Kensington Market Toronto Apartments, Condos and Houses for Rent

Perhaps one of Toronto's most paradoxical and diverse neighbourhoods is Kensington, or Kensington Market. At once, it's home to a small army of anarchists, hippies, drug counterculture soldiers, writers, artists, immigrants, entrepreneurs and LGBTQ activists. Named for the famous market that draws visitors from across the city as much as tourists, the neighbourhood is home to independent cafes and bakeries, a flurry of festivals, cannabis boutiques and art shops. Decades ago, Kensington Market was a students-only universe, but ever since the 1990s, immigrant entrepreneurs have taken over. Now, more than half of Kensington residents are non-Caucasian; meanwhile hipster culture is moving in on the community, attracted by the anti-corporate attitude that prevails here and is opening up upscale but independent stores and cafes. Housing here is as varied as the residents, including brightly painted Victorians, tiny apartments that hover above street-level shops, new townhouses and some condo buildings. The average income in the area is just over half of the Toronto's average, yet while there are some small, run-down rentals available for below-average rates, many nicer apartments, condos and houses command dollar figures that surpass the city average as well.

The Market

Avg. rent by housing type and size

Studio apartment: $996
1-bedroom: $1,348
2-bedroom: $1,726
3-bedroom: $2,500
Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods
Kensington Market is 11% lower than TO average

Typical housing type

Victorians built pre-1900 painted bubblegum pink, teal, or some other bright colour, as well as small low-rise apartments

Kensington Market Rental Options: There are many Kensington Market apartments for rent, and the come in many different forms. It is very common to sections of houses for rent in Kensington market and some apartment buildings with units for rent.

The market is the main element of the Kensington Market lifestyle, where residents come together to catch up and check out what other stalls are selling. But there's much more to the neighbourhood than its namesake market, and smaller markets exist if you know where to look. A solid Rastafarian community here initiated a small flea market and hosts get-togethers with music, singing and toking, as do the few local cannabis cafes. Live performances are a regular occurrence here at a few indoor venues such as Videofag, but the local squares and parks often play host to impromptu performances from members of the neighbourhood's vibrant arts scene. In general, hanging around with friends is a favourite pastime in Kensington Market, with the independent cafes, bookstores, vintage shops, market stalls and ethnic eateries being among the top destinations. On Pedestrian Sundays, virtually the whole community shuts down to cars and becomes pedestrian-only.