Rising housing costs and shifting lifestyles are leading older Canadians to choose renting over homeownership
A growing share of solo renters in Canada are defying traditional expectations. While many might envision young professionals in their late twenties to early thirties as the face of the solo rental market, new data from Point2Homes reveals that Canadians aged 65 and older are leading the trend.
More older Canadians are choosing to rent alone, driven by downsizing, a desire for flexibility, and less responsibility in their golden years.
In 2021, 4.4 million Canadians lived alone, a figure that has doubled since 1991. This trend spans across Canada, with Ontario and Québec recording the highest numbers – each surpassing 1.3 million one-person households.
As rentership overall rises, renters now represent 33.4% of all households – the highest percentage Canada has ever recorded. Among those living alone, renters now make up 50.4% of one-person households, officially surpassing solo homeowners.
“Some might feel as though this switch toward a solo renter-majority was only a matter of time in a housing market where buying a home on one’s own is increasingly out of the question,” Point2Homes wrote in the report. “But it actually also reflects the country's shifting societal priorities with fewer traditional family structures, less probability of property investment, and a growing importance of flexibility and less hassle.”
The most significant portion of solo renters today belongs to Canadians aged 65 and older. Many seniors are downsizing to smaller homes, seeking a more flexible lifestyle, or adjusting to life changes. This demographic is playing a pivotal role in shaping the rental market, particularly in regions where homeownership has become increasingly unattainable.
In Canada’s major cities, the shift toward solo renting is particularly evident in Québec. Montréal leads the nation with the highest share of renters, reflecting its big-city appeal that draws professionals, artists, and students seeking independence and flexibility. Montréal alone accounts for 253,945 solo renters, the largest number in Canada.
Smaller Quebec cities, such as Sherbrooke, reflect similar trends, albeit on a smaller scale, showing how this preference extends beyond large urban centres.
While apartments remain the most popular option for solo renters, preferences are shifting toward larger and more spacious living options. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of solo renters living in single-family homes increased by nearly 55,000, reaching 334,660 nationwide.
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In 16 cities across Canada, solo house renters now make up more than 25% of all one-person households, reflecting a growing desire for additional space.
Similarly, solo renters are increasingly opting for two-bedroom units. While one-bedroom apartments and studios remain the most common choice, their share dropped by 1.6% in recent years. Cities like Lévis, Québec, are clear examples of this trend—over half of solo renters there now live in two-bedroom homes.
Affordability also plays a significant role. In 2021, more than half of those renting alone spent less than 30% of their income on housing, making renting a practical option for many Canadians. For older renters, this choice provides financial predictability while eliminating the burden of homeownership expenses, such as maintenance and property taxes.
“This growing preference for extra space suggests a desire for a living environment that can meet a range of lifestyle needs — not just in space but also in adaptability. Whether for a home office, guest room, or simply more comfort, it signals a changing perspective on renting alone. Namely, that having enough space to accommodate varied lifestyle needs can become more critical than just affordability,” the report read.
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