iN PHOTOS: What $1,500 in rent gets you in Kamloops and the Okanagan

The cost of living and renting has gone nowhere but up since the pandemic. It wasn't long ago that $1,500 was an onerous mortgage payment, but we wanted to see what that amount would get if you rented somewhere throughout the Okanagan or Kamloops. 

We went through some current listings to find some comparables based on price. We started earlier this week but, in a sign of the times, several of the units were gone before we could get them on the page. Each of these listings has a link, but they may not work by the time you read this.

A lot of listings don't include a lot of information, making it very difficult to find something that suits you, rather than just what's available, perhaps another sign of a very tough rental market in the region.

KAMLOOPS

For $1,500 per month, this 800-square-foot brand new one-bedroom basement suite was listed this week.

That much money could also afford the top floor of an older house which is a two-bedroom unit, though the square footage is not listed.

Here's a one-bedroom furnished basement suite at the rate of $1,500 per month.

SALMON ARM

Salmon Arm is comparable to Kamloops. We found an 850 square-foot one-bedroom unit in a house for $1,450 per month.

VERNON

In Vernon, $1,500 can afford a plain two-bedroom apartment, albeit the amount of space is not listed.

Another rental for $1,500 in Vernon is a 900-square foot two-bedroom so-called "dream suite."

Or for $1,450 in Vernon, there is an 866-square foot two-bedroom apartment available.

LAKE COUNTRY

Things get more dicey in the Central Okanagan. In Lake Country, $1,500 can afford a 600-square-foot two-bedroom waterfront suite.

KELOWNA

$1,500 can get you a top floor apartment in downtown Kelowna that is just two years old, however it is a 313-square-foot studio.

For anyone who can live with even less space, that same amount can get you a 260-square-foot one-bedroom apartment to the north of downtown.

A few blocks from downtown Kelowna, a two-bedroom apartment is available for $1,550, though the amount of space is not listed.

WEST KELOWNA

In West Kelowna, a 592-square-foot one-bedroom apartment is on the market for $1,525.

PEACHLAND

In Peachland there is a one-bedroom studio suite available for $1,500 a month, although the amount of space is not listed and a balcony is the only photo posted. 

SUMMERLAND

In the same price range, Summerland has a one-bedroom apartment available for $1,588 per month, however the listing again neglects to mention the square footage.

PENTICTON

In Penticton there is an 856-square-foot one-bedroom apartment for $1,500.

Or for $1,528 monthly, renters can have a 622 square-foot one-bedroom apartment in Penticton.

Also in Penticton, a 900 square-foot one-bedroom suite in the Sendero Canyon neighbourhood is available for $1,550.

SOUTH OKANAGAN

South of Penticton rentals appear to be cheaper and it can be difficult to find rates around the $1,500 range.

Okanagan Falls has a bachelor suite available for $1,150 per month, though again the size is not listed.

For only $1,200, a 1,200 square-foot two-bedroom basement apartment is available between Oliver and Osoyoos.

Within Osoyoos is a two-bedroom apartment for $1,425, although the amount of space is not listed.

If these prices seem high, we also looked around the region — and the country — for comparables and to see what's at the top of the range, like this $12,000 monthly rate for a four-bedroom single family home in Kelowna. 

If that’s not expensive enough, renters can move to Vancouver where a seven-bedroom mansion is available for $50,000 monthly.

 

If location isn't important, rent seems to be a little more affordable in Lethbridge, Alberta, where $1,500 can get a 600 square-foot three-bedroom duplex.

For anybody willing to live in small-town Saskatchewan, you'll find it much cheaper. An 850-square-foot two-bedroom apartment is on the market in Tisdale, Saskatchewan for just $950 each month.

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