Cost of Living in London, Ontario (2026)
London, Ontario offers lower rents than the Toronto area with a large hospital and university job base. Here is what housing, transit, utilities and taxes cost in the Forest City, with two sample budgets.
Get started free➜ Download the app➜
How much does it cost to live in London, Ontario?
The cost of living in London, Ontario for a single person renting a one-bedroom is typically about $2,650 to $3,550 a month, and about $5,900 to $8,450 for a family of four, based on CMHC rent data and typical household costs. Rent is the largest expense and remains well below the Greater Toronto Area, though it has risen quickly.
The cost of living in London, Ontario is moderate for the province. A single renter usually spends about $2,650 to $3,550 a month on essentials and modest extras, and a family of four about $5,900 to $8,450. That is well below Toronto or Mississauga, which is why London has attracted many people from the Greater Toronto Area in recent years.
London's major employers include hospitals, Western University, Fanshawe College, manufacturing and insurance. The costs to watch are rents that climbed quickly after 2020, the need for a car in many suburbs and the 13% HST on most purchases.
For the provincial picture, see our guide to budgeting in Ontario. If you are comparing southwestern Ontario cities, read the cost of living in Kitchener-Waterloo. Looking for the UK capital instead? See the cost of living in London, England.
Average rent in London, Ontario
Average rent in London, Ontario for a purpose-built one-bedroom was in the range of about $1,400 to $1,600 a month in CMHC's recent Rental Market Surveys (October 2024 and 2025). Newly listed units usually ask more than the survey average, because long-term tenants on older leases keep the average lower.
| Unit type | Typical range | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor | $1,050 to $1,250 | Older buildings downtown and in Old East Village |
| One bedroom | $1,400 to $1,600 | Widest choice; heat often included in older towers |
| Two bedroom | $1,700 to $2,000 | Common for couples, roommates and small families |
| Three bedroom | $2,000 to $2,500 | Mostly townhouses and houses in the suburbs |
Old North, Wortley Village and areas near Western cost more. Student houses near campus are often rented by the room. The south and east ends usually offer more space for the money. Ontario's rent increase guideline applies only to units first occupied before November 15, 2018. Check a listing against your income with our rent affordability calculator and see average rent in Canada for context.
Transit and getting around London
The London Transit Commission (LTC) runs the city's buses, and the city is building rapid transit corridors to speed up the busiest routes. An adult monthly pass has cost roughly $100 to $120 at recent fares. Western and Fanshawe students generally get a bus pass through their fees.
Many Londoners drive, especially in newer suburbs such as Byron, Hyde Park and the southwest. Insurance, fuel, parking and maintenance commonly add $600 to $900 a month for a financed vehicle. VIA Rail and Highway 401 connect London to Toronto and Windsor, which helps people who travel for work occasionally.
Taxes in London, Ontario: income tax, HST and property tax
- Sales tax. Ontario charges 13% HST on most purchases, combining the 5% GST with an 8% provincial portion.
- Provincial income tax. Ontario's lowest rate is 5.05%, rising in brackets, plus the Ontario Health Premium once taxable income passes $20,000.
- Federal income tax. The lowest federal rate is 14% for 2026, applied on top of the provincial amount. The Ontario take-home pay calculator shows your net pay.
- Property tax. Homeowners pay City of London and education property tax. There is no municipal land transfer tax, only Ontario's provincial one.
Budgets that update themselves
- Set monthly limits for every category
- See what is left to spend in real time
- Get a nudge before a category runs out
Utilities, phone and internet in London, Ontario
London Hydro supplies electricity and water billing in the city, and Enbridge Gas supplies natural gas. Ontario households can choose time-of-use, tiered or ultra-low overnight electricity pricing, and the Ontario Electricity Rebate is applied to most residential bills.
For a one-bedroom apartment where the tenant pays hydro, utilities usually total about $110 to $190 a month. Many older rental towers include heat and water. A detached house commonly runs $230 to $380 in winter. Add about $130 to $180 for internet and one phone plan.
