The 5 best neighbourhoods to find cheap rent in Halifax

Halifax is the largest urban area in Atlantic Canada and is home to large public post-secondary institutions like Dalhousie University not to mention cheaper rent than larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver. You get great value for money living here, with a diverse range of neighbourhoods all near one another, and you never have to commute far. To make sure you are up to date with everything you need to know while trying to secure a place, liv.rent has created a guide to the best places to find cheap rent in Halifax.

Average rent in Halifax

In comparison to other major Canadian cities, Halifax has relatively cheap rental rates. The average rent for a one-bedroom unfurnished apartment comes in at $2,114. Prices do vary depending on the type of property and which neighbourhood you’re looking to rent in.

To help simplify your search, liv.rent, Canada’s safest rental platform, has compiled this list of some of the best neighbourhoods to find cheap rent in Halifax. We’ve included everything from bustling downtown neighbourhoods to suburbs with plenty of space, so there’s something for everyone.

Where is the cheapest place to rent in Halifax 

1. Fall River

Average rent in Fall River

Fall River is consistently among the cheapest areas to rent in the city, with an average rent price of $2,113/month for an unfurnished one-bedroom unit.

Neighbourhood breakdown: Fall River

About: Fall River boasts a blend of old rustic and modern homes, complemented by the wide variety of state parks. Families enjoy the plethora of green spaces, alongside various housing choices from single-family homes to apartments. Parents will be glad to hear the Fall River school district is considered to be one of the best in the metro area.

Rental housing in Fall River:

• Studio apartments for rent: Fall River
• One-bedroom units for rent: Fall River
• Two-bedroom units for rent: Fall River

2. West End

Average rent in West End

West End is second in terms of cheap rent prices as of the time of publishing, with a one-bedroom unfurnished unit renting for an average of $2,203/month.

Neighbourhood breakdown: West End

About: West End is known for being a laid-back neighbourhood offering a variety of restaurants, bakeries and independent stores. Halifax Shopping Centre offers a one-stop shop for anyone with an interest in fashion, with dozens of fashion brands of all types. Renters appreciate the area’s accessibility being positioned right next to the city centre, the West End is always buzzing.

Rental housing in West End:

• Studio apartments for rent: West End
• One-bedroom units for rent: West End
• Two-bedroom units for rent: West End

3. Albro Lake

Average rent in Albro Lake

Albro Lake is home to many public parks providing plenty of green space for its residents. Despite this, the area has some of the cheapest rent prices in the city with an average rental price of $2,262, making it the third-cheapest overall.

Neighbourhood breakdown: Albro Lake

About: Albro Lake charms residents with expansive green spaces, including parks and trails, creating a serene, family-friendly environment. With everything a new family could need from elementary schools to public libraries, the area offers a suburban lifestyle but with great accessibility to the downtown area. This provides renters with the perfect balance of having nature on their doorstep while still being close to the city.

Rental housing in Albro Lake:

• Studio apartments for rent: Albro Lake
• One-bedroom units for rent: Albro Lake
• Two-bedroom units for rent: Albro Lake

4. Clayton Park West

Average rent in Clayton Park West

Clayton Park West offers something for everyone, but this comes at a price. The average price of a unit comes in at $2,296, making it the fourth cheapest place to rent in the city.

Neighbourhood breakdown: Clayton Park West

About: Clayton Park West is a shopping hub with access to many different large retailers in the area. With big names like Walmart and Costco, you won’t have to travel far to get everything you need. The area’s residential landscape blends newer developments with established communities, providing a quieter alternative to downtown living. Renters benefit from a growing neighbourhood with a range of housing options, family-friendly amenities, and proximity to schools and recreational facilities.

Rental housing in Clayton Park West:

• Studio apartments for rent: Clayton Park West
• One-bedroom units for rent: Clayton Park West
• Two-bedroom units for rent: Clayton Park West

5. Fairview

Average rent in Fairview

Fairview is home to plenty of green spaces, shopping, restaurants, and more – all of this leaving its rent prices among the highest in the city. As of the time of writing, a one-bedroom unit in Fairview rents for an average of $2,339/month.

