Abbotsford retained its position as the most affordable rental market in British Columbia in July, with the average asking rent remaining unchanged at $1,744 from June to July, according to recent data.
Largest annual fall in B.C.
The unchanged monthly figure still represents a substantial year‑over‑year decline: Abbotsford’s average asking rent is down 12.4 per cent from July 2025. That places the city with the largest annual drop in rental prices across the province and the second‑largest decline among Canadian cities.
While Abbotsford’s steadiness offered relief locally, the broader provincial picture was mixed. The average asking rent for B.C. in July rose slightly by 0.3 per cent to $2,384, but remains 4.5 per cent below July 2025 levels — a drop that is tied for the largest annual decrease in the country.
Where Abbotsford sits in the provincial map
Abbotsford continued to be the only British Columbia municipality to appear on a national list of Canada’s 25 most affordable rental markets for July, highlighting its relative accessibility compared with the province’s more expensive coastal municipalities. North Vancouver remained the priciest market in B.C. for July with an average asking rent of $3,019.
- Abbotsford average asking rent (July): $1,744 — unchanged from June.
- Year‑over‑year change in Abbotsford: -12.4%.
- Provincial average (July): $2,384 — monthly +0.3%, annual -4.5%.
| Location | Average rent (July) | Month change | Year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford | $1,744 | 0.0% | -12.4% |
| British Columbia (average) | $2,384 | +0.3% | -4.5% |
| North Vancouver | $3,019 | — | — |
“This report marks 25 months of consecutive year‑over‑year decreases in asking rent prices,” Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle said, adding that the trend shows progress toward making life more affordable for renters.
Local consequences and context
For renters and landlords in Abbotsford, steady prices after a notable annual decline mean different things. Tenants who locked in leases over the last year may be feeling relief from rapid increases seen in earlier cycles; landlords coping with inflationary pressures and rising operating costs may continue to face margin squeeze. The city’s affordability relative to the rest of the province also factors into migration and housing demand: lower rents can attract workers and families priced out of Metro Vancouver, while also affecting the local rental supply response.
Provincially, the modest month‑to‑month increase contrasts with the longer‑term trend of falling asking rents, which Minister Boyle framed as positive momentum following the peak prices recorded in summer 2023. Her office said the government sees falling asking rents as part of broader efforts to improve affordability in B.C.
What to watch next
- Whether Abbotsford’s rental market holds its affordability advantage if regional demand shifts or supply tightens.
- Policy steps from the provincial government to translate lower asking rents into longer‑term housing stability for renters.
- How local stakeholders — developers, landlords and community groups — respond to persistent cost pressures amid lower rental rates.
For now, Abbotsford renters can point to one quantifiable benefit: the city’s average asking rent stayed steady in July and remains markedly lower than the provincial average, even as parts of B.C. see monthly increases.
