cost of living ontario

Here’s How Much You Need To Make To Afford Living Alone In These 8 Ontario Cities

Two cities have a much higher average salary. 👀

Editor
The Clock Tower at Kitchener, Ontario's Victoria Park. Right: Canadian bills and coins.

The Clock Tower at Kitchener, Ontario's Victoria Park. Right: Canadian bills and coins.

Harold Stiver | Dreamstime, Embe2006 | Dreamstime

Ontario's cost of living is on the rise, bringing everything from rent to the cost of groceries under the microscope as people struggle to keep up, and the situation is the same across much of Canada.

But focusing in on Ontario, which cities are most expensive and which are more affordable?

This list takes a look at how much it costs to live in various cities across Ontario — all on a single person's salary, according to Numbeo, the world's largest cost-of-living database.

These eight locations were chosen to offer various perspectives on the cost of living from the province's largest cities to its more medium and smaller-sized areas.

Ottawa

The nation's capital is the second-largest city in Ontario, with a population of 1,068,821 as of 2021. It was recently named the second most family-friendly city in Canada by Clever Canadian.

According to Numbeo, a single person's average monthly costs are $1,278.10, excluding rent. On top of that:

  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Ottawa is $1,710.37.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $90.
  • The average net monthly salary in Ottawa is $4,360.13.

Kingston

The city of Kingston had a population of 127,943 in 2021, making it the 12th largest Ontario city.

According to Numbeo, a single person's average monthly costs are $1,189.20, excluding rent. On top of that:

  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Kingston is $1,521.11.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $90, the same as in Ottawa.
  • The average net monthly salary in Kingston is $4,194.44.

Peterborough

Peterborough is among the list of Ontario's medium-sized cities, with the 17th highest population of 84,793 recorded in 2021. It is home to some high-paying government jobs and often has some of the lowest gas prices anywhere in the province.
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person in Peterborough is $1,260.80, excluding rent. On top of that:
  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Peterborough is $1,500.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $90, the same as in Ottawa and Kingston.
  • The average net monthly salary in Peterborough is $2,826.33, significantly lower than that of Ottawa and Kingston.

Toronto

Toronto is Ontario's largest city and, unsurprising to anyone, the most expensive in just about every way, from rent to the cost of groceries. In 2021, the city recorded a population of 5,647,656.

According to Numbeo, a single person will spend, on average, $1,380.10 per month, excluding rent. On top of that:

  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is $2,379.49.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $120.
  • The average net monthly salary in Toronto is $4,328.63, slightly above the average in Kingston and $31.50 below the average monthly salary in Ottawa.

Kitchener 

Kitchener is Ontario's fourth largest city, with a population of 522,888 recorded in 2021. The city has been a part of a growing tech sector in recent years and, over the last few weeks, has seen a sharp drop in home prices in what some are calling the beginning of a market crash.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person in Kitchener is $1,226.50, excluding rent. On top of that:

  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Kitchener is $1,759.62.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $98.00.
  • The average net monthly salary in Kitchener is $5,423.44, the second-highest average on this list.

London

One step below Kitchener, London is Ontario's fifth largest city by population, which was recorded to be 423,369 in 2021. It was ranked atop a list of Canadian party cities, thanks to the various shenanigans at Western University.
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person in London is $1,220.80, excluding rent. On top of that:
  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in London is $1,827.35, below only Toronto.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $103, also below only Toronto.
  • The average net monthly salary in London is $4,633.19, higher than Toronto and Ottawa.

Windsor

Ontario's largest border city is Windsor, another area of the province known for cheaper housing prices and a cheaper cost of gas. The city had a recorded population of 306,519 in 2021.
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person in Windsor is $1,168.50, excluding rent. That's the lowest average cost of living on this list. On top of that:
  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Windsor is $1,355.00.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $80.00, tied for the lowest on this list.
  • The average net monthly salary in Windsor is $4,119.44, only higher than Peterborough.

Sudbury

Sudbury is Ontario's second-largest medium-sized city and 16th-largest overall, with a population of 92,093 recorded in 2021. But your money may go further here than in any other city on this list.
According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person in Sudbury is $1,181.60, excluding rent. On top of that:
  • The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in Sudbury is $1,341.67, the lowest on this list.
  • The average cost of a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is $80.00, tied with Windsor for the lowest on this list.
  • The average net monthly salary in Sudbury is $6,250.00, by far the highest on this list.

From Your Site Articles
Stuart McGinn
Editor
Stuart McGinn is the Money Editor for Narcity Media and focuses mainly on covering topics ranging from personal finance, to real estate, and careers. Stuart is from Ottawa and is now based in Toronto.

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