Calgary & Edmonton Rental Market - September 2026

As of the end of August 2026, the Alberta rental market has softened significantly — average asking rents across the province are down 4.3% year-over-year, with both Calgary and Edmonton ranking among the steepest annual declines in Canada's six largest rental markets. If your property is vacant or your pricing hasn't been reviewed in the last few weeks, this post is that review.

TL;DR — Quick Summary

• Alberta average asking rents are down 4.3% year-over-year as of August 2026

• Calgary 1-bedroom rents average $1,490/month; Edmonton averages $1,273/month

• Edmonton's decline accelerated sharply over the summer, from -1.2% in May to -4.1% by August

• Secondary suites and basement suites are the hardest-hit segment, down 6.3% provincially

• Vacancy periods of 45–75 days are now realistic; price reductions on renewals may be necessary to retain good tenants

  
  

Where Do Alberta Rents Stand Right Now?

As of August 2026, the average asking rents across Calgary and Edmonton are as follows:

Unit Type	Calgary	Edmonton
1-Bedroom	$1,490/month	$1,273/month
2-Bedroom	$1,847/month	$1,625/month
3-Bedroom	$2,150/month	$1,925/month

Sources: Rentals.ca National Rent Report (August 2026), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and AspirePeak Properties Ltd. internal market analysis.

To see the difference between the fall rental market to spring, read our May Alberta Rental Market Update.

Both cities rank among the top markets nationally for year-over-year rent declines, according to data from Rentals.ca and CMHC. This is the reality of the Calgary & Edmonton rental market update heading into fall — and it requires a response, not a wait and see approach.

Why Has Edmonton’s Market Shifted So Fast?

When we published our May 2026 market update, Edmonton’s year over year decline was -1.2% — well behind Calgary’s -3.8% at the time. By August, Edmonton had accelerated to -4.1%, nearly closing that gap in a single summer.

More secondary suite supply, new purpose-built inventory, and motivated private landlords offering incentives have expanded what tenants can choose from. Calgary owners had roughly 18 months to adjust their pricing, and most did. Edmonton has been slower and that lag is showing in the data now.

Edmonton rental prices in 2026 reflect a structural change, not a seasonal blip. Properties priced at 2024 levels are sitting; competitively priced units are moving. As your licensed Edmonton Property Management Team, we’re telling Edmonton owners directly: this market will not self-correct upward in the near term.

Are Secondary Suites the Hardest Hit?

Yes — and the numbers are sharper than the headline figures suggest.

Shared accommodation rents across Alberta have fallen 6.3% year-over-year to an average of $805/month. Calgary has seen a 7.6% decline to $807/month; Edmonton is down 2.1% to $776/month. One-bedroom basement suites in Calgary are now pricing below $1,000/month in many areas, a price point historically associated with smaller markets like Medicine Hat or Lethbridge.

The cause is straightforward: secondary suite supply has grown and now competes directly against purpose-built rental buildings offering lease incentives. Owners of standalone single family homes without secondary suites are faring comparatively better, leasing faster with less severe price pressure.

For secondary suite owners, a pricing review is not optional. Our Legally Suited Property Management team can walk you through current comparables.

What Are We Seeing in Our Own Listings?

Our inquiry data from the past 30 and 90 days tells a clear story about where tenant demand actually sits right now.

City	Inquiries (Last 30 Days)	Inquiries (Last 90 Days)	Daily Avg (30-Day)
Calgary	86	591	2.9/day
Edmonton	153	500	5.1/day
Leduc	41	122	1.4/day
Total	280	1,213	9.3/day

Source: AspirePeak Properties Ltd. internal listing data, September 2026.

Inquiry volume is there but demand and signed leases are two different things. The units converting quickly are priced at or slightly below current market. Everything else is sitting.

What Should Alberta Landlords Do Right Now?

The data is clear. Here is what we recommend for rental market Alberta landlords heading into fall 2026:

Fall 2026 Action Checklist

☐      Review your asking price against current August 2026 comparables, not last year’s data

☐      Conduct a fresh pricing review if your property has been listed more than two weeks without a qualified applicant

☐      Budget for 45–75 days on market if your unit is not priced competitively

☐      Evaluate renewal pricing before your current lease expires, retaining a good tenant is cheaper than a vacancy and turnover cycle

☐      Skip minor incentives; competitive pricing is what moves units right now

☐      For secondary suites: benchmark against purpose built alternatives in the same area, not just comparable suite listings

☐      Contact our team for a free rental evaluation and proposal — the summer shift caught many owners off-guard

Frequently Asked Questions about Calgary & Edmonton Rental Market

What is the average 1-bedroom rent in Calgary as of August 2026?

As of August 2026, the average asking rent for a 1-bedroom unit in Calgary is $1,490 per month, representing a year-over-year decline of approximately 4.5% from the same period in 2025.

What is the average 1-bedroom rent in Edmonton in 2026?

As of August 2026, the average asking rent for a 1-bedroom unit in Edmonton is $1,273 per month, down approximately 4.1% year-over-year. Edmonton’s rate of decline accelerated significantly between May and August 2026, moving from -1.2% to -4.1% over that period.

How long should I expect my rental property to sit vacant in Alberta right now?

In the current Alberta rental market, vacancy periods of 45 to 75 days are realistic for properties that are not competitively priced. Competitively priced units are still moving within reasonable timeframes, but tenant decision timelines have extended compared to 2024 and early 2025.

Should I hire a licensed property manager in a soft market?

Working with a licensed property management company carries more weight in a soft market than in a tight one. Accurate pricing, professional marketing, and thorough tenant screening are what separate a 30-day rental from a 75-day vacancy. For property owners in Calgary and Edmonton, those factors are the difference between a positive cash-flow year and a costly one.

Published September 2026. Average asking rent data sourced from Rentals.ca National Rent Report (August 2026) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Inquiry and listing data sourced from AspirePeak Properties Ltd. internal records, September 2026. Figures represent averages and are subject to change.