![\"rent-gs0213t\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/407030f8f6a585ddab92a7286c4b6413.jpeg\")
Canadians are turning to smaller cities in the search for more affordable rent. (Credit: Getty Images) <\/p>\n Canadians are turning to smaller cities in the search for more affordable rent. (Credit: Getty Images) <\/p>\n
Renters<\/a> are looking for housing beyond Canada\u2019s largest urban centres, with early-2026 data pointing to a widening geographic search area shaped largely by affordability and shifting supply.<\/p>\n New figures from RentCafe, a rental listings and apartment search platform, have Moncton, N.B., topping the national rankings for renter-interest, followed by Halifax, Saskatoon and Regina. Only three major markets (Vancouver, Ottawa and Edmonton) appear in the top 10, highlighting growing momentum in smaller Atlantic and Prairie cities.<\/p>\n The shift toward smaller markets comes as affordability pressures persist in Canada\u2019s largest and most expensive cities, according to RentCafe\u2019s analysis. Florin Petrut, author of the platform\u2019s Renter Interest Report, said cost differences between markets remain a key driver.<\/p>\n \u201cRent prices in smaller cities like Moncton or Regina tend to be lower than what you\u2019d typically pay in Toronto<\/a> or Vancouver, and that gap is driving a lot of movement,\u201d Petrut said.<\/p>\n RentCafe\u2019s data suggests renters are increasingly willing to look beyond traditional hubs in search of better value. Page views for Moncton rose 34 per cent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, with much of that traffic coming from prospective renters in Toronto and Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n Mid-sized Ontario cities also had notable gains in renter engagement metrics, including favourited listings, according to RentCafe\u2019s data. Hamilton and Kitchener recorded the fastest rises in the national rankings, climbing 10 and nine spots, respectively. Engagement rose sharply in those markets, with favourited listings more than tripling in Hamilton and rising 160 per cent in Kitchener \u2014 increases RentCafe said were uncommon.<\/p>\n \u201cRenters are being far more intentional in their searches,\u201d Petrut said, noting that only five of the 25 cities included in the report had an increase in favourited listings.<\/p>\n Calgary followed a different pattern. After ranking among Canada\u2019s most competitive rental markets in recent years, the city dropped six spots to 15th place. Petrut attributed the drop to a wave of new purpose-built rental supply coming online in the city rather than a pullback in demand.<\/p>\n \u201cWith more apartments available, renters faced less pressure to act quickly,\u201d he said, adding that greater choice typically translates into fewer repeat visits, saved searches and favourited listings. \u201cIt\u2019s not necessarily weaker demand, but a more relaxed search pace.\u201d<\/p>\n