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0 Written by Preston Miller
In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that life is becoming unaffordable for many Canadians, particularly for young adults just starting out on their own. One of the most pressing indicators of this trend is the rising cost of shelter. Data illustrates a sobering reality: the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in cities across Canada far exceeds what many individuals can comfortably afford.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation recommends that no more than 30% of one’s gross income be allocated to rent and utilities (CMHC 2018). Yet, this goal is becoming unrealistic for countless Canadians. Using this 30% guideline, I’ve broken down the necessary annual salary and the full-time hourly wage needed to afford rent in various cities across the country. Unfortunately, the numbers tell a worrying story.
Over the last 20 years, the proportion of Canadians working at minimum wage has doubled, with one in three workers holding a post-secondary diploma or higher (Dionne-Simard and Miller 2019, 4). This suggests a concerning trend: education, once considered a reliable pathway to financial stability, is no longer a guarantee of prosperity. For those earning minimum wage, I’ve also calculated how many hours would be necessary to afford rent, and there is no city in Canada where a person can afford a one-bedroom apartment on minimum wage alone.
Take Saskatoon, for example, which has the lowest rent in Canada, with an average one-bedroom unit costing $1,218 (Rentals.ca 2024). Even there, a full-time job plus an additional 23 hours per week would be required to make ends meet. In Vancouver, the situation is even more severe. At $2,708—a person would need three—three!—full-time jobs to afford their own place (Rentals.ca 2024).
These numbers reflect a systemic problem: the declining standard of living across the nation is not just something individuals can simply overcome by working harder or making different choices. This is a crisis that demands collective action, both politically and socially. As students preparing to enter the workforce, it’s crucial that we recognize the challenges ahead and think about what we can do, both as individuals and as part of a larger community.
There are still some cities where two people, sharing a one-bedroom apartment and earning minimum wage, can afford to live. These cities include Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Laval, Niagara Falls, Québec City, Regina, Saskatoon, St. Catharines, Windsor, and Winnipeg (Rentals.ca 2024). This might mean rethinking not only our career paths but also our attitudes toward communal living, support networks, and the increasing necessity of economic partnerships.
In times like these, the importance of solidarity becomes clear. Sharing costs, supporting one another, and advocating for systemic changes are practical ways to alleviate the burden. Solutions such as affordable housing initiatives, fair wage advocacy, and community support systems are not only realistic but are also deeply needed if we want to improve the quality of life for everyone.
For those navigating these financial challenges alone, there is still hope. Collective advocacy can lead to meaningful changes, and community networks can provide the support needed to get through difficult times. As a society, our strength lies in our ability to connect with one another, work towards common goals, and create structures that uplift everyone, not just the privileged few.
Whether you’re pursuing a degree, considering your career, or simply trying to make ends meet, it’s important to remember that no one needs to face these challenges in isolation. There is an inherent value in community—when we support each other and bear each other’s burdens, we create a more resilient society. In a world that often feels isolating, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and mutual support may be key to not just surviving but truly thriving.
Figure 1
| City | Rent | Yearly Salary Required | Hourly Wage Required | Hours Required with Minimum Wage |
| Vancouver, BC | $2,708.00 | $108,320.00 | $52.08 | 120 |
| Toronto, ON | $2,428.00 | $97,120.00 | $46.69 | 113 |
| Burnaby, BC | $2,500.00 | $100,000.00 | $48.08 | 111 |
| Mississauga, ON | $2,348.00 | $93,920.00 | $45.15 | 110 |
| North York, ON | $2,253.00 | $90,120.00 | $43.33 | 105 |
| Etobicoke, ON | $2,227.00 | $89,080.00 | $42.83 | 104 |
| Burlington, ON | $2,191.00 | $87,640.00 | $42.13 | 102 |
| Halifax, NS | $2,014.00 | $80,560.00 | $38.73 | 102 |
| Victoria, BC | $2,172.00 | $86,880.00 | $41.77 | 97 |
| Guelph, ON | $2,073.00 | $82,920.00 | $39.87 | 97 |
| Barrie, ON | $2,072.00 | $82,880.00 | $39.85 | 97 |
| Brampton, ON | $2,060.00 | $82,400.00 | $39.62 | 96 |
| Ottawa, ON | $2,039.00 | $81,560.00 | $39.21 | 95 |
| Surrey, BC | $2,120.00 | $84,800.00 | $40.77 | 94 |
| Kitchener, ON | $1,934.00 | $77,360.00 | $37.19 | 90 |
| Calgary, AB | $1,708.00 | $68,320.00 | $32.85 | 88 |
| Kelowna, BC | $1,967.00 | $78,680.00 | $37.83 | 87 |
| Oshawa, ON | $1,860.00 | $74,400.00 | $35.77 | 87 |
| Montreal, QC | $1,740.00 | $69,600.00 | $33.46 | 86 |
| Kingston, ON | $1,814.00 | $72,560.00 | $34.88 | 85 |
| Gatineau, QC | $1,736.00 | $69,440.00 | $33.38 | 85 |
| Canada Average | $1,878.00 | $75,120.00 | $36.12 | 84 |
| Nanaimo, BC | $1,873.00 | $74,920.00 | $36.02 | 83 |
| Hamilton, ON | $1,777.00 | $71,080.00 | $34.17 | 83 |
| London, ON | $1,775.00 | $71,000.00 | $34.13 | 83 |
| Brantford, ON | $1,765.00 | $70,600.00 | $33.94 | 83 |
| Niagara Falls, ON | $1,698.00 | $67,920.00 | $32.65 | 79 |
| St. Catharines, ON | $1,677.00 | $67,080.00 | $32.25 | 79 |
| Laval, QC | $1,608.00 | $64,320.00 | $30.92 | 79 |
| Québec City, QC | $1,504.00 | $60,160.00 | $28.92 | 74 |
| Windsor, ON | $1,538.00 | $61,520.00 | $29.58 | 72 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $1,399.00 | $55,960.00 | $26.90 | 71 |
| Edmonton, AB | $1,376.00 | $55,040.00 | $26.46 | 71 |
| Regina, SK | $1,317.00 | $52,680.00 | $25.33 | 68 |
| Fort McMurray, AB | $1,255.00 | $50,200.00 | $24.13 | 65 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $1,218.00 | $48,720.00 | $23.42 | 63 |
(Rentals.ca 2024)
Figure 2
References
- CMHC. 2018. “Things to Consider Before Renting.” Last modified March 31, 2018. https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/consumers/renting-a-home/i-want-to-rent/things-to-consider-before-renting.
- Dionne-Simard, Dominique, and Jacob Miller. 2019. “Maximum Insights on Minimum Wage Workers: 20 Years of Data.” Labour Statistics. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-004-m/75-004-m2019003-eng.pdf?st=OVksnK6U.
- Rentals.ca. 2024. “September 2024 Rent Report.” Rent Report. Effective September 2024. https://rentals.ca/national-rent-report.
