Calgary Rental Market in 2026: Vacancy Rates, Prices & Best Areas for Renters

Calgary's rental market has shifted dramatically. After two years of record-tight supply and double-digit rent increases, vacancy rates have tripled, rents are declining for the first time since the pandemic, and renters have more negotiating power than they have had in years. Here is what the latest CMHC Rental Market Survey data says about renting in Calgary in 2026 — and how the market affects your moving plans.

Calgary Vacancy Rates: The Trend

According to CMHC's Rental Market Survey data (October of each year):

• 2022:

  2.7% vacancy rate — falling fast as pandemic-era supply ran out.

• 2023:

  1.4% — the tightest market in over a decade. Renters had almost no leverage, and bidding wars for rentals were common.

• 2024:

  4.6% — a massive jump. Calgary posted the largest vacancy increase of any major Canadian city, rising 3.2 percentage points in a single year.

• 2025:

  4.9% — continued easing. Purpose-built rental supply grew 11% in 2025, the fastest pace in decades.

• 2026 (projected):

  Approaching 6%. CMHC projects continued increases as thousands of new rental units enter the market. A balanced market is generally considered 3–5%.

By bedroom type (October 2025), studios have the highest vacancy at 6.0%, followed by 2-bedrooms at 5.6%, 1-bedrooms at 4.3%, and 3-bedrooms+ at 3.8%. Larger units remain tighter because fewer are being built in the current construction wave.

What this means for renters: You have more options than at any point since 2021. You can take time to find the right place, negotiate on rent, and choose a move date that works for your schedule rather than scrambling to lock something down.

Why the Market Shifted

Three forces reshaped Calgary's rental market in 2024–2025:

1. A construction boom. Calgary delivered nearly 7,000 purpose-built rental units in 2024 alone — 165% above the historical average, according to CMHC. The rental universe in Calgary grew to 67,980 units tracked by CMHC by October 2025, an 11% increase from the prior year. In the first half of 2025, 68% of all apartment starts in Calgary were purpose-built rentals — compared to a 10-year average of 45%.

2. Population growth evolved. Alberta surpassed 5 million residents in May 2025 and was the only province still growing in Q3 2025 while Canada's overall population declined. However, the federal cap on study permits — which cut international student arrivals by nearly 60% — removed a key source of rental demand. Meanwhile, interprovincial migration continues: Alberta has led Canada in net interprovincial migration for three consecutive years, drawing over 56,000 net migrants from other provinces in 2022/23 alone, many seeking affordability compared to Ontario and BC.

3. Rents corrected. After increases of 14.3% (2023) and 8.9% (2024), Calgary posted its first rent declines since the pandemic in early 2025. Two-bedroom advertised rents fell 7.2% year-over-year in January 2025, and CMHC reported advertised rents declined 2–8% across unit types in Q1 2025.

If you are moving to Calgary from another province, our newcomer guide covers everything from registration to finding a neighbourhood.

Average Rents by Unit Type (October 2025)

Based on CMHC survey data for purpose-built rentals in the Calgary CMA:

• Bachelor/Studio:

  $1,438/month

• 1-Bedroom:

  $1,581/month

• 2-Bedroom:

  $1,908/month

• 3-Bedroom+:

  $2,118/month

• All units average:

  $1,775/month

These are averages for the Calgary CMA. Inner-city neighbourhoods (Beltline, Kensington, Bridgeland) typically run 15–20% higher than suburban areas. Purpose-built rental buildings tend to be more expensive than older stock but often include amenities and newer finishes.

How do these rents affect your moving budget? Our Calgary moving cost guide breaks down what to expect for a local move by home size.

Rents by CMHC Zone

CMHC divides Calgary into 10 survey zones. Here are the key zones renters should know (October 2025 data):

• Beltline/Lower Mount Royal:

  13,289 units | 5.6% vacancy | $1,774 avg rent — Calgary's largest rental zone. Dense, walkable (Walk Score 91), and popular with young professionals.

• Downtown:

  7,891 units | 5.8% vacancy | $1,782 avg rent — office-to-residential conversions are adding new supply through the city's Downtown Development Incentive Program.

• Northwest:

  11,557 units | 6.0% vacancy (highest) | $1,810 avg rent — large volume of new purpose-built supply driving vacancy up.

