Average Rents in Kingston Experience Largest Decline in Canada

Kingston, Ont., has seen the biggest year-over-year drop in asking rents among all census metropolitan areas in Canada, according to recent data from Statistics Canada. This development is viewed by city officials as a hopeful sign following years of escalating housing costs.

According to Statistics Canada, the average asking rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Kingston dropped nearly six percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same time last year. These numbers are based on current rental listings from major online platforms like Rentals. ca and Zumper.

“It’s a positive step in the right direction,” said Kingston Mayor Brian Paterson.

Officials believe this decline indicates better conditions within the local housing market, following recent reductions in home prices.

“I think what we’re seeing with the data right now is that we’re starting to move in the right direction,” said Mayor Paterson. “We’ve seen house prices come down. Now we’re seeing rents go down. That’s the direction we want to keep.”

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Even with this decrease, Kingston still ranks as one of Canada’s most expensive rental markets. The city sits at 10th nationally, with a median asking rent of around $1,745 for a one-bedroom apartment and close to $2,200 for a two-bedroom unit.

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The city’s vacancy rate has also risen to 2.4 percent due to new housing developments adding more rental units into the market.

Officials say this increase in supply is helping reduce pressure on rental prices.

“I understand the laws of supply and demand – they matter,” said Mayor Paterson. “Whether you like the results or not, supply and demand will drive pricing. We’ve known for a number of years that there’s been a supply issue. We simply haven’t been building enough housing to keep up with demand, and that’s what has led to higher prices. We’ve worked hard over the last few years to reverse that trend.”

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While having more available housing seems to be slowing rent increases, affordability remains an important issue for many residents as housing costs continue to impact household budgets.

“Unfortunately, affordability is still an issue across the country, and certainly in Ontario. We’re doing everything we can locally to tackle this problem,” said Mayor Paterson.

City officials mention that ongoing investment in new housing will be essential for improving affordability and keeping rents down in the future.

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