| Average rent, 1-bedroom apartment (Calgary CMA) | $1,582/month |
|---|---|
| Average rent, 2-bedroom apartment (Calgary CMA) | $1,914/month |
| Apartment vacancy rate (Calgary CMA) | 5.0% |
Calgary CMA figures are from CMHC's Rental Market Survey, Tables 1.1.1 and 1.1.2, and cover private purpose-built apartments in the Calgary metropolitan area. CMHC's Rental Market Survey covers purpose-built rental buildings (apartments and row homes) with three or more rental units. It doesn't include basement suites, rented houses or condos rented by their owners, and rents in new listings are often higher than these averages. Rent and vacancy figures change; check the source for the latest release.
Commute and getting around
Calgary Transit runs the CTrain light rail (the Red and Blue lines) and a city-wide bus network, but many neighbourhoods are designed around driving. If you plan to commute without a car, check how far the unit is from a CTrain station or frequent bus route, and test the trip at the time you would actually travel. Winter matters: a walk that is easy in July can be hard in January.
Drivers should check the main routes they would use, such as Deerfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, Crowchild Trail, Glenmore Trail or Macleod Trail, at rush hour, and ask what parking comes with the unit.
Rental types you'll find
- Apartments and condos, mostly downtown, in the Beltline and along transit corridors
- Basement, garden and backyard suites in houses (check the City's suite registry)
- Townhouses and duplexes, common in both infill areas and newer suburbs
- Detached houses, more common further from the core
- Rooms in shared homes (see pets and roommates for how the rules change when you live with the landlord)
What to know before you sign
- Search the address on the City's Secondary Suite Registry if you're renting a suite.
- Ask which utilities are included and how shared utilities are split between an upstairs and a downstairs unit.
- Ask who handles snow removal and lawn care. It's often written into the lease.
- Confirm parking: assigned stall, garage, street parking or a residential permit.
- Check the community on the City of Calgary website for planned construction near the unit.
- Do the written move-in inspection with the landlord. It's required in Alberta, and it protects your deposit.
For the rules that apply to every Alberta rental, read Alberta tenancy basics and the move-in checklist.
Calgary by quadrant
Every Calgary address carries a quadrant: NW, NE, SW or SE. Roughly, Centre Street and Macleod Trail divide east from west, and the Bow River divides north from south, with some exceptions near downtown. The quadrant is part of the address, so always include it when you search or give directions.
City centre and inner city
Downtown, the Beltline, Mission, Eau Claire and nearby communities. Mostly apartments and condos, many within walking distance of work, shops and the CTrain's downtown stations. Parking is often extra or limited.
Northwest (NW)
Ranges from older inner-city areas such as Hillhurst and Kensington to suburbs such as Varsity, Tuscany and Royal Oak. The University of Calgary and SAIT are in the NW, and the Red Line CTrain runs out to Tuscany. Expect a mix of suites, condos, townhouses and houses.
Northeast (NE)
Includes Bridgeland and Renfrew close to downtown, and newer communities such as Saddle Ridge, Skyview Ranch and Redstone further out. The Blue Line CTrain serves the NE, and the airport is on this side of the city. Houses with basement suites are common in many areas.
Southwest (SW)
Includes Marda Loop, Altadore and Killarney in the inner city, and Signal Hill and Aspen Woods further west. The Blue Line runs west to 69 Street and the Red Line runs south. Mount Royal University is in the SW. Infill homes and duplexes are common in older areas.
Southeast (SE)
Includes Inglewood and Ramsay near downtown, industrial areas, and lake communities such as Mahogany and Auburn Bay in the far southeast, near the South Health Campus in Seton. Much of the deep southeast relies on buses and driving today, so check transit for the exact address.
Neighbourhood guides (for example the Beltline, Kensington and Mahogany) are planned for a later phase. The community names above are examples, not a complete list.
Secondary suites in Calgary
A lot of Calgary rentals are basement or backyard suites. The City of Calgary keeps a public Secondary Suite Registry of suites that have been inspected and meet safety requirements. Before you sign, search the address on the registry and look for the numbered registration sticker in the unit. If a suite isn't on the registry, the City suggests asking the landlord whether it's being registered (City of Calgary guidance).
Nearby areas
Airdrie to the north, Cochrane to the west, Chestermere and Strathmore to the east, and Okotoks and High River to the south each have their own rental markets. Some renters look there for more space, and acreages surround the city.
Property managers serving Calgary
Listings opening soon. We're preparing a directory of RECA-licensed property managers serving the Calgary area. No companies are listed yet.
Property managers can request a free Basic listing or a founding Featured spot through the contact form or by emailing [email protected]. A listing goes live only after the firm gives us its RECA licence number and we confirm it.