Cost of Living in London, Ontario
One of the main reasons people move to London, Ontario is affordability. Compared with Toronto, Ottawa, or the Waterloo region, London offers a meaningfully lower cost of living — driven mostly by housing — while keeping big-city amenities like a university, major hospitals, and an international airport.
Here's how the major cost categories break down, and where London's advantage is largest.
Housing — the biggest difference
Housing is where London saves you the most. A typical London home sells for a fraction of a comparable Toronto property, and rents are similarly lower. For current numbers, the live market report shows London's median sold price and how it's trending.
London also has no municipal land transfer tax, unlike Toronto, so buyers pay thousands less at closing.
Utilities and property taxes
Utility costs (hydro, water, heating) are in line with the Ontario average and scale with the size of your home. Property taxes in London are set by the city's annual mill rate applied to your home's assessed value; on a median-priced home they are moderate relative to the GTA.
Transportation
London is a car-oriented city with quick highway access, so most households budget for a vehicle. Cross-town trips are typically short. London Transit provides bus service, and students and downtown residents can often manage without a car. Gas and insurance costs track the provincial average.
Everyday expenses
Groceries, dining, childcare, and entertainment in London are broadly comparable to the Ontario average — noticeably cheaper than in Toronto for dining and services, and on par for packaged goods. The overall effect is that a given household income stretches significantly further in London than in Canada's largest cities.
Frequently asked questions
Is London, Ontario an affordable place to live?
Yes. London, Ontario is considered affordable relative to Toronto, Ottawa, and the Waterloo region, primarily because housing costs far less. Utilities, transportation, and everyday expenses are close to the Ontario average.
How much cheaper is London, Ontario than Toronto?
Housing is the biggest gap — a typical London home costs a fraction of a comparable Toronto property, and London has no municipal land transfer tax. Dining and services also tend to cost less, while packaged goods are similar.
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