High rent prices in Ontario contributing to provincial exodus, but other places seeing spikes too
The cost of renting an apartment is rising across Canada and while Ontario saw one of the slowest increases, other parts of the country are seeing a far larger increase.
The average cost to rent an apartment increased slightly in Ottawa in February, as renters continue to pay more than $2,000 a month to rent a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
A big chunk of Aaron Tormeti's monthly budget goes toward housing. "I think all over 50 per cent of my income goes into paying rent," he tells CTV News Ottawa.
He says he pays around $2,400 per month for a townhome, which does not include the cost of utilities. While that's in line with a national average, there are far cheaper places to live in Canada.
"I have friends that have moved to Alberta, especially last year and last two years," he says.
Data from Rentals.ca and Urbanation shows the average asking price to rent a purpose-built apartment or condominium was $2,222 last month, but in Edmonton it's $1,489 and in Calgary, it's $2,059.
According to the report, the average cost to rent an apartment in Ottawa increased 6.2 per cent in February from last year, but it went up 17.3 per cent for Edmonton and 10 per cent for Calgary, on average.
"Enormous rent growth because people are prioritizing affordability. Way more than accessibility, and they're willing to go to these areas to find more affordable rents," Giacomo Ladas with Rentals.ca tells CTV News Ottawa.
He explains that it's probably twofold why Ontario is seeing less of an increase, with fewer people possibly wanting to move during winter months.
"People want to move more in the warmer months," he says. The other reason is they're moving out of the province.
"We're seeing record high inter-provincial migration, where we're seeing tens of thousands of people go from Ontario or British Columbia and they're going to Alberta or they're going to the Maritimes," says Ladas.
Some would consider moving to Alberta to save, like Kasey Cimeranis, "Yeah, I would definitely. I've actually considered that quite a bit myself simply because of that and the schooling."
But many have ties to Ottawa and just aren't able to pack up to save.
"I do consider it, but it's also away from my family. So it's not something I really want to have to do," says Neha Abro.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.