Edmonton Economy · CMHC Rental Market Survey
Edmonton rents & vacancy
Edmonton's purpose-built apartment vacancy rate is 3.9% as of October 2025, and a typical two-bedroom rents for about $1,603 a month — +4.4% from a year ago. That's roughly 32% below Vancouver, keeping Edmonton among the most affordable major rental markets in Canada.
Apartment vacancy
3.9%
October 2025 · +0.8 pts vs a year ago
2-bedroom rent
$1,603
+4.4% vs a year ago
1-bedroom rent
$1,302
average, per month
3-bedroom + rent
$1,799
average, per month
vs all Canadian metros
3.3%
national apartment vacancy
vs Vancouver
−32%
cheaper for a 2-bedroom
What these numbers mean
The vacancy rate is the share of purpose-built rental apartments sitting empty and available — the clearest read on the balance between renter demand and rental supply. Below roughly 3% is generally considered a tight market (landlords hold pricing power, rents climb); higher vacancy means more choice for tenants and slower rent growth. Average rent is what tenants actually pay across occupied and available units — a market backdrop, not a quote for any specific suite, and not adjusted for inflation.
Rent by apartment size
Average monthly rent for purpose-built apartments across the Edmonton CMA, October 2025, by bedroom count.
Vacancy over time
Edmonton's apartment vacancy rate against the average across all Canadian metros, one reading per October. A falling line is a tightening market (rents rising); a rising line is a softening one.
Rent over time
Average two-bedroom rent in the Edmonton CMA, year by year — about +26% since 2020. Not adjusted for inflation.
The numbers behind the charts
Edmonton CMA apartment vacancy rate and average two-bedroom rent, by survey year (October reference).
| Year | Vacancy | 2-bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (latest) | 3.9% | $1,603 |
| 2024 | 3.1% | $1,536 |
| 2023 | 2.4% | $1,398 |
| 2022 | 4.3% | $1,305 |
| 2021 | 7.3% | $1,271 |
| 2020 | 7.2% | $1,273 |
| 2019 | 4.9% | $1,258 |
| 2018 | 5.3% | $1,247 |
| 2017 | 7% | $1,215 |
| 2016 | 7.1% | $1,230 |
| 2015 | 4.2% | $1,260 |
| 2014 | 1.7% | $1,228 |
| 2013 | 1.4% | $1,141 |
| 2012 | 1.6% | $1,072 |
| 2011 | 3.3% | $1,034 |
| 2010 | 4.2% | $1,015 |
How Edmonton compares to other big cities
Average two-bedroom apartment rent across Canada's largest metros, October 2025, most affordable first. Vacancy is shown alongside each — together they're the renter's-eye view of the market.
Edmonton rents & vacancy — FAQ
What is the rental vacancy rate in Edmonton?
As of the October 2025 survey, the vacancy rate for purpose-built apartments in the Edmonton CMA was 3.9% — compared with 3.3% across all Canadian metros. A higher vacancy rate means more available units and softer rents for tenants; a lower rate signals tight demand and upward pressure on rent.
How much is rent in Edmonton?
In October 2025, average monthly rents for purpose-built apartments in the Edmonton CMA were $1,108 for a bachelor, $1,302 for a one-bedroom, $1,603 for a two-bedroom and $1,799 for three or more bedrooms.
Is rent cheaper in Edmonton than Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver?
Yes. A typical two-bedroom apartment in Edmonton rents for $1,603, versus $1,936 in Calgary, $2,056 in Toronto, $2,367 in Vancouver — roughly 32% less than Vancouver.
Has rent gone up in Edmonton?
Two-bedroom rent rose +4.4% over the past year, and about +26% since 2020 ($1,273 → $1,603). Rents are not adjusted for inflation.
Is Edmonton a good rental market for investors?
The data shows steady demand: vacancy at 3.9% (near the 3.3% national-metro average), two-bedroom rent up +4.4%, and rents well below comparable cities — which tends to track Edmonton's lower entry prices. These figures describe the market, not any one property; whether a specific address actually cash-flows is a property-level question.
Does this include rented condos, basement suites or suited homes?
No — these figures cover purpose-built rental apartments (buildings of six or more units), so they best reflect the larger multi-family market. Rented condominiums and secondary suites — basement suites, suited homes, rented houses — are a distinct market that CMHC surveys separately. We cover that secondary market, rented condos especially, on the companion Edmonton condo & suite rentals page.
Where does this data come from and how current is it?
From CMHC's Rental Market Survey, conducted each October and published by Statistics Canada. The latest is October 2025, released December 17, 2025. Figures are for purpose-built rental apartments (structures of six or more units); condos and basement suites are surveyed separately.
About this data
These figures come from CMHC's Rental Market Survey — the national survey behind Canada's official vacancy and rent numbers — conducted each October and re-published by Statistics Canada. They cover purpose-built rental apartments (buildings of six or more units); rented condominiums and basement suites are surveyed separately and aren't included here — see the companion Edmonton condo & suite rentals page for that secondary market. "Average rent" reflects what's actually being paid across the market and isn't adjusted for inflation or differences in unit size and quality. New results land once a year, usually in December; the latest here is October 2025, released December 17, 2025. A per-neighbourhood breakdown (CMHC's 19 Edmonton survey zones) is published only in CMHC's portal and is a planned addition to this page.
Sources & licence
- Adapted from Statistics Canada, Tables 34-10-0127-01 and 34-10-0133-01 (source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), October 2025. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
- Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Figures are CMHC Rental Market Survey results for purpose-built rental apartments (structures of six or more units), Edmonton CMA, re-hosted by Statistics Canada (vacancy: table 34-10-0127-01; average rent: 34-10-0133-01). The survey is conducted each October; the latest reference period is October 2025, released December 17, 2025. "Average rent" is the rent of occupied and vacant units offered, not adjusted for inflation or unit quality. Per-neighbourhood (sub-metro) detail is published only in CMHC's portal and is a planned addition.
Content on this site does not constitute financial or investment advice. Trevor Tardif is a licensed REALTOR® with REAL Broker AB Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta.
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