Canadian Relocation Update: Where People Are Moving—and What to Consider Before You Go
Canadian Relocation Update: Where People Are Moving—and What to Consider Before You Go
October 2026 | Provincial migration: April–June 2026 | Housing costs: September 2026
Moving to another province brings work, housing, household finances and everyday life into the same decision. Migration figures show where Canadians have been moving. Rental data adds another layer: what housing may cost at the destination.
During the second quarter of 2026, Alberta recorded a net gain of 5,893 residents through interprovincial migration, while British Columbia gained 2,756. Ontario recorded a net loss of 7,063 residents to other provinces and territories.
These movements provide context for households considering a move and employers relocating employees.
Understanding the destination also requires a closer look at housing availability, workplace location, household requirements and the arrangements needed before arrival.
Where Are Canadians Relocating?
Interprovincial migration measures changes in usual residence between provinces and territories. It is distinct from international immigration and does not capture every temporary assignment, rotational deployment or short-term stay.
Statistics Canada publishes these estimates quarterly. The figures below cover April through June 2026, rather than movements during September or October.
Province | Arrivals from other provinces and territories | Departures to other provinces and territories | Net change |
Alberta | 26,777 | 20,884 | +5,893 |
British Columbia | 21,732 | 18,976 | +2,756 |
Nova Scotia | 6,668 | 5,705 | +963 |
Ontario | 27,906 | 34,969 | −7,063 |
Manitoba | 5,090 | 6,937 | −1,847 |
Quebec | 10,739 | 11,972 | −1,233 |
Sources: Government of Alberta, Quarterly Population Report, Q2 2026; Statistics Canada, quarterly interprovincial migration estimates.
A net loss does not mean people have stopped moving into a province. Ontario received 27,906 residents from elsewhere in Canada during the quarter, but departures exceeded arrivals. Alberta’s positive balance occurred alongside 20,884 departures.
For relocation planning, both sides matter. Employers and households continue to arrange moves into—and out of—provinces regardless of whether the overall balance is positive or negative.
Alberta: A Significant Destination, With Movement in Both Directions
Alberta received 26,777 people from other provinces and territories during the quarter. Ontario was the largest source, accounting for 8,921 arrivals, followed closely by British Columbia with 8,738.
The figures establish the scale and origin of those movements. They do not establish whether people moved for employment, housing costs, family connections or other reasons.
For a household considering Alberta, the next assessment is more specific: which community supports the job, what suitable housing costs there, and how the location accommodates the household’s daily needs.
For an employer, a provincial destination is only the beginning. A Calgary office assignment, an Edmonton-based role and a project requiring travel to a remote worksite each create different housing and transportation requirements.
Sources: Government of Alberta population report; Statistics Canada, interprovincial migrants by origin and destination.
Major-City Housing Costs: What Might Rent Look Like?
Provincial migration figures do not identify how many people settled in Toronto, Calgary or another individual city. The rental comparison below serves a different purpose: establishing a housing-cost reference for six major destinations.
These September 2026 asking rents cover apartments and condominiums across unit sizes. They are not quotes for a particular bedroom count, furnished accommodation, corporate housing or short-term stays.
City | Average monthly asking rent | Change from September 2025 | Change from August 2026 |
Vancouver | $2,741 | −1.3% | +1.4% |
Toronto | $2,554 | −1.4% | −0.6% |
Ottawa | $2,164 | −1.2% | −0.2% |
Montreal | $1,959 | −1.1% | +0.2% |
Calgary | $1,823 | −3.9% | −0.1% |
Edmonton | $1,522 | −3.2% | +0.2% |
All six recorded annual declines, while three saw monthly increases. Toronto’s three-bedroom average also rose despite its overall annual decline. The figures illustrate why the relevant unit size and intended move-in date belong in the budget assessment.
Toronto: Household Size Changes the Housing Budget
For a person moving alone, a smaller apartment may provide an appropriate starting point. A household needing several bedrooms, room for remote work or accommodation for an extended family member will face a different search.
The same applies to location. A “Toronto” address does not establish whether a home is practical for a particular workplace. The reporting address, work schedule and transportation options should shape the search area.
For employers preparing a relocation allowance, a general city average can inform an initial estimate. A housing search matched to the employee’s household is needed to assess whether that allowance is workable.
Calgary: Assess the Difference Against Suitable Homes
Calgary offers a lower average rental starting point than Toronto in this comparison. That difference can inform an initial destination budget, but it does not represent guaranteed savings on equivalent properties.