Neighbourhood breakdown: Fairview

About: Fairview boasts a vibrant city core teeming with dining, entertainment, and cultural offerings. Fairview boasts a healthy mix of eclectic old homes as well as plenty of modern developments, providing a walkable lifestyle with convenient access to public transportation and nearby amenities. Renters love the bustling atmosphere and proximity to amenities like the Canada Games Centre or the Halifax Shopping Centre.

Rental housing in Fairview:

• Studio apartments for rent: Fairview
• One-bedroom units for rent: Fairview
• Two-bedroom units for rent: Fairview

How to find cheap places to rent in Halifax

The best way to find cheap apartments and homes for rent in Halifax is to browse listings online. In today’s rental market, most landlords will post their properties for rent on one of the many popular listing sites, where renters can message them for details, submit applications, and even sign a lease agreement.

Searching for listings on liv.rent is quick, easy, and safe. Watch the video below for a step-by-step tutorial on searching efficiently using liv.rent’s various filters and features:

How to avoid rental scams in Halifax

When choosing where to search for listings, it’s always best to prioritize platforms with built-in security measures, since rental scams are becoming more prevalent across Canada.

To help combat this danger, liv.rent manually verifies both landlords and listings to keep our users safe. We request that landlords verify their identity through government-issued photo ID, with listings verified through documents like property tax forms, or through a one-time code mailed to the physical address on file.

Regardless of where you search, these are some warning signs to look out for that mean you may be dealing with a rental scam:

• Scam #1 Rent is too low
  If the rental rate seems shockingly below the rental average for the city, this is a sign it could be a fake listing.
• Scam #2 Urgent demands for cash
  Renters don’t have to pay for anything until a lease is signed. So, if someone’s pressuring you to send cash now, don’t do it, it’s likely a scam.
• Scam #3 Too much info
  Until you’re 100% ready to move forward with a lease, you’re not obligated to share your bank account or SIN number with anyone.
• Scam #4 Not enough details
  While some smaller landlords may withhold unit numbers for privacy, you should know the exact address of the unit you’re looking at. Without that info, not only is it hard to understand what you are paying for but it is likely to be a scam.

Check out this video from one of our favourite YouTubers on how to rent your first apartment in Canada.

Pro tip: rent from ID-verified landlords on liv.rent to avoid scams.

Resources for Halifax renters

For more information on renting in Halifax including info on Nova Scotia rental law and guides for using liv.rent to streamline your rental process, renters can check out our blog for more up-to-date relevant information.

• The 8 best websites to find & post apartments for rent in Halifax
• Rental guide for Nova Scotia
• Nova Scotia Residential Tenancies Program
• Guide to finding off-campus housing
• The Ultimate Renter’s Guide To Using liv.rent

FAQ: The cheapest places to rent in Halifax

Is Halifax a good place to rent?

Halifax offers sprawling green spaces, plenty of shopping options, low commute times and rent lower than that of other cities in Canada. This makes it an attractive place to live for many.

Is Halifax a cheap place to live?

Halifax is not cheap, but it can be a cheaper option compared to other large Canadian cities. Looking at the most recent information the average rent in Halifax is $2,243/month.

Where is the highest rent in Halifax?

At the time of writing, the neighbourhood with the highest average rent prices in Halifax is Downtown Halifax with the average rent in that area being $3,149/month.

What is the most popular neighbourhood in Halifax?

The Downtown and Fall River neighbourhoods deserve an honourable mention as hotspots within Halifax. However, the North End neighbourhood takes the crown thanks to its proximity to the downtown core as well as the abundance of amenities in the area.

Is it hard to find rental housing in Halifax?

Finding a rental in Halifax has become harder in recent times as demand increases and vacancy rates fall, however, renters can still secure a place with the right tools. To boost your odds, it’s a good idea to set up listing alerts with your search parameters saved, and cast a wide net when applying for places.

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