How much is a 1 bedroom apartment in Hamilton?

The average rent for a 1 bedroom purpose-built apartment in Hamilton is approximately $1,350 per month (CMHC, October 2025). Asking rents on listing platforms average around $1,750. Hamilton rents have risen significantly over the past five years as spillover from Toronto increased demand.

What is the vacancy rate in Hamilton?

The Hamilton CMA vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments was approximately 3.0% in October 2025, up from tighter conditions in previous years. Increased supply and slightly slower demand growth helped loosen the market.

Is Hamilton cheaper than Toronto for rent?

Yes. Hamilton 2-bedroom asking rents (~$2,200) are roughly 30% cheaper than Toronto (~$3,100). Many renters have relocated from the GTA to Hamilton for more affordable housing while commuting via the GO Transit corridor. However, the gap has narrowed considerably over the past five years.

Does Hamilton have rent control?

Hamilton follows Ontario rent control rules. Buildings first occupied before November 15, 2018 are subject to the annual rent increase guideline (2.5% for 2025). Newer buildings are exempt from rent control but landlords must still give 90 days notice.

Hamilton Rental Market Data 2026 | Average Rent & Vacancy Rates

Hamilton rental market data

Hamilton has transformed from a quiet steel city into one of southern Ontario’s most in-demand rental markets, driven by spillover from Toronto’s high housing costs and improving transit connections via the GO corridor.

The Hamilton CMA vacancy rate eased to approximately 3.0% in October 2025, providing some relief to renters after several years of tight conditions. New rental construction — including purpose-built towers in the downtown core — contributed to the improvement.

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	~3.0%	Up modestly
Average 2-bedroom rent	~$1,600	Moderate growth
Market trend	Easing	More balanced

For national context, see the Canada rental market overview.

Average rent by bedroom type

Bedroom Type	Estimated Average (purpose-built)	Asking Rent (listings)
Studio	~$1,100	~$1,400
1 Bedroom	~$1,350	~$1,750
2 Bedroom	~$1,600	~$2,200
3 Bedroom+	~$1,850	~$2,500

Hamilton’s 2-bedroom purpose-built apartments (~$1,600) are about 22% cheaper than Toronto (~$2,046). However, Hamilton rents have grown faster than the national average over the past five years.

Vacancy rate trends

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

Hamilton’s vacancy rate tightened steadily through 2017–2019 as Toronto spillover demand intensified, then temporarily rose during the pandemic before tightening again and easing in 2025.

Rent affordability in Hamilton

Bedroom Type	Monthly Rent (asking)	Annual Cost	Income Needed (30% rule)	Hamilton Median HHI
1 Bedroom	~$1,750	$21,000	$70,000	~$95,000
2 Bedroom	~$2,200	$26,400	$88,000	~$95,000

With a median household income in Hamilton of approximately $95,000, a typical household spends about 28% of gross income on a 2-bedroom — just under the 30% affordability threshold. Hamilton is more affordable than Toronto but tighter than cities like Edmonton or Winnipeg.

Use our rent affordability calculator for a personalized estimate.

Ontario rent control rules (Hamilton)

Hamilton follows Ontario’s rent increase guidelines:

Year	Guideline
2020	2.2%
2021	0.0% (frozen)
2022	1.2%
2023	2.5%
2024	2.5%
2025	2.5%

Pre-November 2018 buildings are subject to the annual guideline
Post-November 2018 buildings are exempt from rent control
90 days notice required for any rent increase

Key market drivers

Toronto spillover: Hamilton’s rental market is heavily influenced by demand from renters priced out of the GTA. The GO Transit corridor makes Hamilton a viable commuter option for Toronto workers.

Downtown revitalization: New purpose-built rental towers in Hamilton’s downtown core have added supply while transforming the city centre into a more vibrant urban environment.

McMaster University: Student demand from McMaster and Mohawk College supports rental demand in the Westdale and central Hamilton neighbourhoods.

Healthcare employment: Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare are major employers, providing stable demand.

Hamilton rental market outlook and tips

2026 outlook: Hamilton’’s rental market has cooled from the extreme tightness of 2020–2022, when Toronto overflow demand drove double-digit rent increases. Vacancy rates have improved to approximately 2.5–3.5%. New purpose-built rental supply in the downtown core is adding options, and slower interprovincial migration has reduced demand pressure.

Renting in Hamilton: practical tips:

Go Transit to Toronto: Hamilton is one of the few cities in Southern Ontario where GO Transit provides a direct express service to Toronto Union Station (~55 minutes). Renters who commute to Toronto occasionally can save significantly vs Toronto rents
Downtown Hamilton: Significant revitalization with restaurants, arts venues, and new condo/rental developments; previously undervalued but improving rapidly
James Street North vs Mountain: The lower city (James North, Locke Street) commands premium pricing; Hamilton Mountain (upland plateau) is more affordable and suburban
Property tax note: Hamilton has one of the higher property tax rates in Ontario (~1.27%); this affects landlord costs and can drive above-average rent increases in years of assessment increases

Frequently asked questions

Are rents cheaper in Hamilton than Toronto? Yes — significantly. Average 1-bedroom rents in Hamilton ($1,500–$1,800) are 30–40% lower than Toronto ($2,200–$2,600). For renters willing to commute 45–60 minutes by GO Train or highway, Hamilton offers meaningful savings. The tradeoff is commute time and limited late-night transit options.

Hamilton rental market by neighbourhood

Neighbourhood	Avg 1BR	Transit	Character
Downtown Core	~$1,450	Bus	Revitalizing, arts scene
Locke Street	~$1,600	Bus	Trendy, restaurants, pubs
Westdale	~$1,500	Bus	Near McMaster U, student area
Hamilton Mountain	~$1,350	Bus	Suburban plateau, affordable
Stoney Creek	~$1,400	Go Bus	Lakefront, quieter, east end
Dundas	~$1,500	Bus	Historic village, charming

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	$1,104	-1%
1 Bedroom	$1,410	-0.7%
3 Bedroom+	$1,897	-1.9%
2 Bedroom	$1,656	+1%

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)	3.6%	2.4%

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

Canada Rental Market Data — national vacancy rates and average rent
Toronto Rental Market — the GTA market Hamilton competes with
Hamilton Housing Market — home prices and market trends
Income in Hamilton — 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
Ontario Rent Increase Guideline — 2025 guideline