GTA rents see largest monthly increase in more than three years

Rental rates in the Greater Toronto Area just experienced their largest monthly increase in more than three years.

According to the latest Toronto GTA Rent Report from Bullpen Research & Consulting and TorontoRentals.com, prices in the region soared last month as supply dwindled.

In May, the average monthly rent for all property types in the GTA was $2,327, an annual increase of 16.5%. The figure is a 5.7% increase from April, making it the largest monthly increase since reports began in 2018. However, rents are still $38 below May 2019 levels.

High inflation, rising interest rates, more short-term rentals, and supply chain issues have tightened supply across the GTA, the report said. Simultaneously, demand has increased due to immigration, an influx of students, and recent grads leaving their parent’s homes.

Fewer people move during uncertain economic times, and would-be home buyers have delayed their purchases due to high housing prices, further constraining supply.

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The highest rents across the GTA last month were found in Toronto. The average monthly price for condo rentals and apartments in the city was $2,438, an annual increase of 19.8%.

Burlington and Etobicoke followed, with average monthly rents of $2,233 and $2,263, respectively. The figures represent annual increases of 18.3% and 17%.

Vaughan was the only city to see rents decline — they dropped by 6.6% to $2,072 per month.

Bullpen Research & Consulting and TorontoRentals.com

So far in 2022, the neighbourhood in the GTA with the highest rents has been the Bay Street Corridor. From January to May, the average price of condo rentals and apartments in the area was $2,764 per month. Prices are up 12% from 2021, and 1% from the peak in 2019.

Mississauga City Centre saw the highest growth rate in the region. At $2,878 per month average rents in the area are up 28% year-over-year, and are 17% higher than in  2019.

Only Cabbagetown experienced a decrease in rents — down annually from $1,865 to $1,843 — although the average listing dropped from 742 square feet to 586 square feet.

The cheapest rents in the GTA can be found in Parkdale. At an average of $1,767 per month, rents are still 19% below the 2019 peak. Like in Cabbagetown, though, units have shrunk.

Bullpen Research & Consulting and TorontoRentals.com