Edmonton’s average rent price decreased by 2.2%: Rentals.ca

Edmonton is once again one of the most affordable cities to rent in, in Canada. But, those lower prices are not resonating on the streets of Edmonton.

“I think it’s too expensive for me,” said one Edmontonian CityNews spoke to.

Another saying, “It’s kinda hard working like minimum wage like you can’t really afford to live. Can’t get food, you can’t rent so kinda just live at home.”

But there are signs of some relief, according to Rentals.ca. The average rent price for a one-bedroom unit is $1,300 — down two per cent month over month in December.

A two-bedroom, now sitting around $1,600 a month.

“They gotta keep decreasing until it’s actually livable.”

But for renters like Alyssa Conti, the data is hard to understand. She recently renewed her lease on a two-bedroom apartment and saw an increase.

“My roommate and I both work in like service industry jobs which obviously don’t make a lot … but if the rent does go down that sounds like good news because that would make it more affordable for people like us,” she explained.

But according to Giacomo Ladas with Rentals.ca, their data is based on their new listings and not on lease renewals.

“So if you and I live in an apartment in Edmonton, our rents haven’t gone down a few percent this year. These are the new listings that are being listed as on our site,” explained Ladas.

Housing advocacy group ACORN adding this is just a small decrease after years of increases, saying this cool-down is not enough for those who are struggling, and need access to affordable housing.

“The decrease doesn’t mean that people are seeing a decrease in their monthly rent, it’s only happening when people move,” said William Gillies, Alberta ACORN.