Discovering the cheapest places to live in Ontario? Ontario, the second-most expensive province in Canada, is home to many high-dollar cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Oakville. Meanwhile, this bustling province is also known for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife, giving residents a colourful and relaxed lived experience. If you’re looking to keep the cost of living down without sacrificing the fun and charm of Ontario, learn about some of the cheapest places to live in Ontario! The blog will directly unlock the most affordable places to live in Ontario to save you time and energy on information searches.
Key Takeaways about Cheapest Places to Live in Ontario
- When evaluating the cheapest places to live in Ontario, we must balance the cheap housing and other living expenses against the pleasure and convenience of living in a large city.
- Besides Toronto, job opportunities in small and medium-sized cities have also increased. The lower living costs and cheaper housing options in these cities will attract labourers and new house buyers. For example, the cheapest region in Ontario is Northern Ontario, with its overall costs about 30%—50% less than the Ontario average.
- Even for Toronto living, there are some affordable neighbourhoods for you to choose from.
What Makes a Place “Affordable”?
To figure out whether the place is affordable or not, we shouldn’t consider the house and rent prices only. The everyday living expenses, like transportation, food, and utilities, are also significant. Meanwhile, we can’t forget job opportunities, average salaries, and the convenience and pleasure of living there. Sometimes, a place with a higher rent may need you to pay less for other expenses. Therefore, we need to strike a balance.
Top 8 Cheapest Places to Live in Ontario
On average, the cost of living in Ontario is about $2,255. Buying a house in Ontario costs about $6,452—$8,267 per square meter, while renting a 1-bedroom apartment needs around $1,429. The overall costs in Toronto, the largest city in the province with better career prospects, are above the Ontario average. However, as the Canadian economy is rapidly increasing, there are many affordable cities in Ontario that also offer various work opportunities. The blog will evaluate some of the cheapest regions and cities in the next part. For example, the cheapest place to live in Ontario is Northern Ontario, with its overall costs about 30%—50% less than the Ontario average. Sault Ste. Marie is one of the most affordable cities in Ontario, with its general living expenses 50%—70% below the province average.
| Items | Ontario | Northern Ontario | Sault Ste. Marie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Costs of Living | $2,255 | $1,644 | $1,495 |
| House Prices, 1㎡or 10ft² | $6,452—$8,267 | $2,733—$5,273 | $1,912—$5,697 |
| Rent Prices, 40㎡ or 430ft² | $1,429 | $740—$1,320 | $653—$801 |
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario boasts a huge area of ancient forests and over 2,000 miles of snowmobile trails. It must be the haven of outdoor sports enthusiasts. Residents and tourists come to canoe, fish, hike, kayak, and more. At the same time, the area is also the cheapest place to live in Ontario. The transportation costs (especially car insurance costs) in Northern Ontario are low.
Sault Ste. Marie
- Population: 73,400
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $1,912—$5,697
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $653—$801
- Cost of living: $1,495
- Monthly salary after tax: $2,480
Sault Ste. Marie is the cheapest place to live in Ontario Canada. With a direct bridge to its sister city in Michigan, it is effortless for these 2 cities to connect in the fields of education, employment, and tourism. In addition, the work and study commute in Sault Ste Marie is the second shortest. Residents living here can enjoy a comfortable and relaxed pace of life.
Timmins
- Population: 41,800
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $2,519—$4,347
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $957—$962
- Cost of living: $1,828
- Monthly salary after tax: $2,961
Timmins, known as a “Heart of Gold”, is experiencing an economic boom. Mining and forestry are the main industries in Timmins. Since Timmins is among the most affordable cities in Ontario, the residents here will find it easy to buy a property and start a family. If you want to escape the pressure of modern life and get close to nature, Timmins must be a suitable choice.
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is the most densely populated region. It is also a large manufacturing sector closely connected to the bordering cities in New York and Michigan. In this way, it is easy for residents to get job offers. In Southern Ontario, the living expenses are just a little cheaper than the province’s average, but its home prices are much lower, especially in those medium and small-sized cities, like London and Sarnia.
