The average cost of renting an apartment increased in Ottawa in March, as rental rates increased across the country.
A new report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation shows the average asking rent in Canada increased 1.5 per cent in March to $2,119, the first month-over-month rise since September 2024.
The average rent in Ottawa was $2,219 last month, up from $2,214 in February.
The report shows the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Ottawa was $2,024 in March, down from $2,030 in February.
Rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $2,599 in Ottawa in March, up from $2,553 in February.
The report notes Ottawa and Edmonton were the only major Canadian cities to see a rent increase in March.
Rentals.ca and Urbanation tell CTV News Ottawa average rents are down 2.8 per cent annually in the capital.
Vancouver continues to have the highest rental rates for all apartments and condominiums in Canada at $2,822 a month, followed by Toronto at $2,589 and Mississauga at $2,500.
“Rents in Canada saw an uptick between February and March as renters became more active, likely drawn into the market by the recent improvement in affordability,” Shaun Hildebrand, President of Urbanation, said in a statement. “However, rents are likely to continue facing downward pressure in the near-term due to the expected negative economic impact and job losses caused by the trade conflict with the U.S.”
Kanata rents
Rents in Kanata continue to remain the most expensive in Ontario outside of the Greater Toronto Area, but prices dropped $80 last month.
The report shows the average rent for a purpose-built or condo unit was $2,564 in March, down from $2,646 in February.
Rentals.ca and Urbanation provides separate rental rate averages for Kanata and Ottawa.
