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Average Rent in Kamloops in 2026: What the Latest Numbers Say

June 19, 2026

If you're hunting for a place in Kamloops in 2026 — or thinking about renting one out — the first question is always the same: what does it actually cost? Rent figures get thrown around a lot, so we went to the source. Here's what the most recent official data says, where it comes from, and what it means for you.

The headline number

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Rental Market Survey, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Kamloops was $1,679 as of October 2025 — the latest reading available heading into 2026. That's up from $1,531 the year before and $1,498 in 2023, an increase of roughly 10% in a single year.

CMHC runs this survey every October and publishes it in December, so these are the current authoritative numbers until the next update lands at the end of 2026. If you see a Kamloops rent figure online with no date attached, this is the one to check it against.

Rent by unit type

Averages hide a lot. CMHC also splits rents between units that recently changed tenants ("turnover") and units where the same tenant stayed put ("non-turnover") — and the gap is real. For October 2025, the non-turnover (sitting tenant) averages were roughly:

  • Studio: about $1,267
  • One-bedroom: about $1,271
  • Two-bedroom: about $1,584
  • Three-bedroom: about $1,951

The takeaway: tenants who stay in place generally pay less than the market rate, while units that turn over tend to reset higher. If you're already in a good rental, there's a real dollar cost to moving — even within the same city.

Why it's so hard to find a place

Price is only half the story. Kamloops' vacancy rate sat at just 1.2% in October 2025, down from 1.4% the year before. For comparison, the national average across major centres was about 3.1%. A vacancy rate that low means listings move fast and competition is stiff — even though hundreds of new units were added to the city in 2025.

The turnover rate — the share of units that changed hands — climbed to 17.6%, up from 14.7% a year earlier. More people are moving, but with so few empty units at any given moment, you still need to be ready to act when something good appears. Statistics Canada's quarterly rent data tells the same broad story across the country: rents have climbed steadily, and tight markets like Kamloops feel it most.

The 2026 rent-increase cap

If you're already renting, here's good news worth knowing. In B.C., the maximum a landlord can raise rent on an existing tenancy is set each year by the province. For 2026, the cap is 2.3% — down from 3% in 2025. A few rules that protect you:

  • Rent can only be increased once every 12 months.
  • Your landlord must give at least three full months' written notice.
  • The increase can't exceed the annual limit unless approved through a formal application.

You can read the official rules and use the province's calculator on the BC Residential Tenancy Branch rent-increases page. Note that the cap applies to a continuing tenancy — it does not limit what a landlord can ask for a brand-new tenant, which is exactly why those turnover rents run higher.

What this means for renters

With low vacancy and rising turnover rents, the renters who do best in Kamloops tend to be the prepared ones. Have your references, proof of income, and a short rental résumé ready before you start viewing. If you're in a place you like, weigh the 2.3% cap against what a fresh listing would cost you — staying put is often the cheaper move.

What this means for landlords

Demand is strong and vacancy is low, but a good, long-term tenant who renews under the annual cap saves you the cost and risk of turnover. Pricing a listing fairly and writing a clear, honest ad gets you more (and better) applicants than chasing the top of the market.

Find or list a Kamloops rental on BarterBin

BarterBin is a free, local marketplace rooted in B.C.'s interior — and we're building out a Rentals section made for the Okanagan and Kamloops. Whether you're searching for your next place or listing a suite of your own, you can do it locally and for free. Browse BarterBin to get started.

Figures cited are from the CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025 data, published December 2025) and the Government of British Columbia. Rent figures change — always confirm current numbers against the linked official sources before making a decision.