Leading North American apartment search website, RentCafe, recently published the Canadian Renter Interest Report, highlighting the top trending cities in Canada that have captured the most interest from renters in Q3 2024. To compile the list, analysts considered millions of interactions on its platform, specifically looking at four key indicators across Canadian properties: availability of apartments, listing views, apartments saved as favourites, and personalized saved searches.

Below is a snapshot of Canada’s top trending cities of Q3, according to the new report:

1. Winnipeg, MB, leads as Canada’s top trending city for renter interest, with the highest possible score of 100 points driven by the high engagement metrics from renters. Winnipeg’s strong, diverse economy attracts apartment hunters from all over Canada, mostly from Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
2. Saskatoon, SK, ranks second with a score of 90.49, driven by a 27 per cent increase in online traffic and a 34 per cent rise in favourited listings year-over-year. Interest for apartments in Saskatoon mainly comes from renters in Winnipeg, Calgary, and nearby Regina, SK.
3. Edmonton, AB, sitting at number three, stands out as the only major Canadian city in the top 10. With a score of 88.88, the city has the highest number of apartments marked as favourites. Edmonton attracts interest from young professionals and families, especially from cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary.
4. Victoria, BC, claims fourth place, driven by a 34 per cent increase in favourited listings and a 17 per cent rise in online traffic year-over-year. The city’s high quality of life and strong community appeal make it a favourite among renters from Toronto and within British Columbia.
5. Ottawa, ON, rounds out the top five with increased interest from government workers and young professionals looking for housing in the nation’s capital. Despite a slight drop in page views year-over-year, Ottawa ranks third for favourited listings, showing a strong, focused interest among apartment hunters.

Other key insights:

• Ontario stands out as the most highly sought-after region with Toronto, Ottawa, and Kingston among the top 10. Mid-sized cities are also in the ranks as their balance between affordability and quality of life draw renter interest.
• The Prairies lead with three trending cities in the top five: Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton highlight the growing appeal of mid-sized cities as renters seek better deals and job prospects beyond traditional hubs.
• 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 lifestyrles, even beyond the peak moving season.

For the full list of trending cities in Canada this quarter, click here: https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/canada-renter-interest-report/