Edmonton Rent Report, July 2026

Edmonton remained one of Canada's more affordable big-city rental markets through July 2026. The average asking rent across all property types was $1,509 per month, according to the Rentals.ca and Urbanation National Rent Report for July 2026. That sits far below the national average asking rent of $2,037, which was itself down 4.0% year-over-year in its 22nd consecutive month of annual declines.

Edmonton has historically been more affordable and more stable than Calgary, its larger neighbour to the south. Renters here generally get more space or a better location for the same budget, and the market tends to move in smaller swings than the sharper booms and corrections seen in Calgary.

On the purpose-built side, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recorded an overall apartment vacancy rate of 3.8% in October 2025. A vacancy rate in that range points to a broadly balanced market, with enough available units to give tenants real choice without the extreme tightness seen in some other Canadian cities.

The table below shows CMHC's in-place averages for Edmonton's existing purpose-built rental stock as of October 2025. All Edmonton per-bedroom cells carry CMHC's highest reliability rating.

• Studio (CMHC, Oct 2025): $1,108 / month
• 1 Bedroom (CMHC, Oct 2025): $1,301 / month
• 2 Bedroom (CMHC, Oct 2025): $1,598 / month
• 3 Bedroom+ (CMHC, Oct 2025): $1,802 / month
• All apartments (CMHC, Oct 2025): $1,493 / month

The all-property-types average asking rent of $1,509 reported by Rentals.ca for July 2026 sits close to CMHC's $1,493 overall purpose-built average. Asking rents capture new-listing prices across all rental types, while CMHC's data reflects the broader purpose-built stock including existing tenancies. Both point to an Edmonton market that stays well below the national average.

Central and university-adjacent neighbourhoods continue to command Edmonton's higher rents, while established suburban and outer communities offer the best value per bedroom. Walkable, amenity-rich areas near transit and the river valley have historically drawn strong demand from students, young professionals and downtown workers.

Higher-priced and high-demand areas

• Downtown and Oliver (now Wîhkwêntôwin), the walkable core and office district
• Whyte Avenue / Old Strathcona, the city's lively entertainment and dining strip
• Garneau, university-adjacent and popular with students and faculty
• Windermere and the newer south-side suburbs, modern master-planned communities

Best-value areas

• Mill Woods, an established southeast community that typically lists below the core
• Clareview and the northeast, value-oriented neighbourhoods with transit access

Neighbourhood-level rent averages fluctuate month to month based on listing mix. For current rents by area, see the CMHC Edmonton rent tables which are updated on CMHC's schedule.

Edmonton's purpose-built rental market sat in broadly balanced territory as of CMHC's October 2025 survey, with an overall vacancy rate of 3.8%. A rate in that range gives tenants a reasonable selection of units without the pressure of an extremely tight market.

Vacancy by unit type (CMHC, October 2025)

• Studio: 3.5%
• 1 bedroom: 4.0%
• 2 bedroom: 3.8%
• 3 bedroom or more: 3.5%
• Overall: 3.8%

Vacancy is fairly even across unit types in Edmonton, a sign of a market in balance rather than one skewed toward a shortage or a glut in any single segment. That steadiness is consistent with Edmonton's long-standing reputation as a more stable rental market than Calgary.

The near-term outlook for Edmonton points to continued affordability and stability. With an average asking rent of $1,509, the city remains far below the national average of $2,037, and national asking rents have now declined year-over-year for 22 straight months. Edmonton's smaller, steadier swings mean tenants and landlords alike can plan with fewer surprises than in faster-moving markets.

Because Alberta has no rent control, there is no cap on how much rent can rise between tenancies. That makes a clear, written lease and a documented move-in inspection important on both sides. A written inspection under Alberta's Residential Tenancies Act is the best protection for a tenant's deposit and a landlord's ability to claim for genuine damage.

What this means for renters

• Edmonton stretches a housing budget further than most large Canadian cities
• A roughly balanced 3.8% vacancy rate gives real choice across neighbourhoods
• Best value continues to sit in established areas like Mill Woods and the northeast
• Insist on a written move-in inspection to protect your deposit

What this means for landlords

• Realistic pricing matters, Edmonton renters compare across a wide, affordable market
• Quality photos and detailed listings win the competition for eyeballs
• Renewals are cheaper than turnover, offer existing tenants a fair renewal rate
• A written move-in inspection under the Alberta RTA is your best defence in a deposit dispute

SQRFT's August 2026 report will publish on the last business day of August.