Where in Canada car ownership is rising and falling

Toronto has the lowest rate of car ownership among Canada’s largest cities, while Calgary remains the most reliant on personal vehicles, according to new data from Turo.

The company’s State of Car Ownership in Canada 2026 report highlighted regional differences in ownership rates, costs and commuting habits across Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.

“The way Canadians think about car ownership is increasingly shaped by the city they live in,” said Bassem El-Rahimy, head of Turo Canada.

In Toronto, 72 per cent of residents reported owning a vehicle, below the national average of 85 per cent. Cost pressures appear to be a factor, with 40 per cent of drivers saying car ownership limits spending in other areas. Ontario drivers spend an average of $5,575 annually on vehicle ownership, 26 per cent more than in British Columbia.

Quebec saw one of the largest year-over-year shifts, with ownership falling eight percentage points to 79 per cent. Despite this, the province has the lowest average ownership cost at $4,067 per year.

In British Columbia, 79 per cent of residents own a vehicle, up three percentage points from 2025, while average ownership costs declined to $4,432. Vancouver drivers report using their vehicles 5.2 days per week on average, above the national average of five days per week.

Calgary continues to show the highest level of vehicle reliance among major cities. Here, 93 per cent of residents report owning or leasing a vehicle, and 51 per cent of commuters travel to work by car, compared to 39 per cent in Toronto and 28 per cent in Montreal.

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