Oshawa Rents Drop 10.8 Percent in Tariff-Hit Regions
Average rents in Oshawa fell nearly 11 percent over the last year, outpacing the national decline of 4.8 percent.
Key points
- Oshawa rents fell 10.8 percent over the past year, significantly outpacing the 4.8 percent national average.
- Calgary and Windsor are among the most tariff-exposed cities, with 21.4 percent of Alberta jobs in affected sectors.
- Steel fabrication costs rose 2.1 percent quarterly, impacting high-rise construction in Toronto and Vancouver.
Average rent prices in Oshawa, Ontario, decreased by 10.8 percent over the past year. This figure significantly exceeds the national average decline of 4.8 percent recorded across Canada.
A joint report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation links this disparity to trade tensions. Communities with high exposure to U.S. tariffs are experiencing sharper downward pressure on rental costs.
Regional exposure drives rent divergence
Calgary, Windsor, and Hamilton face the highest tariff exposure due to auto and energy sectors. Oshawa leads the decline, while Windsor sees only a 2.4 percent drop due to thin supply.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce data shows Alberta has 21.4 percent of jobs in exposed sectors. Ontario and Quebec also face heavy manufacturing exposure exceeding 10 percent of their workforces.
Construction costs rise with steel tariffs
U.S. tariffs on steel reached 50 percent, prompting equal Canadian countermeasures. Metal fabrication costs rose 2.1 percent quarter-over-quarter according to Statistics Canada data.
Structural steel prices increased by 7.2 percent since the first quarter of 2025. Toronto and Vancouver face double exposure as high-rise construction relies heavily on these materials.
Job losses tighten the rental market
Tariff-affected industries are implementing hiring freezes and reducing work hours. These labor market shocks push property owners to lower rents to secure tenants.
CTV News reports that uncertainty is causing renters to stay in their current homes. Developers are shelving projects as falling rents and rising material costs squeeze margins.