A useful comparison should match bedroom requirements, property type, included services and access to work. It should also account for whether the household expects to drive, use public transit or maintain more than one vehicle.
For an employee whose work involves changing project locations, the housing decision may need to accommodate travel beyond a single office address.
Vancouver: Timing Remains Part of the Decision
Vancouver illustrates how annual and monthly trends can point in different directions.
For a household scheduling a move, a year-over-year decline does not establish what will be available when the household arrives. The practical assessment needs current listings, confirmed occupancy dates and a defined search area.
Access to transit may also change the overall budget. A well-connected home can offer a different cost and commuting profile from a less expensive property that requires additional driving and parking.
Edmonton: Connect the Housing Advantage to the Assignment
Edmonton had the lowest average asking rent among the six cities compared. That provides a useful benchmark for households and employers assessing Alberta destinations.
The next step is to identify accommodation suitable for the role and the people moving. A lower city average does not resolve questions about distance to work, school access, accessibility, pets or the timing of an available lease.
For a defined assignment, accommodation duration and flexibility also matter. The housing arrangement should reflect how long the employee is expected to stay and what happens if that period changes.
Ottawa and Montreal: Compare the Complete Living Arrangement
Ottawa and Montreal offer different rental price points, but the relocation assessment extends beyond the monthly amount.
The relevant comparison includes the workplace, neighbourhood, required space, transportation and access to services. Households should also review the destination’s rental requirements and agreement terms before committing.
For employers comparing potential work locations, housing costs are one component of the employee’s transition. The household’s ability to establish a workable routine deserves attention alongside the financial allowance.
Look Beyond the Monthly Rent
Rent is a central relocation expense. The full housing budget also includes the costs attached to the property, its location and the transition into it.
Before committing, assess:
Housing expenses: rent, separately charged utilities, internet, parking and other applicable costs.
Transportation: transit fares, vehicle requirements, fuel, parking and the time involved in commuting.
Household requirements: bedrooms, accessibility, pets, schools, childcare and access to everyday services.
Transition expenses: temporary accommodation, storage and any additional move between temporary and longer-term housing.
Timing: the relationship between the employee’s start date, arrival date and confirmed access to the home.
A property that appears affordable in isolation may produce a different result once these costs and requirements are considered together.
CMHC’s rental guidance recommends assessing neighbourhood access, transportation, included services and property costs when comparing homes.
Source: CMHC, Your Guide to Renting a Home.
Confirm the Housing Arrangement Before Committing
A relocation plan needs more than a shortlist. It needs clarity about which arrangements are confirmed and which remain dependent on availability or timing.
Before signing, review the rental term, included services, payment obligations, occupancy date and applicable provincial or territorial requirements. Rental rules differ across jurisdictions; familiar arrangements in the departure province should not be assumed to apply at the destination.
For furnished or temporary accommodation, confirm the services included, extension options and cancellation terms. These details become particularly relevant when an assignment or arrival date may change.
An AHOM-RMC Relocation Planning Checklist
For a household move or employee assignment, establish the following before finalizing arrangements:
Work location and start date: Where must the employee report, on what schedule and from which date?
Household profile: Who is moving, and which space, accessibility, family or pet requirements must the housing meet?
Duration: Is this a defined assignment, an exploratory period or a longer-term move?
Complete budget: What is available for housing, transportation, moving and any temporary arrangements?
Confirmed accommodation: Does the selected property meet the requirements and provide access on the required date?
Responsibility for coordination: Who is managing bookings, documentation, arrival arrangements and outstanding decisions?
Contingency arrangements: What happens if the start date, housing availability or assignment duration changes?
AHOM-RMC’s Perspective
Migration statistics describe where people have moved. Housing reports help establish what accommodation may cost. A relocation plan connects those findings to the employee, the household and the work ahead.
At AHOM-RMC, we bring relocation strategy, housing coordination and practical execution into the same conversation—from assessing destination options to coordinating arrival and the arrangements needed afterward.
The aim is to help people arrive with housing, work and everyday needs considered together.
Data note: Provincial migration figures cover April–June 2026 and are subject to revision. Rental figures cover September 2026 and reflect advertised apartment and condominium rents. The datasets cover different periods and measures; they do not establish individual reasons for moving, city-level relocation volumes or a ranking of the best places to live.nations.
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