TORONTO, ON - December 18, 2025 - A new Winter 2025 Renter Feedback Survey from Rentals.ca reveals that affordability pressures persist across Canada’s rental market. Based on responses from 503 renters nationwide, the survey highlights how rising rents, persistent rent increases, and mismatched budgets continue to shape renter behaviour across markets and age groups.
More than six in ten renters (62%) say over 30% of their net income goes toward rent, while one-third report spending more than half of their income on housing. In Toronto, affordability pressures are even more pronounced, with 70% of renters reporting that more than 30% of their income goes toward rent, compared with 60% in other markets.
Ongoing rent increases are compounding affordability pressures. Nearly two-thirds of renters (63%) report their rent has increased since the summer, adding strain for renters already dedicating a large share of their income to housing.
High rent prices dominated the rental search experience for respondents. When asked about their biggest challenge, 69% of renters cited high rent prices, far surpassing concerns about supply, listing quality, or scams. This pattern appears consistently across regions, reinforcing that affordability challenges are national in scope.
The survey also highlights how affordability pressures differ by age. Among renters aged 25 to 34, 43% report spending more than half of their net income on rent, while 37% of renters aged 35 to 54 report a similar level of strain, underscoring that affordability challenges extend well beyond younger renters.
Budget constraints further illustrate the gap between renter expectations and market realities. Seven in ten renters say their budget for their next rental is under $2,000, even as asking rents in many markets remain above that level. Renters targeting more expensive cities such as Toronto and Vancouver report higher budget expectations than those searching in other markets, reflecting the limited availability of lower-priced rental options.
For a complete breakdown of the Winter 2025 Renter Feedback Survey, visit here, or reach out to media@rentals.ca.
The survey is based on responses from 503 renters across Canada and has a margin of error of ±4.4% at a 95% confidence level. Percentages are calculated based on valid responses to each question.