iN NUMBERS: Kelowna vacancy rate spikes, rent cost climbs faster than Kamloops

The vacancy rate in Kelowna has been steadily climbing while Kamloops is the only city in B.C. to see its vacancy rate fall.

It would be reasonable to assume Kelowna’s surplus would mean rent prices would be rising slower than they are in Kamloops, but the numbers say that assumption is wrong.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation has put out its rental report for 2025. 

Here are the numbers:

• 6.4: Per cent is Kelowna’s vacancy rate. It’s the highest in B.C.
• 1.2: Per cent is Kamloops’ vacancy rate. It’s the lowest in B.C. and the only municipal vacancy rate that fell in 2025.
• 183: Bucks. That was the price increase for an average two-bedroom apartment in Kelowna in 2025. 
• 148: Bucks. That was the price increase for an average two-bedroom apartment in Kamloops in 2025. 
• 10,680: Units in Kelowna were behind on rent when CMHC collected its data for 2025 at the end of September, only counting row houses and buildings with three or more units.
• 5,135: Units in Kamloops were behind on rent when CMHC collected its data for 2025 at the end of September, only counting row houses and buildings with three or more units.
• 4.8: Per cent of British Columbians were behind on rent as of the end of September. 
• 223: Million dollars. That’s how much every renter in Kelowna is expected to pay each year combined. 
• 89.6: Million dollars. That’s how much every renter in Kamloops is expected to pay each year combined.