However, while several cities recorded increases in average rents despite high unemployment rates, a handful of Ontario municipalities experienced declines in average rent during the first nine months of 2025. On the other hand, unemployment rates rose slightly from 8.8 per cent in January to 8.9 per cent in September. Other Ontario cities, like Barrie, saw their rents decline more dramatically. Unemployment rates in the city rose slightly from 8.2 per cent in January to 8.8 per cent in September. Despite relief for some Ontario cities, others saw their rent prices increase, including Hamilton and Windsor, which recorded increases of $40 and $57, respectively.