As the biggest city in Canada, Toronto is also home to diverse and unique regions that make up the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
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Most adults spend some time renting property before entering the real estate market. Understanding the financial difference between rental costs and mortgage payments is crucial to determining where to buy and rent in Toronto neighborhoods and surrounding areas. This knowledge, especially when renting while saving for a down payment, empowers you to make informed decisions with confidence.
Zoocasa determined the cost difference between buying and renting in 35 Toronto neighborhoods and surrounding GTA cities and regions. The average home prices for May 2024 and rental prices for Q1 2024 were sourced from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s Rental Report. Monthly mortgage payments were calculated using realtor.ca’s mortgage affordability calculator, assuming a 25-year amortization, a 20% down payment, and a 5-year fixed rate of 4.64%.
Skyrocketing Mortgage Payments in the GTA
For those with bigger housing budgets, areas with the highest average mortgage payments include King ($8,848), Oakville ($6,943), Richmond Hill ($6,381), Aurora ($6,257), and Stouffville ($6,140).
Within these five areas, renting is significantly cheaper than buying. For instance, in King, mortgage payments are 170% higher than rental costs. In Aurora, mortgages are still 120% higher than rent, representing the smallest gap among these high-mortgage areas.
In comparison, the average price for mortgage payments across the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) is $5,049.
Luckily for those seeking affordability, budget-friendly options still exist in the GTA, with 43% of cities in the Greater Toronto Area having average mortgage payments below $5,000. These include Brampton, Whitby, and Halton Hills.
National Rental Trends and Local Affordability
According to the June 2024 Rentals.ca report, Canada’s average asking rental price reached a record high of $2,202 in May. Interestingly, this national milestone is comparable to the GTA’s lower-end rental averages. The five most affordable rental locations in the GTA are Oshawa ($2,300), Simcoe County ($2,175), Innisfil ($2,107), New Tecumseth ($2,107), and Brampton ($1,921). The most significant disparity between rental costs and mortgage payments among these cities is in Simcoe County, where the average mortgage payment is 135% higher than rental costs. Conversely, Oshawa exhibits the slightest difference, though mortgage payments are still 104% higher than rental costs.
Aurora, Caledon, Whitby, and Burlington have moderate rental prices ranging from $2,600 to $2,900, indicating a middle ground in affordability. Rentals with monthly costs below $2,300 are deemed affordable in the current GTA housing market.
Within all regions, renting is still more affordable than average monthly mortgage payments by leaps and bounds. However, building equity in a home often becomes a person’s most significant financial asset, which can also help build retirement savings.
Most Affordable Neighbourhoods to Rent in Toronto
Knowing where to look is essential if you’re hoping to score a rental deal in Toronto. Only four of the 35 neighborhoods analyzed have average rents under $2,500, including Mount Pleasant, Yorkdale Glendale Weston, West Hill Centennial Scarborough, and Rockcliffe Smythe Keelsdale Eglinton West.
With a larger housing budget, Toronto opens up a world of rental options, giving you more choices to find the perfect home. Twenty-four neighborhoods, making up 68% of all analyzed neighborhoods, have average rents ranging from $2,500 to $3,000.
Although renting is more affordable in all Toronto neighborhoods than buying a home, the rent-to-buy ratio, which indicates the relative affordability of renting versus buying, varies in each neighborhood. Understanding this ratio can help determine your budget and lifestyle’s most cost-effective housing option.
Regent Park, St. James Town, and Corktown is the most affordable neighborhood for owning a home in Toronto. The average monthly mortgage cost is $4,430. However, this neighborhood has an average rent of $2,890, which is $400 more each month compared to more budget-friendly alternatives.
The most affordable neighborhood for renting is Rockcliffe, Smythe, Keelesdale, and Eglinton West, with an average rent of $2,245. Next are West Hill and Centennial Scarborough ($2,344) and Yorkdale, Glen Park, and Weston ($2,486). In contrast, average mortgage payments in these more affordable rental areas are significantly higher, ranging from $4,803 to $5,293.