Renting in
Leslieville.
East Toronto's creative heartbeat — brunch spots, indie boutiques, and a tight community that proves east-end living is the move. If you're looking to rent in Leslieville, Toronto, this is where foodies, young families, and creative workers find their stride without leaving the city.
Leslieville is Queen Street East's coolest stretch — a walkable, creative neighbourhood that's earned its reputation as Toronto's brunch capital. The strip between Carlaw and Coxwell is lined with indie coffee shops, design studios, vintage boutiques, and some of the city's best independent restaurants. It's the kind of place where you know your barista's name.
The housing stock is a charming mix of converted industrial lofts and Victorian-era houses, giving the neighbourhood real architectural character. Former factories have become live-work spaces, galleries, and boutique retail. Film and TV production is a major local industry, with Pinewood Toronto Studios just south of the neighbourhood — you'll spot crew trucks on side streets regularly.
The community is tight. Young families with strollers share the sidewalk with dog walkers, freelancers working from cafe patios, and creatives heading to their studios. Gerrard East has its own quieter energy with farmers' markets and neighbourhood shops. Leslieville has gentrified significantly, but it still carries a grit and authenticity that newer neighbourhoods can't replicate.
| Unit Type | Avg. Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Bachelor | $1,500–$1,800 | Mostly older walk-ups and condo conversions |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,900–$2,400 | Victorian upper/lower units & newer condos |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,400–$3,000 | House conversions & low-rise apartments |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,900–$3,600 | Whole-house rentals & larger units |
Source: TRREB Rental Market Report Q4 2025 (Toronto East, leased apartments). Ranges reflect Leslieville-area variation by unit type, age, condition, and inclusions. Average rents across the GTA were down year-over-year in Q4 2025 — renters have real negotiating power right now.
What Your Dollar Gets You
Leslieville offers more character per dollar than comparable west-end neighbourhoods like Liberty Village or King West. Your rent gets you a unit in a Victorian house conversion or an older walk-up with actual charm — not a cookie-cutter condo tower.
The most common rentals are upper and lower units in converted Victorian and Edwardian houses, purpose-built low-rise apartments from the 60s-80s, and newer condo stock along Queen East. Whole-house rentals come up occasionally and go fast.
Many units include outdoor space — porches, small backyards, or shared patios — which is a real premium in Toronto's rental market. Parking is street permit or separate and not always included.
Transit & Key Distances
Leslieville is well-served by the 501 Queen and 504 King streetcar lines, which run along Queen Street East and connect you to downtown in about 20 minutes. The Broadview subway station (Line 2) is at the western edge of the neighbourhood, and Greenwood and Coxwell stations provide additional access points.
Union Station is 20 minutes by streetcar and subway. The Financial District is roughly 25 minutes door-to-door. The Beaches are just 5 minutes east, and Downtown East (Distillery, Corktown) is 10 minutes away.
Cycling is popular — the neighbourhood is flat and well-connected to Toronto's bike network. The Martin Goodman Trail and waterfront are easily accessible from the south end. Street parking requires a city permit; many rentals don't include dedicated spots, so factor that in if you drive.
What This Means for Renters
Leslieville's income profile reflects a solidly middle-to-upper-middle-income neighbourhood — median household income sits around $90,000. This is a mix of dual-income professional couples, creative industry workers, and young families who've traded downtown condos for more space on the east side.
For landlords, that income mix means they expect strong applications with verified income. The 55% renter population means decent turnover, but quality units — especially 2-bedrooms with outdoor space — move quickly. Come prepared with references, proof of income, and a complete application package to stand out.
We have access to every MLS® System listing in Leslieville and across Toronto. Submit your application and we'll have showings booked within 24 hours, subject to availability.
Start Your Application →Thinking of buying instead? Explore homes at TheHousingMarket.ca
Leslieville is one of Toronto's best east-end neighbourhoods for renters. You get a walkable, vibrant Queen Street East strip with indie restaurants, boutiques, and cafes — plus a strong community feel that's hard to find elsewhere in the city. The 501 and 504 streetcars connect you to downtown in about 20 minutes, and you're steps from The Beaches and the waterfront. The trade-off is that rents have climbed with gentrification, but you still get more character and space than comparable west-end neighbourhoods like Liberty Village.
Leslieville is widely considered Toronto's brunch capital. Lady Marmalade is the neighbourhood's most iconic spot, regularly drawing weekend lines down the block. You'll also find excellent options like Descendant Detroit Style Pizza for weekend slices, P&L Burger for casual eats, and dozens of independent cafes along Queen Street East. The neighbourhood takes brunch seriously — expect creative menus, quality ingredients, and a wait on weekends. If brunch culture matters to you, there's no better neighbourhood in the city.
Leslieville and the east end offer a more neighbourhood-oriented, community-driven feel compared to the west end's King West or Liberty Village. The east end attracts young families and creatives, while the west end skews more toward nightlife and condo living. Rents in Leslieville are generally comparable to Liberty Village, but you get more character, more independent businesses, and quieter residential streets. The east end also has quicker access to The Beaches and the waterfront trail. The west end wins on proximity to Entertainment District nightlife — the east end wins on day-to-day livability.
Leslieville's gentrification is well advanced but still ongoing. The industrial-to-residential conversion that defined the 2000s and 2010s has largely played out, but new condo developments continue along Queen East and the Gerrard corridor. Long-time independent shops coexist with newer boutiques and restaurants. Rents have risen significantly over the past decade, but the neighbourhood retains more grit and authenticity than fully gentrified areas like the Junction or Roncesvalles. For renters, the key implication is that prices are stable-to-rising — don't expect a bargain, but do expect genuine neighbourhood character. Read our full Ontario Rent Control Guide →
Very much so. Leslieville has become one of Toronto's top neighbourhoods for young families. You'll see strollers everywhere on Queen East on any given weekend. Greenwood Park and Jimmie Simpson Park provide excellent green space with playgrounds, splash pads, and sports facilities. There are quality public schools like Greenwood PS and Morse Street PS. The overall vibe is safe, walkable, and community-oriented. The neighbourhood also has a strong network of family-focused businesses, kid-friendly cafes, and community programming through local rec centres.
Leslieville's rental stock is a diverse mix of converted Victorian and Edwardian houses (upper and lower units), purpose-built low-rise apartments from the 60s-80s, and newer condo developments. About 55% of residents are renters, so there's decent turnover compared to owner-heavy suburbs. The most common rentals are 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units in older walk-up buildings or house conversions. Newer condo stock along Queen East and near the Gerrard corridor adds supply but tends to command higher rents. The 2025 GTA rental market softening has reached Leslieville — landlords are more flexible on pricing than in 2022–2023, but good units still move fast. Come prepared with your full application package.