Toronto 
St. John’s has been named the best city for renters in Canada, outshining 99 other cities in a recent study conducted by Point2.
The analysis considered 24 metrics across three categories: Housing & Economy, Quality of Life, and Community, to determine which cities offer the most balanced rental experiences.
Canada’s Best Cities for Renters
According to the study, St. John’s offers a blend of economic opportunity, life satisfaction, and community involvement. The city benefits from a strong economic backbone, supported by the fishing, gas, and oil industries, alongside a vibrant arts and cultural scene.
Credit: Point2
Québec dominates the rankings with seven cities in the top 10: Sherbrooke, Québec City, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Granby, Saint-Hyacinthe, and Lévis. These cities offer low average rents, all under $1,000, and boast high scores in economic and housing metrics. Sherbrooke and Québec City, in particular, are highlighted for their affordability and quality of life.
New Brunswick also has notable mentions, with Fredericton and Saint John making it to the top 10. The study reveals that none of Canada’s largest cities, including Toronto and Montreal, made it to the top of the list, highlighting a shift in renter preferences towards smaller, more affordable cities with better quality of life metrics.
Economy & Housing: Best Cities for Renters
Québec dominates the Economy & Housing rankings for renters, with 18 out of its 19 cities leading the category, highlighting exceptional quality of life.
Only Saint John and Moncton in New Brunswick come close, ranking 19th and 20th. Wood Buffalo in northern Alberta leads in affordability, with 82.8% of renters spending 30% or less of their income on housing.
Quebec cities like Saguenay and Sherbrooke, offer the most affordable rents, averaging under $1,000 per month.
Quality of Life: Best Cities for Renters
Credit: Point2
Ontario cities of Whitby, Oshawa and Sherbrooke in Quebec provide a balanced lifestyle for renters.
While rent and affordability are critical, factors like safety, air quality, walkability, commute times, and green spaces are also crucial. British Columbia excels in walkability, with Vancouver, North Vancouver City, Victoria, and New Westminster scoring high. Caledon boasts perfect greenness. Québec City and Lévis have the highest life satisfaction, while St. John’s, Saskatoon and Oshawa report the least stress.
Community Hotspots
Victoria leads the Community category, followed by St. John’s and Vancouver. These cities excel in providing a strong sense of community, access to parks, museums, and a variety of educational and entertainment options. Victoria, with its high scores for the number of restaurants and museums and the share of the population with post-secondary education, is recognized for offering a rich and fulfilling lifestyle for renters.
Point2 Homes says the report was generated for the 100 largest Census Subdivisions in Canada using the latest 2021 data. The places were analyzed for 23 metrics across three categories—Economy & Housing, Quality of Life, and Community—to determine the best cities for renters. Each metric was scored on a scale of 100, indicating top proficiency. This comprehensive analysis includes diverse data points like renter rates, inequality indices, crime rates, and walkability. Notably, data gaps at the city level were supplemented with metro-level statistics where necessary.
