Victoria ranked among Canada’s most sought-after rental markets

Victoria continues to be one of Canada’s hottest rental markets, according to a new report that ranked the city among the country’s most sought-after places for renters.

The latest Canada Renter Interest Report from RentCafe ranked Victoria sixth overall among 25 Canadian cities analyzed during the first quarter of 2026.

The report measures renter demand based on apartment availability, listing views, favourited listings and saved searches on RentCafe’s platform.

Victoria held steady in sixth place compared to the previous quarter, placing ahead of larger centres including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton.

Researchers found that saved searches in Victoria increased by 30% year-over-year, suggesting many renters are actively monitoring the market and waiting for units that meet their needs to become available.

While page views and favourited listings declined compared to the same period last year, RentCafe says the numbers may indicate renters are acting more decisively when suitable listings appear rather than spending extended periods browsing.

See also: Victoria rent sees increase while national rent average drops

“Renters continue to be drawn to Victoria’s climate and proximity to Vancouver,” the report noted.

Victoria was one of two BC cities to crack the national top 10, with Vancouver ranking eighth overall.

Across the country, Moncton, New Brunswick, claimed the top spot for the third consecutive quarter, followed by Hamilton and Kingston in Ontario.

The report also found that renter demand is increasingly shifting toward smaller and mid-sized cities rather than Canada’s largest urban centres. BC performed particularly well, with Victoria ranking sixth, Vancouver eighth, Nanaimo 13th and Kelowna 18th.

According to RentCafe, increasing apartment supply and easing rental pressures in some larger markets have contributed to renters exploring alternatives outside Canada’s biggest cities.

The findings come as Victoria continues to grapple with housing affordability challenges and strong demand for rental accommodations, particularly during the peak moving season.