The 10 Cheapest Neighbourhoods For Rent In Metro Vancouver

Metro Vancouver is known for its beautiful scenery, dynamic neighbourhoods, and, of course, a high cost of living. As the most expensive city to rent in Canada, it can be hard to find cost-effective accommodation in Vancouver. We’re liv.rent, a digital rental platform that makes renting easy, and we’re going to take a look at where you can find cheap rent in the City of Vancouver and beyond, exploring municipalities and areas where the cheapest rent in Metro Vancouver is hiding.

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1. Abbotsford

Average rent in Abbotsford

Abbotsford offers surprising value for renters given its broad appeal and excellent location. As of June 2023, a one-bedroom, unfurnished unit in Abbotsford rents for an average of just $1,592 per month, while a two-bedroom unit can be had for $2,036 on average – significantly lower than nearby Langley.

Neighbourhood breakdown: Abbotsford

About: Abbotsford is one of the Fraser Valley’s primary urban hubs, with plenty to attract renters and young professionals drawn to the area’s thriving job market. The city is home to the University of the Fraser Valley‘s main campus, which welcomes the majority of the university’s total 15,000+ students. Although it’s primarily seen as an agrarian community with a strong connection to its farming roots, Abbotsford has all manner of shopping destinations and the modern convenience one would expect from a city of its size. The Highstreet and Sevenoaks Shopping Centres each contain a vast assortment of shops and dining destinations and are conveniently located on opposing ends of the city.

Abbotsford also has a variety of amenity and activity spaces spread throughout the city, such as the Abbotsford Recreation Centre (ARC), which contains a skating rink, a 25-metre swimming pool, an indoor walking/running track, and more.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 60 to 75 minutes by car and 90 to 110 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Abbotsford is a large city in its own right with a population of over 150,000 and all manner of properties for rent. Single-family homes are the most common, but the area has seen plenty of new development activity in recent times with lots of low-rise and high-rise apartment buildings in key areas.

• Studio apartments for rent: Abbotsford
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Abbotsford
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Abbotsford

2. Guildford, Surrey

Average rent in Guildford

Guildford’s average rent prices are well below that of Surrey as a whole, at an average of $1,614 per month for an unfurnished one-bedroom, compared to a city-wide average of $1,918 as of June 2023.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Guildford

About: Guildford is in Surrey’s northeast corner, bordering the Fraser River and Langley. Frequently associated with the popular Guildford Town Centre mall in the centre of the neighbourhood, Guildford has plenty of urban appeal with easy access to the heart of the city and lush walking trails in various pockets of the area.

Tynehead Regional Park is perhaps the best known of these natural areas, an expansive area where residents can fish, explore the many trails, and take in the sights & sounds of nature just minutes from home, in addition to housing a popular off-leash dog park. Guildford Recreation Centre is the neighbourhood’s primary destination for all manner of recreational activities, with a full-length pool, gymnasium, and weight room for residents to stay active.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 30 to 40 minutes by car and 50 to 60 minutes by transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Renters will find all types of rental properties within the booming Guildford neighbourhood. New high-rise developments have emerged as the city becomes increasingly popular, and there are still many pockets of the neighbourhood with larger single-family homes.

• Studio apartments for rent: Surrey
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey

3. Willoughby, Langley

Average rent in Willoughby

As of liv.rent’s June 2023 Rent Report, rent prices in Willoughby, Langley average $1,904 per month for an unfurnished one-bedroom unit, and $2,477 for unfurnished, two-bedroom units.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Willoughby

About: Representative of Langley as a whole, Willoughby offers residents and visitors a taste of the Fraser Valley’s bountiful farmland in a bustling metropolitan locale. Filled with parks, trails and facilities with activities for the whole family, Willoughby has something to offer everyone. The Langley Events Centre houses the Vancouver Giants hockey team, which draws in large crowds for practically every home game. Just next door is Willoughby Community Park, another popular fixture of the vibrant neighbourhood.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 40 to 50 minutes by car and 80-100 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

About: As Willoughby has grown, more and more multi-residential communities have emerged in the neighbourhood, offering plenty of both low- and high-rise apartment buildings in the neighbourhood.

• Studio apartments for rent: Langley
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Langley
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Langley

4. Steveston

Average rent in Steveston

Despite being one of Richmond’s most charming communities, Steveston’s rent prices are well below the city’s average. As of June 2023, a one-bedroom, unfurnished unit in the neighbourhood rents for an average of $1,958 per month, while a two-bedroom unit goes for $3,087 on average.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Steveston

About: Steveston is a picturesque seaside community that’s known for its fresh seafood, oceanfront views, and tight-knit feel. Despite this excellent combination, the area is surprisingly inexpensive to rent in compared to Richmond’s other neighbourhoods. The area has a proud history as a fishing village and many of the most popular attractions in the area centre around this legacy, like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 30 to 45 minutes by car and 50-70 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Steveston has a good mix of single-family residences and apartments to cater to younger demographics.

