Sudbury's high rents part of national trend

Income inequality is increasing in Sudbury, according to Statistics Canadas National Household Survey.

The report, which focuses on income and the affordability of housing, says one in five people in Greater Sudbury are paying more than 30 percent of their income on rent.

That number's significant, because the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation says that anyone spending more than 30 per cent of their income on housing has crossed something they call the "affordability threshold."

That means it becomes a lot harder to save enough for groceries, education or any other important expenses.

Sudbury resident Brenda Davidson, who sets aside half of every paycheck for rent, says she's frustrated by the high cost of living in Sudbury.

"It adds up, definitely. You have to count your pennies, plain and simple," she said. "I'm sure it's not just here. It's everywhere."

Davidson isn't alone. Across Canada, more than one in four Canadians are over the affordability threshold.

Read more for the report below: