Ontario city is suddenly one of the most in-demand places for renters in Canada

An Ontario city is skyrocketing in popularity among renters looking for more affordable prices, and you guessed it — it's obviously not Toronto. 

According to RentCafe.com's latest Renter Interest Report, Hamilton, Ont., recorded the biggest jump this quarter among apartment hunters. The data shows that favourited listings have more than tripled in the city (up 207 per cent), representing the highest increase in the country. 

Overall, Hamilton jumped the national ranking by 10 positions to claim the #2 spot on the list for the top 10 cities for renter interest in Q4 2025. 

To find Canada's top-trending rental markets, RentCafe analyzed four key indicators in cities across the country, including available listings, listing views, apartments saved as favourites, and saved personalized searches. The study found that in Hamilton, page views grew 13 per cent and saved searches increased by 72 per cent. 

"This surge reflects sustained spillover demand from the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area (GTHA) as renters priced out of Toronto and surrounding suburbs increasingly turn to Hamilton for more attainable options," the report reads. 

"Supported by improved transit connectivity, stable employment anchors, and a persistent affordability gap relative to the GTHA core, Hamilton remains a top alternative market where renters are prepared to act quickly amid tight supply," the study continues, noting that most interested renters in the city come from Toronto, Burlington, Mississauga, and, of course, Hamilton itself. 

Source: RentCafe.com.

Kitchener also recorded impressive gains this quarter, climbing nine positions in the national ranking to #13. The study found that favourited listings in the city increased 158 per cent year-over-year, and saved searches jumped by 62 per cent. 

Despite its notably higher rent prices, Toronto still managed to claim the #12 spot nationally. Still, page views dropped 43 per cent year-over-year, favourited listings decreased by 24 per cent, and saved searches plummeted by 27 per cent. 

These were Canada's top 10 cities for renter interest in Q4 2025, according to the study: 

1. Moncton, N.B.
2. Hamilton, ON
3. Halifax, N.S.
4. Saskatoon, SK
5. Regina, SK
6. Victoria, B.C.
7. Vancouver, B.C.
8. Winnipeg, MB
9. Ottawa, ON
10. Edmonton, AB