London
- Population: 422,000
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $2,833—$3,403
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $1,095—$1,356
- Cost of living: $2,067
- Monthly salary after tax: $3,088
London is famous for its rich culture and outstanding social services, including affordable amenities, healthcare, and education. The city has many prestigious educational institutions, such as the University of Western Ontario, and renowned museums, like the London Children’s Museum. Therefore, there are many international students who choose to study in London. If you are a member, you can rent a London student apartment close to your university through uhomes.com. Enjoy a cheaper price with the highest cashback guaranteed and the utility bills included. In addition to the cost of housing, London, among the cheapest places to live in Southern Ontario, is a suitable city for budget-conscious dwellers. A meal for 2 only costs $60.8.
Sarnia
- Population: 75,000
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $4,477—$5,666
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $767—$956
- Cost of living: $1,614
- Monthly salary after tax: $2,381
Sarnia, located on Lake Huron’s shores, is one of the cheapest places to live in Ontario, perfect for those who prefer to find a home close to the water. Besides Sarnia housing, the other living costs in this city are affordable as well, 28% less than the province average. As for the employment outlook, the city borders America, and many oil refineries and chemical plants are gathering here. Residents living in Sarnia will not be short of job opportunities.
Eastern Ontario
Eastern Ontario is bounded by 2 rivers, Ottawa River and St. Lawrence River. Those who prefer riverside living and beautiful beaches will fall in love with the region. Kingston and Cornwall are the 2 economic urban centers in Eastern Ontario. They are also some of the cheapest cities to live in Ontario, with convenient amenities, high-salary jobs, and low costs.
Kingston
- Population: 124,000
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $2,584—$3,551
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $627—$840
- Cost of living: $1,412
- Monthly salary after tax: $3,471
Kingston, titled “Limestone City”, boasts beautiful historic buildings. While enjoying its historic charm, residents also benefit from lower Kingston housing rent and living expenses but higher salaries.
Cornwall
- Population: 46,600
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $5,200—$6,960
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $723—$862
- Cost of living: $1,539
- Monthly salary after tax: $1,711
Cornwall is located near the beautiful St. Lawrence River, and you can admire picturesque views there. It also boasts many cultural attractions, including galleries, libraries, museums, and indoor arenas. Its relatively lower rent makes it the least expensive place to live in Ontario. Additionally, it is home to Walmart, the largest distribution centre for retailers, which has attracted plenty of businessmen.
Southwestern Ontario
In Southwestern Ontario, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and processing are the 4 main industries. Due to the limited number and high demand for housing, the home price is relatively high in Southwestern Ontario. However, there are also 2 most affordable places to live in Ontario here, Stratford and Windsor. Food is cheap, and transportation is convenient here.
Stratford
- Population: 31,500
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $5,120—$6,633
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $869—$1,238
- Cost of living: $1,816
- Monthly salary after tax: $2,082
Stratford is known for the Stratford Festival, the Shakespearean Gardens, and the beautiful Victorian buildings all over the city. Tourism is the main industry in Stratford. In addition, with booming technology development in Stratford, the University of Waterloo has offered undergraduate courses in Global Business and Digital Arts. There are plenty of employment opportunities in manufacturing, tech, arts, and tourism.
Windsor
- Population: 217,000
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $3,095—$3,701
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $935—$951
- Cost of living: $1,790
- Monthly salary after tax: $2,865
Windsor is situated in the southernmost area of Ontario, bordering the US. The city is naturally influenced by the 2 countries. It can be regarded as one of the inexpensive places to live in Ontario, which perfectly blends the city amenities with cheap houses. Due to its convenient location, it is also the pivotal point of entry and trade, bringing various excellent opportunities. As a highly cost-effective city, its house and rent prices are lower, while average salaries per month are relatively high.
Top 5 Affordable Toronto Neighborhoods
Although Toronto is one of the most expensive cities in Ontario (the average living cost in Toronto is $2,576), there are still some cheap neighborhoods listed below. Plus, don’t forget to take the job growth into account when choosing a city. After all, the residents’ salaries in Toronto are also exceptionally high, about $3,483 per month.
East York
- Population: 115,365
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $7,152
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $2,075
East York boasts many green spaces. Walk on the tree-lined streets, and you will experience a sense of tranquillity. In addition, in the lively Danforth area, you will discover diverse eateries and cultural festival events. In fact, East York, located near the city centre, is similarly affordable compared to those farther-away areas.
Scarborough
- Population: 600,000
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $4,850
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $2,500
Scarborough has both basic amenities and green spaces. You can take a leisurely shopping tour at Scarborough Town Centre or enjoy a natural escape in Scarborough Bluffs. Plus, it is easy to get downtown or around the GTA with the public transport system. With so many advantages, it is the nicest and cheapest place to live in Toronto Ontario.
