How much is a 1 bedroom apartment in Edmonton?

The average rent for a 1 bedroom purpose-built apartment in Edmonton is approximately $1,250 per month (CMHC, October 2025). Asking rents on listing platforms average around $1,400. Edmonton has some of the most affordable rents among major Canadian cities.

What is the vacancy rate in Edmonton?

The Edmonton CMA vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments was 3.4% in October 2025, unchanged from October 2024. Edmonton has maintained one of the higher vacancy rates among major cities, reflecting both strong new supply and a market that has historically been more balanced.

Is Edmonton the cheapest major city to rent in Canada?

Edmonton is among the cheapest major cities for rent in Canada, with 1-bedroom asking rents around $1,400 and 2-bedroom asking rents around $1,700. Only prairie cities like Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, and St. Johns have lower rents. Combined with Albertas high household incomes and no provincial sales tax, Edmonton offers the best rent affordability of any major Canadian city.

Are Edmonton rents going up or down?

Edmonton rent growth slowed in 2025 as landlords faced declining occupancy and used incentives to absorb excess supply. CMHC reported that turnover rents saw only slight growth. Overall, Edmonton rents are stabilizing after two years of above-average increases driven by strong interprovincial migration.

Edmonton Rental Market Data 2026 | Average Rent & Vacancy Rates

Edmonton rental market data

Edmonton offers one of the most affordable rental markets among major Canadian cities. Combined with Alberta’s high household incomes and no provincial sales tax, Edmonton provides the best rent-to-income ratio among Canada’s largest metros.

The Edmonton CMA vacancy rate held at 3.4% in October 2025, while rent growth slowed as landlords used incentives to absorb new supply. For national trends, see the Canada rental market overview.

Data source: CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025), published December 2025. This is the most recent CMHC rental data available — the survey is conducted once per year every October. Next update expected December 2026.

Metric	October 2025	Year-over-year
Vacancy rate	3.4%	Unchanged
Average 2-bedroom rent	~$1,500	Slowed growth
Turnover 2-bedroom rent	Slight growth	Minimal increase

CMHC noted that rent growth in Edmonton “slowed as landlords faced declining occupancy and used incentives to absorb excess supply.” Strong rental construction completions — well above historical trends — added significant new inventory.

Average rent by bedroom type

Bedroom Type	Estimated Average
Studio	~$1,000
1 Bedroom	~$1,250
2 Bedroom	~$1,500
3 Bedroom+	~$1,700

Edmonton 2-bedroom rents (~$1,500) are roughly 27% cheaper than Toronto (~$2,046) and 29% cheaper than Vancouver (~$2,100). Even compared to Calgary (~$1,750), Edmonton offers a meaningful discount.

Vacancy rate trends

Edmonton has historically maintained moderate vacancy rates, influenced by energy sector cycles:

Edmonton CMA Vacancy Rate — Purpose-Built Rentals (2015–2025)

The vacancy rate bottomed at 2.4% in 2022–2023 during the post-pandemic recovery and interprovincial migration boom, then stabilized at 3.4% as new supply came online.

Rent affordability in Edmonton

Edmonton’s combination of low rents and high incomes creates exceptional affordability:

Bedroom Type	Monthly Rent (asking)	Annual Cost	Income Needed (30% rule)	Edmonton Median HHI
1 Bedroom	~$1,400	$16,800	$56,000	$127,600
2 Bedroom	~$1,700	$20,400	$68,000	$127,600

A household earning the median income in Edmonton ($127,600) can afford a 2-bedroom apartment while spending only about 16% of gross income on rent — half the 30% affordability threshold. This makes Edmonton one of the most comfortable rental markets in the country for typical households.

Use our rent affordability calculator for a personalized estimate.

Alberta rent rules

Like Calgary, Edmonton benefits from Alberta’s free-market rental approach:

No rent control — Landlords can raise rent by any amount
3 months notice required for periodic tenancies
Once per 12 months — Rent can only be increased annually
Market-responsive — Rents adjust freely to supply and demand

Key market drivers

Strong in-migration: Alberta’s population growth has supported rental demand, with many new residents arriving from Ontario and BC.

Above-trend construction: CMHC noted that Edmonton had rental completions well above historical trends, adding supply that kept the market balanced.

Landlord incentives: In a competitive market with new supply, landlords used incentives to attract tenants rather than raising rents.

Edmonton rental market outlook and tips

2026 outlook: Edmonton maintains one of the higher vacancy rates among major Canadian cities — typically 4–5% — providing renters with meaningful choice and negotiating power. Despite Alberta’’s lack of rent control, Edmonton’’s relatively balanced market has kept annual rent increases moderate compared to Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto.

Renting in Edmonton: practical tips:

University area (South Campus, Oliver, Garneau): Competitive demand near University of Alberta; secure 4–6 months in advance for August-September move-ins
LRT access: Edmonton’’s expanding LRT (Valley Line West opened 2023) has increased desirability of Whyte Avenue corridor and Lewis Farms
Downtown Edmonton: Affordable rents with improving amenities; ICE District and Rogers Place development have revitalized the core
Heating costs: Budget $150–$300/month for utilities in winter (November–March); ask whether heat is included in rent

Frequently asked questions

Is Edmonton a good city for renters in 2026? Yes — Edmonton offers some of the best rental affordability among major Canadian cities. With vacancy rates around 4–5%, rents well below Vancouver and Toronto, and good employment in government, health, energy, and tech, Edmonton is increasingly attractive for renters priced out of Ontario and BC markets. The tradeoff is a harsher climate and a less developed arts/culture scene compared to Montreal or Vancouver.

Edmonton neighbourhoods guide for renters

Neighbourhood	Avg 1BR	Character	Best for
Oliver	~$1,550	Walkable, bars/restaurants, LRT	Young professionals
Strathcona/Whyte Ave	~$1,500	Arts district, eclectic	Students, creatives
Glenora / Westmount	~$1,600	Quiet, established	Families, professionals
Garneau	~$1,400	Near U of A, vibrant	Students, researchers
Downtown	~$1,300	Developing, ICE District	Price-conscious renters
Mill Woods	~$1,200	Suburban, diverse	Families, affordable

Official CMHC apartment universe averages (6+ unit buildings)

For a quick, single-number cross-check, Statistics Canada also publishes CMHC’s blended average rent (all tenants combined) for apartment buildings of six units and over:

Unit Type	Average Rent (2025)	Y/Y Change
Bachelor	$1,108	+5.5%
1 Bedroom	$1,302	+5.2%
3 Bedroom+	$1,799	+5.1%
2 Bedroom	$1,603	+4.4%

Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada Table 34-10-0133, apartment structures of six units and over, 2025. This is a blended average across new and existing tenants, not a turnover-only rent.

Metric	2025	Prior Year
Vacancy rate (apartments, 6+ units)	3.9%	3.1%

Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada Table 34-10-0127, 2025.

Canada Rental Market Data — national vacancy rates and average rent
Calgary Rental Market — Alberta’s largest city
Edmonton Housing Market — home prices and market trends
Income in Edmonton — household income data
Average Rent in Canada — rent comparison by city

Sources

CMHC Rental Market Survey — Housing Market Information Portal
CMHC 2025 Rental Market Report — December 2025
Alberta Residential Tenancies Act — rent increase rules