• Studio apartments for rent: Richmond
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Richmond
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Richmond

5. Surrey City Centre, Surrey

Average rent in Surrey City Centre

Though just above average rent prices for the city of Surrey, Surrey City Centre is still below Metro Vancouver’s regional averages and offers exceptional value given its central location and proximity to transit and shopping. As of liv.rent’s June 2023 Rent Report, a one-bedroom unit in Surrey City Centre rents for an average of $1,971 per month, while a two-bedroom, unfurnished unit rents for an average of $2,499.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Surrey City Centre

About: As the city grows, Surrey’s City Centre has become a vibrant downtown core that’s impressively walkable with a great transit network and easy access to the rest of the city and surrounding region. The neighbourhood is also home to much of Surrey’s main infrastructure, like its City Hall, Civic Plaza, Surrey Memorial Hospital and both SFU and Kwantlen Polytechnic University‘s Surrey campuses.

There’s no shortage of things to do in the area, either – facilities like the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre and the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex allow for a variety of activities, and there are even a couple of urban parks nearby.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 35 to 45 minutes by car and 40 to 50 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Surrey City Centre is primarily filled with multi-residential projects with an assortment of low-rise and high-rise buildings throughout the area. On the city’s outskirts and in surrounding Whalley, there are more residential areas with single-family occupancies.

• Studio apartments for rent: Surrey
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey

6. South Surrey

Average rent in South Surrey

Another area of Surrey with below-average rent prices in June 2023, South Surrey offers great value to budget-minded renters. As of our latest rent report data, this city’s average rent is $2,058 for an unfurnished, one-bedroom unit. Two-bedroom units are also much cheaper than the region’s average, at $2,578 per month on average this June.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: South Surrey

About: Bordering the seaside community of White Rock, South Surrey is a popular area thanks to its large properties, small town feel, and diverse amenities and businesses. In addition to an expansive coastline and beaches that bring in plenty of tourists year-round, South Surrey is now a bustling hub that’s close to the U.S. border as well for quick trips south.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 40 to 60 minutes by car and 70-80 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: South Surrey offers everything from beachfront homes to medium-sized apartment developments in different pockets of the city, with more and more renters moving to the area each year.

• Studio apartments for rent: Surrey
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey

7. Newton, Surrey

Average rent in Newton

In Surrey‘s Newtown neighbourhood, the average rent for unfurnished, one-bedroom units is $2,083 per month, according to liv.rent’s rent report data from June 2023. Two-bedroom, unfurnished units are also comparatively cheap, at an average rate of $2,460 per month.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Newton

About: Newton is best known as Surrey’s industrial hub, but is also one of the city’s foremost residential neighbourhoods and a bustling town centre in its own right. An exceedingly diverse, close-knit community, Newton is brimming with culture and is home to the region’s largest South Asian population. The vibrant neighbourhood has a booming job market with opportunities across a variety of manufacturing and industrial industries.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University also has its main campus nearby, and there are plenty of things to do for residents of all ages – such as the Newton Recreation Centre, Mud Bay Park, and the Newton Seniors Centre.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 45-55 minutes by car and 80-90 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Renters can find a variety of old & new apartment buildings in this neighbourhood, in addition to the many single-family occupancies and larger estate homes.

• Studio apartments for rent: Surrey
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Surrey

8. White Rock

Average rent in White Rock

Another part of the Metro Vancouver area with below-average rent prices in June 2023, White Rock offers great value to budget-minded renters. As of our latest rent report data, this city’s average rent is $2,097 for an unfurnished, one-bedroom unit. Two-bedroom units rent for an average of $2,768 per month.

Neighbourhood breakdown: White Rock

About: Bordering Semiahmoo Bay to the south and Surrey on its other three sides, White Rock is a rapidly growing municipality with plenty to offer renters of all ages. The seaside community takes its name from a white granite boulder that sits on a beach in the community, near the famous promenade. In addition to an expansive coastline and beaches that bring in plenty of tourists year-round, White Rock is now a bustling hub that’s close to the U.S. border as well for quick trips south.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 40 to 60 minutes by car and 70 to 80 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: White Rock offers everything from beachfront homes to medium-sized apartment developments in different pockets of the city, with more and more renters moving to the area each year.

