(Dreamstime)

By David Opinko

Home rental prices down nationally but continuing to rise in Lethbridge

Feb 17, 2021 | 12:00 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge is bucking the Canadian trend when it comes to housing, but in this case, that might not be a good thing for renters.

The latest National Rent Report from Rentals.ca and Bullpen Research and Consulting shows that, in January 2021, a one-bedroom home in the city rented for $938 per month while those with two bedrooms listed for $1,102.

Between the two types of rental housing, that marks a four per cent increase year-over-year.

Across the country, however, prices were down 8.7 per cent over that same period.

“Single-family homes and condominiums for rent continued their downward slide in January, as the most expensive properties continue to get less expensive to rent during the pandemic,” says Ben Myers, president of Bullpen Research & Consulting.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“Prospective tenants continue to experience a market flush with choice, and have more bargaining power than they’ve had in many years,” adds Matt Danison, CEO of Rentals.ca.

Provincially, Alberta was on the low-end for average monthly rents at $1,243 per month with a typical price for square footage around $1.56.

Nationally, Canadians paid $1,714 per month on average for rent or about $2.25 per square foot.

Out of the 35 cities analyzed across the country, Lethbridge was the 31st most expensive. In last month’s report, the city was ranked at 29th.

Six communities in Alberta were considered for this list. You can find info on rent with their place on the national list in brackets, below:

• Calgary (23)
  • One bedroom: $1,203 – down 1.9% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,468 – up 1.4% annually
• Edmonton (27)
  • One bedroom: $1,023 – down 1.3% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,247 – down 0.6% annually
• Fort McMurray (28)
  • One bedroom: $995 – down 20.2% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,232 – down 9.7% annually
• Red Deer (29)
  • One bedroom: $982 – up 3.9% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,026 – up 0.2% annually
• Grande Prairie (30)
  • One bedroom: $982 – down 6.8% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,123 – down 7.4% annually
• Lethbridge (31)
  • One bedroom: $938 – up 1.5% annually
  • Two bedrooms: $1,102 – up 7.4% annually

Vancouver was, once again, the most expensive city in the country to rent. A one-bedroom unit rented for $1,901 per month in January (up 1% annually) while homes with two bedrooms listed for $2,592 (down 7.4% annually).