Student rent guide for Toronto

Neighbourhoods near the campuses in Toronto, how to read an estimate for the type of home you need, and what to check before signing a lease in Toronto.

By school

Where Toronto students live

These are starting points. Open each area's page to see the estimated rent range and how much local data supports it. Neighbourhood adjustments are set by hand by FairRent, with no recorded source.

University of Toronto students

The Annex is next to the St. George campus. Kensington Market and Yorkville are also close, and each has a page here. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for Annex: +10% compared with the Toronto baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: Annex, Kensington Market, Yorkville.

Source: University of Toronto, St. George campus, checked 12 October 2026.

TMU and OCAD students

Both campuses are downtown. King West and St. Lawrence are the closest areas with pages here, and Cabbagetown is a longer walk east. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for King West: +18% compared with the Toronto baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: King West, St. Lawrence, Cabbagetown.

Sources: Toronto Metropolitan University, checked 12 October 2026; OCAD University, contact and address, checked 12 October 2026.

York University students

York University's Keele campus is in the north of the city. North York is the closest area with a page here. FairRent's neighbourhood adjustment for North York: -10% compared with the Toronto baseline. This is an input to the estimate, not a measured difference.

Compare: North York.

Source: York University, contact and address, checked 12 October 2026.

Roommates

Splitting rent in a student rental in Toronto

Room size is one common starting point, not a rule. The kitchen, living room and any shared bathroom are used by everyone, so many groups split part of the rent equally. Agree on the method before you sign.
Some roommates pay in proportion to room size, so a room 20 percent smaller than the largest pays about 20 percent less. Others split part of the rent equally and only the rest by room size.
A private bathroom is a good reason to pay a larger share. Agree the amount before signing.
Equal split for utilities and groceries unless usage is wildly different.
Put it in writing. A group chat or email saves arguments later.

Before signing

What to check in a student lease in Toronto

Is the rent fair for the area? Compare the advertised rent with the estimated rent range on the Toronto neighbourhood pages. Submit a rent only once you are paying it. Toronto neighbourhoods.
Is the lease 12 months or 8 months? Some student rentals are priced by the school year. The monthly rent may be higher but the total can be lower.
Who is on the lease? Joint leases mean everyone is responsible. Individual leases mean you are only responsible for your room.
What is the policy for subletting? Plans change. You want flexibility for co-op terms or summer breaks.
What is included? Utilities, internet, laundry, parking. The advertised rent often leaves these out.
Rent increase rules. Ontario's annual guideline applies to many existing tenancies. Some homes first used for residential purposes after November 15, 2018 are exempt. Other exceptions apply. The year you moved in does not determine coverage. Check the Landlord and Tenant Board's guidance for your situation. Rent increase guideline for Ontario.

Share your Toronto rent

If you rent in Toronto, you can report the rent you pay. We never ask for your name, email or exact address.

We use reported rents once there are enough recent ones for the same area and type of home.

Check my rent in Toronto