Ontario renters are feeling the squeeze, with a new Winter 2025 Renter Feedback Survey from Rentals.ca showing that affordability pressures remain a major concern.
Based on responses from 503 renters nationwide, the survey highlights how rising rents and persistent increases are shaping rental behaviour, particularly in Ontario’s major markets.
Across Ontario, more than six in ten renters report spending over 30 percent of their net income on housing, and one-third spend more than half of their income on rent. Toronto renters are especially affected, with seven in ten saying rent accounts for more than 30 percent of their earnings.
The survey also notes differences by age, with younger renters hardest hit. Among those aged 25 to 34, 43 percent spend more than half their income on housing, compared with 37 percent of those aged 35 to 54. Affordability pressures are affecting renters across the province, regardless of age.
High rent prices continue to dominate rental search challenges, with 69 percent of renters citing it as their primary concern. Budget limitations further highlight the gap between expectations and reality, as seven in ten renters plan to spend under $2,000 on their next rental, even as asking rents frequently exceed that figure.
These findings underscore the growing need for solutions to ease housing pressures in Ontario, particularly in major cities where affordability is increasingly out of reach for many renters.
For a complete breakdown of the Winter 2025 Renter Feedback Survey, visit Rentals.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