• Studio apartments for rent: White Rock
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: White Rock
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: White Rock

9. Renfrew-Collingwood, Vancouver

Average rent in Renfrew-Collingwood

Renfrew-Collingwood offers great value given its central location and the variety of rentals available. As of June 2023, the average cost of rent in this trendy neighbourhood is just $2,237 per month for an unfurnished, one-bedroom unit.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Renfrew-Collingwood

About: Renfrew-Collingwood is a geographically large neighbourhood in Vancouver with an outsized population of families and a largely residential community. The area makes up the far east end of the city, bordering Burnaby along Boundary Road between Broadway to the north and Kingsway to the south, all the way to Nanaimo to the west. With the convenience of Kingsway and proximity to the best of Burnaby as well, there’s a wide range of family-friendly activities, shopping, dining and more within reach. Nature too is just outside your door at Renfrew Ravine Park and the Still Creek watershed, and there are plenty of parks in the neighbourhood as well.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 15 to 25 minutes by car and 15 to 20 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver

Rental types: Renfrew-Collingwood is primarily a residential neighbourhood and offers all manner of low- and high-rise apartment buildings as well as older ‘Vancouver Special’ homes.

• Studio apartments for rent: Vancouver
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Vancouver
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Vancouver

10. Marpole, Vancouver

Average rent in Marpole

Across the city, New Westminster offers surprising value given how appealing the neighbourhood is for renters of all backgrounds. In New Westminster, the average rent for unfurnished units is $2,246 for a one-bedroom and $2,884 for a two-bedroom according to liv.rent’s rent report data from June 2023.

Neighbourhood Breakdown: Marpole

About: Marpole is on Vancouver’s southern end, forming a residential corridor between the city and neighbouring Richmond – as well as Vancouver International Airport. The neighbourhood is centered around Granville Street which is also its main commercial district, spanning from 41st Avenue south to the Fraser River. The area is rapidly growing thanks to its below-average rent prices and a constantly increasing number of local shopping, dining, and amenity destinations.

If an active, community-centred lifestyle sounds good to you, then New Westminster should be right up your alley. The city’s famous Quay and the River Market make for an excellent place to spend a weekend afternoon, bordering on the Fraser River and home to plenty of local shops and seasonal events. Queen’s Park is another popular gathering spot for tourists and locals alike, with 75 acres of sprawling parkland as well as its own basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, walking/running trails, and an indoor arena.

Proximity to Downtown Vancouver: 15 to 20 minutes by car and 30 to 40 minutes by public transit to Downtown Vancouver.

Rental types: Most of Marpole’s residences are older homes built between 1960 and the 1990s, though increased interest in the neighbourhood has seen plenty of multi-residential projects come to the area.

• Studio apartments for rent: Vancouver
• One-bedroom apartments for rent: Vancouver
• Two-bedroom apartments for rent: Vancouver

Average rent in Metro Vancouver

The average rent in Metro Vancouver varies greatly depending on the area you’re looking to rent in. Typically, rent is highest within Vancouver itself, particularly in the Downtown core, while surrounding areas tend to offer a little more value. The graphic below breaks down the average rent throughout Metro Vancouver for April 2023 in terms of cost per square foot, so you can get a sense of where each city stands. For more of the latest rental data for Vancouver, be sure to take a look at our monthly rent reports.

Where is the cheapest rent in Metro Vancouver?

Looking at Metro Vancouver as a whole, the cheapest options in terms of rent can typically be found in Abbotsford, Surrey, and Langley – according to our latest liv.rent Rent Report. That’s certainly not to say that other areas don’t offer value, but rather that these cities average rental costs are considerably lower than most. There are plenty of great neighbourhoods for budget-savvy renters in Vancouver, and the above list should be viewed as a starting point rather than a comprehensive list.

How to find cheap rent in Vancouver

While Vancouver has a reputation as the most expensive city in Canada to rent or buy real estate in, there is still some great value to be found for those willing to do their homework. Vancouver renters should make liv.rent their starting point for any home search. The all-in-one platform allows you to easily search for verified rental properties throughout the lower mainland, and connect with trusted landlords to help avoid the uncertainty of the usual rental process.

There are a number of other sites where Vancouver renters can find and secure relatively affordable rent, including Craigslist, Kijiji, and Facebook Groups made specifically for Vancouver renters. For some top tips on reducing your rent in Vancouver, check out our post here.

Resources for Metro Vancouver renters

Renting in BC

For more information on renting in B.C., you can refer to these extensive resource posts to help you in your rental journey.

• BC Residential Tenancy Agreement Explained
• 15 Tips for Finding an Apartment in Vancouver
• Vancouver Rental Vacancy Rate
• Guide to BC Tenancy Forms

COVID-19 resources 

For information regarding COVID-19, refer to these comprehensive resource posts. They include information on the various federal and provincial assistance initiatives available to help support landlords (small business relief) and tenants (rent relief):

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Canada – Support For Landlords
• Tips for Moving During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Renting: changes during COVID-19

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