Downtown Toronto
- Population: 237,698
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $4,457
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $2,450
Downtown Toronto is home to many famous universities, such as the University of Toronto, OCAD University, and Toronto Metropolitan University. It is an ideal place for students attending those universities, which will save time and money on transportation.
Harwood
- Population: 764,342
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $4,683
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $2,013
Harwood is a great neighbourhood for young professionals and first-time buyers. The area has plenty of green spaces, restaurants, supermarkets, and bars.
Cliffside
- Population: 10,840
- Average house price (1㎡or 10ft²): $6.479
- Average rent (40㎡ or 430ft²): $1,450
Cliffside is nestled along the picturesque bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario. Meanwhile, the social hotspots, like world-class restaurants, quaint shops, and trendy cafes, also fulfil the residents’ diverse needs in modern life. It is also a transit-rich area, making commuting to the workplace and school relatively hassle-free.
Why Choosing Cheapest Place to Live in Ontario
Saving money is not the sole reason for choosing the cheapest place to live in Ontario. Your stress will be reduced by choosing the cheapest place to live in Ontario, Canada, which will lead to both physical and mental health. Additionally, the money saved could be used for other purposes, such as health care and food, to improve the quality of life.
Tips to Find Cheapest place to Live in Ontario Canada
To find the cheapest place to live in Ontario, there are many steps and factors that you need to follow and consider.
- Search for the cheapest housing in Ontario on a reliable platform.
If you want to rent Canadian housing, we recommend you browse the apartments through uhomes.com. uhomes.com offers many special offers to renters, including the highest cashback, group booking cashback, seasonal discounts, and vouchers. Meanwhile, with the multiple filters and one-on-one property experts, it will be effortless to find the most affordable places to live in Ontario.
- Visit before settling
Before settling in, it is recommended that you visit the preferred community in person to learn more about the vibe, culture, and amenities in the area.
- Explore job opportunities and average wages
It would be wise to explore whether there are many work opportunities in this city first. The average salary is also a significant factor that will greatly influence your quality of life.
- Learn more about the distance of the city centers:
Some of the most affordable cities in Ontario are just a short ride from the city centre, and the city amenities are easily accessible.
Cheapest Places to Live in Ontario Await
Where are the cheapest places to live in Ontario? The blog has introduced 8 of the most affordable cities in Ontario and 5 of the cheapest Toronto neighbourhoods. With a cheap apartment, your pressure will be reduced, and your quality of life will be improved. uhomes.com can help! From the beautiful Sarnia to the bustling Toronto, we all have the most affordable places to live in Ontario Canada. Rent the cheapest housing in Ontario with uhomes.com, your credible partner in helping you find a dream home.
FAQs about Cheapest Places to Live in Ontario
Which city in Ontario has the lowest cost of living?
Here is the list of the most affordable cities in Ontario based on living costs:
- Kingston: $1,412
- Sault Ste. Marie: $1,495
- Cornwall: $1,539
- Sarnia: $1,614
- Windsor: $1,790
Where is the cheapest place to buy a house in Ontario?
Sault Ste. Marie is the cheapest place to buy a property in Ontario. The city is located in Northern Ontario, with its house prices 70% less than the Ontario average.
- Ontario average: $6,452—$8,267 per square meter
- Sault Ste. Marie: $1,912—$5,697 per square meter
Where is the cheapest place to retire in Ontario?
The cheapest places to retire in Ontario are as follows:
- Cornwall: Located close to the St. Lawrence River, retirees could admire the beautiful riverside views.
- Windsor: Windsor is the combination of city amenities and cheap housing.
- Stratford: Retirees who are interested in delicate architecture will love this city filled with Victorian buildings.
- London: London offers outstanding social services in amenities and healthcare, which is convenient for retirees.
- Sarnia: Sarnia is nestled on Lake Huron’s shores. It is suitable for retirees who prefer to live near the water.
Where in Ontario are the cheapest house prices?
Here are the most affordable cities in Ontario in the aspect of house prices:
- Windsor: $3,095—$3,701/㎡
- London: $2,833—$3,403/㎡
- Sault Ste. Marie: $1,912—$5,697/㎡
- Timmins: $2,519—$4,347/㎡
- Kingston: $2,584—$3,551/㎡
