Renting in
Scarborough.
The most diverse place in North America, the best ethnic food in Canada, and rents that actually let you breathe. Scarborough is 650,000 people strong with the Bluffs, Rouge Park, and Toronto Zoo in its backyard — and it's still the GTA's best-kept rental secret. If you're looking to rent in Scarborough, Toronto, this is where your dollar goes furthest without leaving the city.
Scarborough isn't one neighbourhood — it's a former city spanning dozens of communities from the lakefront Bluffs to the northern boundary at Steeles Avenue. It covers Agincourt, Malvern, Scarborough Town Centre, Guildwood, Birch Cliff, Highland Creek, and many more. Each pocket has its own character, its own food scene, its own rhythm.
What ties it all together is staggering diversity. 73% of Scarborough residents are visible minorities, making it one of the most diverse places in North America. South Asian, Chinese, Caribbean, Filipino, and Tamil communities are all deeply rooted here with generations of cultural infrastructure — temples, mosques, community centres, grocery stores, and restaurants that are the real deal.
The food alone is worth the move. Scarborough has the best ethnic food in the GTA, arguably in Canada. Indian-Chinese fusion, Hakka, Jamaican patties, dim sum, Vietnamese pho, Sri Lankan kottu — all within a 15-minute drive of each other, and all at prices that make downtown restaurateurs weep.
| Unit Type | Avg. Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Bachelor | $1,400–$1,650 | Limited supply — mostly older buildings |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,800–$2,200 | Toronto avg higher; Scarborough is the value play |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,200–$2,700 | Best value within Toronto city limits |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,800–$3,400 | Townhouses and older apartments available |
Source: TRREB Rental Market Report Q4 2025 (Toronto, leased apartments). Ranges reflect Scarborough-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
Scarborough is the best value play within the City of Toronto. A $2,400 budget that gets you a tight one-bedroom downtown gets you a proper two-bedroom with parking in Scarborough. The 20-30% discount over downtown is real and consistent.
The rental stock is a mix of older purpose-built apartment towers from the 1960s-70s (many rent-controlled), basement suites in detached homes, newer condo units near Scarborough Town Centre, and townhouses in family-oriented pockets like Agincourt and Highland Creek.
Many older buildings include heat, water, and sometimes hydro in the rent — a significant savings that isn't reflected in the headline numbers. Always ask what's included.
Transit & Roads
Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) runs east to Kennedy Station, which is the main transit gateway for Scarborough. The old Line 3 (Scarborough RT) has been replaced by bus service, with the Eglinton East LRT planned as its successor.
The GO Lakeshore East line serves Guildwood and Rouge Hill stations, offering a 30-40 minute ride into Union Station — a faster option than the TTC for south Scarborough residents.
TTC bus routes are extensive along the major corridors: Kingston Road, Lawrence, Eglinton, McCowan, and Markham Road. Service frequency varies — main arteries are solid, but north-south connections can be slow.
By car, Highway 401 runs through the heart of Scarborough with DVP access on the west side. Driving downtown takes 30-45 minutes outside of rush hour. Be realistic though: Scarborough is car-first for most residents. Walk Scores range from 40-70 depending on your specific area.
What This Means for Renters
Scarborough's median household income sits around $58,000 — below the Toronto average, reflecting the area's working-class character. Over a third of households earn under $50K, which is a higher share of lower-income households than most other parts of the city.
For renters, this means the rental market is priced accordingly. Landlords know their tenant base and price competitively. You won't face the same bidding war intensity as downtown. The 2025 market softening has pushed vacancy rates up in Scarborough's newer condo stock, giving tenants real leverage.
With 38% of households renting, Scarborough has a much healthier rental market than suburban areas where renters are a small minority. You're not an outlier here — you're the norm.
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Scarborough is excellent value for renters. It's the most affordable area within Toronto city limits, with an incredible food scene and massive diversity. You get more space for less money than anywhere else in the 416. The trade-offs are real though: longer commutes to downtown (45-60 minutes), car-dependency outside the main transit corridors, and less nightlife than the core. If your priorities are value, space, community, and food — Scarborough delivers.
Based on TRREB MLS® leased transaction data for Q4 2025, Scarborough averages sit at roughly $1,950 for a one-bedroom and $2,400 for a two-bedroom. That's 20-30% below downtown Toronto for comparable units, making Scarborough the best value within city limits. Rents across the GTA were down year-over-year in 2025, giving tenants real negotiating power — especially in Scarborough's newer condo stock.
Like any large area with 650,000 people, safety varies by neighbourhood. The Bluffs, Guildwood, Highland Creek, and Agincourt are very safe family areas with low crime rates. Some pockets, particularly around certain social housing clusters, have higher crime. The key is to research specific streets and intersections before signing a lease. Don't write off all of Scarborough based on headlines — it's an enormous area with vastly different micro-neighbourhoods.
Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) runs to Kennedy Station, then transfer to Line 1 south. Realistic commute: 45-60 minutes to Union Station depending on where in Scarborough you start. GO Lakeshore East from Guildwood or Rouge Hill stations takes 30-40 minutes into Union — a faster option for south Scarborough. By car via 401 and DVP, expect 30-45 minutes outside of rush hour. During peak times, add 15-30 minutes to any of these estimates.
Agincourt — incredible food scene, reasonable transit, and a strong Asian community. Birch Cliff / Cliffside — emerging area near the Bluffs with a growing independent restaurant scene. Scarborough Town Centre — the transit hub with growing condo supply and walkable amenities. Guildwood — quiet, established, with GO Train access and lakefront proximity. Each area has a different feel, so it's worth visiting before committing to a lease.
Scarborough actually has a higher proportion of rent-controlled units than many other parts of Toronto. The area's large stock of purpose-built apartment buildings from the 1960s and 1970s are rent controlled under Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act (first occupied before November 15, 2018). Downtown's condo-heavy rental market has fewer protected units by comparison. Newer buildings in Scarborough — particularly condos near STC — are exempt. Always confirm with your landlord before signing. Read our full Ontario Rent Control Guide →