Toronto vs Ottawa: Rent Comparison
The gap looks very different depending on whether you compare new listings or the average existing tenant.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer
Toronto is more expensive than Ottawa by both measures, but by very different margins. Using Rentals.ca's August 2026 asking rents for apartments and condos, Toronto's average ($2,570) is $402/month, or about 19%, higher than Ottawa's ($2,168). Using CMHC's October 2025 stock-wide survey instead, the gap is much smaller: Toronto's average 2-bedroom rent ($2,034) is only $108/month, or about 5.6%, higher than Ottawa's ($1,926).
Why the gap looks so different depending on the source
The asking-rent comparison (Rentals.ca) reflects what a new tenant would pay signing a lease today in each city -- and Toronto's new-listing market commands a substantially higher premium over Ottawa's. The stock-wide comparison (CMHC) averages in every existing tenancy, including long-tenured, rent-controlled units in both cities, which narrows the apparent gap considerably. In practice, this means Toronto's premium over Ottawa is much larger for someone renting for the first time than the citywide averages might suggest.
Side-by-side: Toronto vs Ottawa
- Apartment and condo asking rent, all sizes (Rentals.ca, Aug 2026): Toronto $2,570 vs Ottawa $2,168
- 2-bedroom stock-wide rent (CMHC, Oct 2025 survey): Toronto $2,034 vs Ottawa $1,926
- Purpose-built vacancy rate (CMHC, Oct 2025 survey): Toronto 3.0% vs Ottawa 3.0%
- Year-over-year change in asking rent (Rentals.ca, Aug 2026): Toronto down 1.4% vs Ottawa down 1.6% -- both among the most rent-stable major Canadian markets, alongside Montreal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toronto more expensive than Ottawa to rent?
Yes, by both major data sources, though the size of the gap depends on the measure. New-listing asking rents for apartments and condos show Toronto about 19% higher than Ottawa (August 2026). Stock-wide averages (which include long-tenured tenants) show a much narrower gap of about 5.6%.
Which city has a more stable rental market, Toronto or Ottawa?
Both were named among Canada's most rent-stable major markets in Rentals.ca's August 2026 report, with Toronto down 1.4% and Ottawa down 1.6% year-over-year -- far smaller declines than Calgary (down 4.5%) or Vancouver and Edmonton (down 4.1% each).
Sources
Compare Listings in Toronto and Ottawa
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