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July Rent Report

Medicine Hat remains one of Canada’s most affordable urban rental markets

Aug 6, 2026 | 9:34 AM

Medicine Hat continues to rank among the most affordable urban rental markets in Canada, while also seeing some of the country’s strongest recent rent growth.

According to the latest Rentals.ca and Urbanation rent report, the average asking rent for purpose-built and condominium apartments in Medicine Hat was $1,337 in July, making it the second-lowest among major Canadian markets behind Fort McMurray.

The report found asking rents in Medicine Hat increased 2.9 per cent compared with July 2025, placing the city among the fastest-growing rental markets outside Canada’s largest urban centres.

Nationally, rental prices showed signs of stabilizing after nearly two years of declines. The average asking rent for all property types in Canada was $2,037 in July, down four per cent year-over-year but up 0.2 per cent from June.

Alberta’s rental market followed a similar trend. The province’s average asking rent across all property types was $1,767, down 4.2 per cent annually. Apartment and condominium rents averaged $1,663, a 4.3 per cent decline from the previous year, but increased 0.3 per cent from June.

Rentals.ca and Urbanation say Medicine Hat’s affordability continues to set it apart from many larger markets. Other lower-cost communities included Fort McMurray at $1,313 and Lloydminster at $1,338.

The report says Canada’s rental market may be approaching a turning point, with national asking rents rising for a fourth consecutive month as annual declines continue to slow.