• Southwest:

  7,595 units | 3.6% vacancy (lowest) | $1,897 avg rent (highest) — established, family-friendly neighbourhoods with limited new construction.

• Southeast:

  5,270 units | 2.9% vacancy | $1,755 avg rent — new suburban communities (Cranston, Auburn Bay, McKenzie Towne) with growing inventory.

• Northeast:

  5,045 units | 4.5% vacancy | $1,758 avg rent — the most affordable quadrant on a per-listing basis, with 1-bedroom rents down 18% year-over-year in some areas.

Best Neighbourhoods for Renters in 2026

Best for Affordability

• Forest Lawn / International Avenue: Calgary's most affordable inner-city rental area, where 68% of housing is rental (City of Calgary 2021 census). Diverse, multicultural, with excellent international grocery stores and restaurants. Walk Score: 69. Transit access via 17 Avenue SE bus routes.

• Northeast communities (Falconridge, Martindale, Taradale): Family-sized apartments and townhomes at below-average rents — NE 1-bedroom averages around $1,391/month, making it the only quadrant where rents have dipped below $1,500. Good bus connections to CTrain stations.

• Dover / Erin Woods: Southeast communities with lower rents and improving transit. Close to Deerfoot Trail for drivers.

Best for Walkability & Transit

• Beltline: Calgary's most walkable neighbourhood (Walk Score: 91). Highest density of rentals, restaurants, and nightlife. Walk to downtown in 10 minutes. Trade-off: priciest rents and hardest to move in/out (tight parking, elevator booking required). See our condo moving guide.

• Kensington / Sunnyside: Village vibe with shops, cafes, and Sunnyside CTrain station (Walk Score: 75). Mid-range rents. A mix of character homes and newer condos.

• Bridgeland / Riverside: Rapidly developing with new rental buildings (Walk Score: 67). Close to downtown via the Bridgeland CTrain station. River pathways and restaurants.

Best for Families

• Cranston / Auburn Bay: Private lakes, new schools, extensive pathways. Townhome and apartment rentals available in newer buildings. Trade-off: low Walk Score (27) — you will need a car.

• Tuscany / Rocky Ridge: Low crime, CTrain access, mountain proximity (Walk Score: 23). Rental houses and basement suites available. See our safest neighbourhoods guide.

• McKenzie Towne: Master-planned community with a village centre, schools, and family programming (Walk Score: 46 — the highest-scoring suburb in this group). Rental townhomes are popular.

For more on Calgary's fastest-growing suburbs, see our fastest-growing communities guide. Interested in green living? Check out our greenest neighbourhoods guide.

Alberta Renter Protections You Should Know

Alberta is one of the few provinces without rent control — there is no cap on how much a landlord can increase rent. However, the Residential Tenancies Act does provide important protections:

• Notice period:

  Landlords must give at least 3 full months' written notice before raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy.

• Frequency:

  Rent can only be increased once every 12 months. No increases are allowed during a fixed-term lease.

• Security deposit cap:

  The total of all refundable deposits (damage, pet, key)

  cannot exceed one month's rent

  . As of January 1, 2026, the

  interest rate on deposits is 0%

  .

• Deposit return:

  After move-out, landlords have 10 days to provide a statement of deductions and must return the balance within 30 days.

• Inspection reports required:

  Landlords cannot deduct for damage unless both a move-in and move-out inspection were completed. Always insist on the inspection.

• Pet deposits:

  Allowed, but count toward the one-month cap. Non-refundable pet fees are separate and permitted. No fees can be charged for service animals.

• Ending your tenancy:

  Tenants give 1 month's notice to end a month-to-month lease (no reason needed). Landlords must give 3 months' notice and can only end a periodic tenancy for specific reasons (personal use, sale, demolition, major renovation).

In a rising-vacancy market, the lack of rent control actually works in renters' favour: landlords are lowering asking rents and offering incentives to fill units. When the market is this soft, competition between landlords does what rent control would do.

Major Rental Management Companies

Calgary's rental market is dominated by a few large property managers. Knowing their moving rules in advance saves headaches:

• Boardwalk:

  Calgary's largest residential landlord. Strict moving hour rules (typically after 6 PM weekdays, anytime weekends). Certificate of Insurance (COI) required from your movers. Our crews carry COI for all major Boardwalk properties.

