10 Best Places To Live In Ontario – Affordable Cities List

These are the top ten most affordable places in Ontario to purchase a home.

Zolo, an independent marketplace for real estate, determined the most affordable cities based on a range of factors including average income, unemployment rate and population growth.

Each city received a score of 100. This list was then broken down into small, medium and large cities.

It is not surprising that no city in the Greater Toronto Area made it onto the list.

Which did it?

According to Zolo Windsor is the most affordable large-sized municipality in the province.

The median home price is $534,000 in the city, while the median household income is $82,840. This results in a 6.45 ratio between the home price and income.

Here are our top picks from different resources:

1. PICKERING

Pickering is located east of Toronto and is a popular place to live for budget-conscious Ontarians.

Houses in Pickering are priced between $631,000 to $741,000, a far cry from Toronto’s average prices, which hovered around $1 million in 2021.

Pickering’s cost of living is much lower than Toronto’s. ranks just 5% above the national average, compared to Toronto’s 29%. This is a good result for a city that is only 30 minutes from Toronto.

2. AJAX

Ajax, located 25 km east of Toronto on the shores of Lake Ontario, is a small town. Pickering is west of it.

Homes in Ajax are between $671,000 to $910,000 on average. Whitby’s cost of living is 5% lower than the national average.

Residents of Ajax have great value for money. They can choose from many wonderful neighborhoods and each with its own character.

3. THUNDER BAY

Thunder Bay, a small town in Northwestern Ontario is a great place to live if you love the lakefront. This is the ideal location for anyone looking to combine rural beauty with a fast-paced atmosphere. Thunder Bay is one of the most affordable places in Ontario. Many first-time homebuyers choose Thunder Bay as their choice for their new home.

Thunder Bay’s average home price is $217,745. If you’re a young couple, you may want to consider buying a smaller home. It is only $5,489 per square foot to live in an apartment located in the city’s center. This city is not only the most affordable place to live in Ontario but also has incredible job opportunities.

4. SUDBURY

Sudbury is the best place to buy a house in Ontario. The average house in this city, located 390 km north of Toronto, is $268,696. It’s a great option for those who are able to work remotely as you don’t need to commute. Sudbury offers the opportunity to explore its parks and forests on weekends.

Sudbury is home to 161,531 residents. There are many opportunities in this city for professional growth, especially if your career is in the television and film industry. Sudbury is a great place to call home.

5. WINDSOR

Windsor is where you will find the most affordable real estate in Ontario. The city is situated in the southwest corner of the province, near the border with the United States. Many Windsor residents commute to Detroit from Windsor to work. Windsor’s average home price is $363,521. Windsor is one of the most affordable places in Ontario because of its housing prices.

Windsor is a great place to live, and it’s also one of the most affordable in Ontario. One of these benefits is the University of Windsor, which is one of the best post-secondary institutions in the country. Windsor also offers stunning waterfront views and many museums.

6. BARRIE

Barrie’s thriving economy has seen it grow exponentially over the past few years. It also has low unemployment rates. Many Toronto residents have moved to Barrie because of this. Public transportation makes it easy to commute to work if you don’t want your job in Toronto. You should also check this city if you’re looking for the best place to buy a home in Ontario.

You can find an average home for sale in Barrie at $570,612. The city is a great place to live for young families. You will also find many activities during the summer and winter, including beautiful beaches and ski resorts, if your decision is to move to the city.

7. PETERBOROUGH

We are aware that many people want to find the best place to live in Ontario, near Toronto. Peterborough is the perfect place for you. The average home is worth $505,998, which has led to an increase in real estate sales. Peterborough is also one of the most beautiful places in Ontario. You will feel like you are in a tropical paradise with all the lakes and rivers.

You can visit many museums, art galleries and cultural exhibitions once you move to Peterborough. If you’re a student, there are some top institutions like Fleming College and Trent University.

8. KINGSTON

This is the best place to find Ontario real estate at a bargain price. You might have seen Kingston while traveling to Montreal. Many people fall in love with Kingston because of all its water-based activities. You can also explore the many historical and natural sites that you will find on weekends.

Kingston’s average house price is $305,155. For first-time homeowners, Kingston is the most affordable place in Ontario to live. If you choose to rent, prices in the city are 42 percent less than those found in Toronto.

9. LONDON

London, United Kingdom, no, not London, Ontario. A house in London costs $536,000 and a 2-bedroom apartment costs $1,900. It is important to remember that real estate prices in London have been steadily rising.

10. WATERLOO

When you first started this journey, the first question that probably came to mind was “Is Waterloo too expensive?” The good news is that the answer is no. Waterloo is below the average when it comes to all living expenses. This includes rent (or mortgage payments), bills and utilities like water, internet and electricity. It includes groceries, restaurant prices and public transport costs. Clothing is also included. Entertainment costs like gym memberships or trips to the movies are also included.

Even better, the average salary in this area is $3.300. This is a good amount of money to earn when you live here. The cost of living in comparison to the wages is so low that it’s possible to live in a small city while still earning a decent income. It is also a great relief to know that there are no financial worries and that you can enjoy eating out and treating yourself occasionally.

Province	Median Income (2019)
Alberta	$72,500
British Columbia	$65,700
Manitoba	$61,300
New Brunswick	$56,400
Newfoundland and Labrador	$56,500
Nova Scotia	$53,300
Ontario	$66,600
Prince Edward Island	$60,300
Quebec	$55,600
Saskatchewan	$62,700