Renting in the GTA in 2026: average rent by city, and how to land the right place
One-bedroom and two-bedroom rents in 13 GTA cities, what is changing this winter, and the application that gets you picked.
By Inderpal Sidhu · Updated November 2026 · 7 min read
Quick answer
What is the average rent in the GTA in 2026?
A one-bedroom condo in the GTA leased for about $2,273 and a two-bedroom for about $3,013 on average in Q2 2026 (TRREB). Toronto is the most expensive at $2,316 for a one-bedroom; Durham (about $1,900 to $1,950) and Brampton ($2,052) are the most affordable.
Updated November 2026 · Inderpal Sidhu, Salesperson, HomeLife Silvercity Realty Inc., Brokerage
Renting in the GTA got a little easier in 2025 and most of 2026. That window is starting to close. Here are the real numbers by city, what each kind of rental costs, and how to get your application picked.
What is happening to rents right now
- Across Canada, average asking rent was $2,036 in October 2026, down 3.2% from a year earlier, the 25th straight yearly drop.
- In Toronto, asking rents rose 1.6% year over year in October, ending almost three years of declines. Urbanation says the window for cheaper rents is closing as new supply dries up.
- Leasing is busy: 21,251 GTA condos were leased through TRREB in Q2 2026, up 4.2% from a year earlier.
Average condo rent by city (TRREB, Q2 2026)
| City | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $2,316 | $3,154 |
| Richmond Hill | $2,310 | $2,910 |
| Markham | $2,214 | $2,840 |
| Mississauga | $2,189 | $2,713 |
| Oakville | $2,178 | $2,923 |
| Newmarket | $2,168 | $2,829 |
| Burlington | $2,159 | $2,785 |
| Vaughan | $2,130 | $2,666 |
| Milton | $2,071 | $2,576 |
| Brampton | $2,052 | $2,408 |
| Pickering | $1,946 | $2,574 |
| Oshawa | $1,918 | $2,277 |
| Ajax | $1,913 | $2,574 |
| GTA average | $2,273 | $3,013 |
These are average leased rents for condo apartments listed on the MLS. Basement apartments usually rent for less, and whole houses for more. Small cities with few leases (Whitby, Aurora, Ajax) can swing a lot quarter to quarter.
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Region guides: Renting in Toronto · Renting in York Region · Renting in Peel Region · Renting in Halton Region · Renting in Durham Region
Basement, condo, townhouse or house?
- Basement apartment: usually the cheapest way into a good neighbourhood. Check that it is a registered second unit, has a proper exit and smoke and CO alarms. See my basement rental guide.
- Condo: amenities and building management, but you pay for parking and sometimes utilities. Condo townhouses with three bedrooms average about $3,300 in Markham and Vaughan and $3,575 in Toronto.
- Townhouse or whole house: space and a yard for families. Expect to pay utilities and handle snow and lawn unless the lease says otherwise.
How to win a rental in a competitive building
- Have your package ready before you view: photo ID, employment letter, 2 recent pay stubs, a full credit report and a landlord reference.
- Self-employed or new to Canada? Add bank statements, your notice of assessment or a guarantor.
- Write a short cover note: who will live there, your job, how long you want to stay.
- Move fast. Good units often get offers within 48 hours.
- Do not send ID or banking details to anyone before you have seen the unit and confirmed who the landlord is. Rental scams are common.
Your rights as a tenant in Ontario
- Most private landlords must use Ontario's standard lease.
- For 2027, most rents can rise by no more than 1.9%, once every 12 months, with 90 days' written notice. Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the cap.
- A rent deposit cannot be used as a damage deposit, and "no pets" clauses in a lease are void.
- Only the Landlord and Tenant Board can order an eviction.
Paying close to $3,000 a month? See whether that money would carry a home of your own: rent vs buy in the GTA.
Want help finding a rental, or a tenant for yours?
Start hereFAQ
What is the average rent in Toronto in 2026?
A one-bedroom condo leased for about $2,316 and a two-bedroom for about $3,154 on average in Q2 2026 (TRREB).
What is the cheapest place to rent in the GTA?
Among cities with enough leases to measure, Durham Region (Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering) and Brampton had the lowest average condo rents in Q2 2026, roughly $1,900 to $2,050 for a one-bedroom.
How much can my rent go up in 2027?
1.9% for most units in Ontario. Units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline.
Are GTA rents going up or down?
Nationally they are still falling, but Toronto asking rents rose 1.6% year over year in October 2026, the first increase in almost three years.
Questions? Call, text or WhatsApp me. I answer personally.
Call or text 647-338-6875Sources
TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026
Canadian Press via CHCH: asking rents, October 2026
Ontario: residential rent increases (2027 guideline)
Ontario: guide to the standard lease
General information only, not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Rules and rates change; confirm with a real estate lawyer, mortgage professional and the CRA before you act. Inderpal Sidhu, Salesperson, HomeLife Silvercity Realty Inc., Brokerage.