• Minto:

  Newer purpose-built buildings with amenities. Professional management with clear moving policies.

• Avenue Living:

  Workforce housing focused. More affordable units across multiple Calgary neighbourhoods.

• Mainstreet Equity:

  Mid-market apartments. Requires tenant insurance before move-in. Offers inter-property transfers.

Before signing a lease, ask about moving rules — elevator booking, permitted hours, damage deposits, COI requirements, and truck parking. Our condo and apartment moving rules guide covers what to expect.

Utility Costs for Calgary Renters

If utilities are not included in your rent, budget for:

• Electricity (Enmax):

  The

  Rate of Last Resort

  is

  12.06¢/kWh

  , fixed through December 31, 2026. Distribution and transmission fees are added on top. Expect $75–$120/month for a typical apartment.

• Natural gas (ATCO):

  Rates fluctuate monthly — ranging from $1.78/GJ in summer to $3.39/GJ in winter (2025 rates). Expect $80–$150/month depending on season.

• Water/wastewater:

  The City of Calgary charges

  $1.74/m³

  for water treatment plus $1.91/m³ for wastewater. A typical household pays about

  $119/month

  in 2026.

Total estimate: Budget $270–$390/month for utilities in a typical Calgary apartment. Many condo and apartment buildings include heat, hot water, or water in the rent — confirm with your landlord before budgeting.

Our utilities setup guide walks you through Enmax, ATCO, City of Calgary water, internet, and everything else you need to connect after your move.

Renter's Insurance

Renter's insurance is not legally required in Alberta, but many landlords require proof of insurance as a condition of the lease. A basic policy covering $25,000 in contents plus liability costs $20–$40/month. It covers personal property (theft, fire, water damage), personal liability, and additional living expenses if your unit becomes uninhabitable.

Your landlord's building insurance does not cover your belongings or personal liability. Shop around — brokers like Sharp Insurance, APOLLO, and TD Insurance all offer Calgary renter policies.

When to Apartment Hunt (and When to Move)

Best deals: December through February. This is the slowest period for rental turnover. Landlords facing winter vacancies may offer reduced rent, a free month, lower deposits, or included parking.

Most selection: April through September — peak moving season with the most listings, but also the most competition and slightly higher rents.

Sweet spot: Late February through March offers decent selection with less competition. Start looking 30–45 days before your target move date to give yourself time to find a place, sign a lease, give notice at your current address, and book movers.

Timing your move matters for your wallet too. Midweek moves (Tuesday through Thursday) are significantly easier to schedule and often less expensive. Our best and worst times to move guide breaks down pricing by month, day of week, and time of day.

Moving during a Calgary winter? It is more common than you think — and chinooks can turn a frozen day into a spring-like afternoon. Read our winter moving guide for tips on navigating cold-weather logistics.

Tips for Apartment Hunting While Planning a Move

• Ask about moving rules before signing. Elevator booking procedures, moving hours, damage deposits, COI requirements, and parking for trucks. Surprises on move day are expensive. See our condo moving rules guide.

• Confirm parking for a moving truck. Some buildings have no loading zone. If street parking is your only option, you will need a street use parking permit from the City of Calgary.

• Get renter's insurance before move-in. Many buildings require proof on day one. Basic policies start at $20–$40/month — shop around before your move.

• Negotiate in a rising-vacancy market. With vacancy rates approaching 6%, landlords are offering incentives. Ask about a free month, reduced deposits, included parking, or lower rent. It does not hurt to ask.

• Know your rights before signing. Ensure your deposit does not exceed one month's rent. Insist on a move-in inspection report — without it, the landlord cannot deduct for damage when you leave.

• Declutter before you move. Less stuff means a faster, cheaper move. Our decluttering guide covers where to donate, recycle, and dispose of items in Calgary.

• Consider storage if timing doesn't line up. If your lease ends before your new place is ready, our Calgary storage guide covers your options.

Plan Your Rental Move

Whether you are moving into a Beltline high-rise or a suburban townhome, our Calgary movers handle rental moves daily. We carry the insurance (COI) that buildings require, we know the elevator booking processes, and we will protect your floors and walls.

Get a free quote and mention your building name — we likely already know their moving rules. If you are moving from Edmonton, our QE2 corridor moving guide covers the route, costs, and timing.