As the housing crisis persists, many Canadians are choosing to rent rather than buy a home.

A recent survey found that more than half of Canadian renters doubt they will ever own a home in Canada.

If you find yourself in this boat and looking for the best cities to rent in the country, a new report might help the search be a little less miserable.

Apartment search site RentCafé released a report on Tuesday ranking the top Canadian cities in terms of renters in the third quarter of 2024.

To do this, the company analyzed millions of interactions on its search engine, focusing on four key indicators of listed properties:

• Availability of apartments
• List Views
• Apartments saved as favorites
• Saved custom searches

The number one city attracting the most interest from apartment hunters might surprise you.

According to the report, Winnipeg ranks first among the most sought-after cities for Canadians looking to rent. He received the highest score possible, 100.

“The city also ranks second nationally for preferred apartments, suggesting that renters interested in apartments in Winnipeg are decisive, often finding what they want without having to save their searches for later,” may we read in the report.

RentCafe says the city’s diverse economy, including manufacturing, education and healthcare sectors, attracts workers who often start out as renters.

And it seems that big-city Canadians are making the big move to Winnipeg.

“In addition to local tenants, those interested in apartments in Winnipeg come from Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver,” the report reads.

The Prairies’ popularity doesn’t stop there.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, took second place with a score of 90.49 out of 100. RentCafe says this is largely due to a 27 percent increase in online traffic and a 34 percent increase in preferred listings by compared to last year.

“Saskatoon, one of Canada’s youngest and fastest growing prairie cities, continues to attract newcomers and young families looking for affordable housing, as well as skilled workers in search of affordable housing. seeking better employment prospects,” the report reads.

Besides local interest, many people looking to rent in Saskatoon come from Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina.

Edmonton, with a score of 88.88, is in third place. RentCafe claims that it is the largest city in the top 10 in terms of population.

“Edmonton tops the list of preferred apartments, reflecting renters’ high confidence in their choices when looking for a place to call home,” the report reads.

The city’s diverse economy, which includes industries such as oil and gas, trade, manufacturing, education and healthcare, attracts young professionals and families seeking employment opportunities. job.

“Despite its size, Edmonton remains more affordable than other major Canadian cities,” one report reads. “That’s why apartments in Edmonton are attracting increasing interest, not only from local renters, but also from residents of other major cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary.

This isn’t the only report highlighting Edmonton’s growing popularity. A Royal LePage report of May revealed that many Canadians are considering moving to the Alberta city.

Victoria breaks the Prairie streak by ranking fourth, while Ottawa rounds out the top five, with increased demand from civil servants looking for accommodation in the nation’s capital.