According to Rentals.ca, even renters with larger housing budgets continue to report difficulty finding suitable units, while those with lower budgets face an increasingly limited pool of affordable options.
The survey suggests that despite slowing rent growth in some markets, many Canadians still feel priced out of the rental housing they need.
References
Rentals.ca. (2026, June 25). Spring 2026 renter preference survey: 70% of Canadian renters say high rent prices are their biggest challenge. https://rentals.ca/blog
Rentals.ca. (2026). Spring Renter Preference Survey 2026. https://rentals.ca
Canada Housing Market 
Leave a comment