Finding roommates or a room to rent in Edmonton can seem like a daunting task, especially for those who have just arrived in Canada. However, there are many resources and platforms in the city to help you find affordable shared accommodation. The average cost of renting a room in Edmonton ranges from $600 to $900 per month depending on the area, amenities, and whether utilities are included. This is significantly cheaper than renting a separate apartment, where the average price for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,293–$1,360 per month.
Main online platforms for finding shared accommodation
Kijiji — Canada's most popular classifieds website
Kijiji is one of the most popular platforms in Canada for finding shared accommodation. The site has over 460 listings for rooms to rent in Edmonton alone. To find shared accommodation, go to the “Room Rentals & Roommates” section and select the “Shared Accommodation” category. Room prices start at $500 and can reach $1,000 or more depending on amenities and location. The main advantage of Kijiji is its widespread popularity among locals, which ensures a large number of relevant ads. However, you should be wary of possible scams, as the platform does not verify all ads.
Roomies.ca — a specialized platform for finding roommates
Roomies.ca is a Canadian platform specifically designed for finding roommates and shared housing. The site features over 20,000 listings across Canada, including Edmonton. The platform offers convenient search tools and detailed user profiles, making it easy to find compatible roommates. Registration, posting ads, and communicating with potential roommates is free. In addition, there is a special section for students looking for housing. The downside may be a smaller user base compared to Kijiji or Facebook.
Facebook — groups for finding housing and roommates
Facebook offers numerous groups dedicated to finding housing and roommates in Edmonton. Among the most popular is the Edmonton AB Roommates group, which specializes in finding roommates in the city. There is also the Edmonton Apartments, Houses, Rooms For Rent group, moderated by Lisa Ruffiange, who carefully checks ads before publication, removing suspicious offers. For University of Alberta students, the University of Alberta Off Campus Housing & Roommate Search group will be useful, and for students of other educational institutions — RentWhiz Edmonton.
Particularly valuable for Ukrainian newcomers are the groups “Edmonton Hosts Ukrainians,” “NEWCOMERS IN EDMONTON,” and “Edmonton, Alberta Newcomer Tips, Visiting and Living in Edmonton.” In these groups, you can find not only housing ads, but also useful advice from fellow Ukrainians and local residents.
iROOMit — a platform with innovative features
iROOMit is a modern platform for finding roommates that uses artificial intelligence to match compatible candidates. Its unique features include the ability to conduct online tours to show rooms to potential tenants and verify users' identities, phone numbers, and email addresses. The platform has mobile apps for iOS and Android, making the search convenient. The site features over 60,000 rooms and 80,000 tenants in various cities, including Edmonton.
Roomster — international platform
Roomster is an international platform that operates in 192 countries around the world, including Canada. At the time of our search, there were 53 listings in Edmonton. The platform offers phone and email verification for added security, as well as free listings. With its international reach, Roomster can be useful for those looking for roommates from different countries.
Roomgo (formerly Easyroommate) — an experienced platform
Roomgo, formerly known as Easyroommate, has positioned itself as the #1 platform for finding roommates in Canada since 1999. Over the past year, the site has been visited by over 1.5 million users. To search in Edmonton, you need to go to the Canadian version of the site. The platform allows you to post room listings and create profiles for those looking for accommodation.
RentFaster — an Alberta-based platform
RentFaster is a popular platform focused on the Alberta market. It is considered a reliable source for finding rentals among locals and students. The platform is paid for landlords, which ensures higher quality listings and less fraud compared to free alternatives. The site has a “Shared” category for finding shared accommodation.
liv.rent — a platform with verified listings
liv.rent stands out from other platforms in that it requires landlords to verify their identity and ownership of the property. This significantly reduces the risk of encountering scammers. The platform also offers free chat, storage of correspondence history, and signed documents in one place. For those looking for budget options, there is a special section with rooms up to $700 per month.
Zumper and PadMapper — ad aggregators
Zumper offers 26 ads for rooms for rent in Edmonton with detailed descriptions and search filters. The platform shows the average rent in the city and its dynamics, which helps you navigate prices. PadMapper collects ads from various sources and displays them on a map, allowing you to visually assess the location of available housing. The platform features over 2,262 ads in Edmonton.
Resources for students
Students have additional options for finding shared accommodation. Places4Students is a specialized platform for finding off-campus accommodation that works with over 225 colleges and universities in North America. Here you can not only find accommodation, but also search for potential roommates among students.
NAIT recommends several resources for students to find housing, including RentFaster, Places4Students, and its own homestay partnership program through the Canada Homestay Network. MacEwan University offers a pilot project with discounts on off-campus housing in complexes such as The Switch and The Parks.
Students will also find the platforms uhomes.com and University Living useful, which specialize in student housing and offer fully furnished apartments with modern amenities.
Resources for Ukrainian newcomers
Ukrainians who have arrived in Edmonton can take advantage of special resources to find housing. Civida offers a housing support program for Ukrainian refugees, which includes apartments at prices 10-20% below market rates. For assistance, please contact them by email or by phone at 780-702-4545.
The Alberta government is working with New Journey Housing to help Ukrainians find long-term housing. Information about support is available on the Ukrainians in Alberta website or by email.
Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Edmonton provides information and support to new Ukrainian arrivals, including assistance with housing. The organization is located at 11717 – 97th Street, Edmonton, and has an active Facebook page with useful information.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) provides comprehensive services for newcomers, including assistance with finding housing and orientation in the city. Newcomer Centre Edmonton helps newcomers adapt to the city and provides information on various aspects of life, including housing.
Typical prices for shared accommodation in Edmonton
Rent for a room in a shared house in Edmonton is usually between $600 and $900 per month. Prices depend on several factors: the size of the room, whether it has its own bathroom, whether utilities (electricity, internet, heating) are included, whether it is furnished, and its proximity to the city center or public transportation.
Kijiji has 66 listings for rooms with utilities included, with prices starting at $500. Furnished rooms with utilities included typically cost between $625 and $800 per month. Some landlords offer special rates for women, students, or working people.
How to avoid scams when looking for housing
Edmonton police and experts warn of an increase in scams in the rental market. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, using fake ads, stolen photos, and pressure tactics to deceive tenants.
Key signs of fraud include:
- A price that is too low compared to market rates — if an offer seems too good to be true, it is cause for suspicion
- The landlord refuses to meet in person or says they are abroad
- Requests to transfer money before viewing the property or signing a contract
- Photos that look like stock photos or appear in several ads at once
- Grammatical errors or misspellings in company names
To protect yourself from scammers, we recommend:
- Always inspect the property in person or via video call before making any payments
- Verify the information — make sure that the landlord is the actual owner of the property
- Never transfer cash or large sums of money before signing an official lease agreement
- Use trusted platforms with user verification, such as liv.rent or actively moderated Facebook groups
- Contact a real estate agent or property management agency for additional protection
If you have been a victim of fraud, contact the police and report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
What to ask a potential roommate
Before agreeing to live together, it is important to thoroughly discuss expectations with potential roommates. Key topics for discussion include:
- Cleanliness standards — how often to clean, whether dirty dishes are allowed in the sink
- daily routine — who gets up early, who goes to bed late, whether quiet is needed for studying
- guests and parties — are overnight guests, parties, and frequent visits from friends acceptable
- pets — are there any pets, are there any allergies to them
- financial issues — how to split rent, utilities, who is responsible for certain payments
It is recommended to conclude a written agreement between roommates separately from the lease agreement, where all agreements will be recorded. Meet with a potential roommate in person before making a decision.