Sample monthly budget for London, Ontario
These budgets are illustrative ranges built from CMHC rents, LTC fares and typical household costs. They are not an official statistic. The family budget assumes two adults, two children, one car and one transit pass.
| Category | Single person | Family of four |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,400 to $1,600 (1-bed) | $2,000 to $2,500 (3-bed) |
| Utilities | $110 to $190 | $230 to $380 |
| Internet and phones | $130 to $180 | $190 to $260 |
| Groceries | $350 to $450 | $1,200 to $1,500 |
| Transportation | $100 to $120 (LTC pass) | $700 to $1,050 (car plus pass) |
| Child care | None | About $500 to $1,000 |
| Insurance (tenant, life) | $20 to $40 | $60 to $120 |
| Personal, clothing, household | $150 to $250 | $350 to $500 |
| Entertainment and dining | $150 to $300 | $250 to $450 |
| Savings | $250 to $400 | $400 to $700 |
| Total | About $2,650 to $3,550 | About $5,900 to $8,450 |
Child care assumes a licensed centre in Ontario's Canada-wide early learning and child care system, where base fees for eligible children under six have been capped at $22 a day since January 2025. Waitlists are common. See the cost of raising a child in Canada.
Figures checked September 2026; confirm current numbers with CMHC, the London Transit Commission, the City of London and the Government of Ontario.
Budgeting in London, Ontario: practical tips
- Ask whether heat and water are included. In older towers they often are, which can save $100 or more a month.
- Avoid late-August lease hunting near Western and Fanshawe if you can, since student demand peaks then.
- Choose the electricity price plan that matches when you use power most.
- If you are moving from the Toronto area, redo your budget from scratch rather than assuming everything is cheaper. Car costs may rise even as rent falls.
- Track spending for a month before setting limits. EMOH Pay is free on iPhone, Android and the web, and PDF and Excel exports make it easy to review a month's spending.
- Compare your numbers with our guide to budgeting in Canada.
Plan your month in EMOH Pay
Put the numbers on autopilot
EMOH Pay tracks your spending, budgets and net worth on your phone and in the browser, always in sync. Free to start, made in Canada.
Get started free➜Cost of Living in London, Ontario (2026): frequently asked questions
Is London, Ontario a cheap place to live?
It is cheaper than the Greater Toronto Area, mainly because rent and home prices are lower. Taxes are the same across Ontario, and costs are broadly similar to Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo, with slightly lower rents in many cases.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in London, Ontario?
A single renter spending about $3,100 a month needs roughly $50,000 to $60,000 a year before tax to cover costs and still save. A family of four with one car usually needs a combined household income of about $100,000 or more.
Is London, Ontario cheaper than Kitchener-Waterloo?
Usually a little. Recent CMHC surveys have generally shown somewhat lower average rents in London for most unit sizes, while taxes and child care fees are the same. Job markets differ, so compare salaries too.
How much are utilities in London, Ontario?
Expect about $110 to $190 a month for hydro and water in a one-bedroom apartment and $230 to $380 for a house in winter. Older homes cost more to heat.
Can you commute from London to Toronto?
Daily commuting is hard, at around two hours each way by car or VIA Rail. London works best for people who work locally, remotely or travel to Toronto only occasionally.
Sources and further reading
Related guides and tools
Budgeting in Ontario: sales tax is 13% HST, minimum wage $17.20/hr, typical rent $2,000+/month. Toronto and Ottawa rents are…
Budgeting in Canada — Province GuideCost of living, sales tax and budgeting guidance for every Canadian province and territory. Free budgeting app made in…
Ontario Take-Home Pay CalculatorFree Ontario salary calculator for 2026. See federal and Ontario tax, CPP, EI and your monthly or bi-weekly take-home pay…
Cost of Living in Kitchener-Waterloo (2026)Cost of living in Kitchener-Waterloo for 2026: average rent, ION and GRT transit, the 13% HST, utilities and sample monthly…
Cost of Living in Hamilton (2026)Cost of living in Hamilton, Ontario for 2026: average rent, HSR and GO transit, the 13% HST, utilities and sample monthly…
Average Rent in Canada by City (2026)Average rent in Canada for 2026: typical one-bedroom ranges in 20 cities, why survey and asking rents differ, and how to…
Start free today
Free on iPhone, Android and the web. Upgrade to EMOH Pro anytime for bank sync and advanced AI.
Download for iOS➜ Get it on Android➜