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Forest City: home to Western University, great healthcare, and one of Ontario's lowest price tags.
London, Ontario (the Canadian one, not the British one) is a mid-size city of about 540,000 people that consistently ranks as one of Ontario's most affordable urban centres. Home to Western University and Fanshawe College, a growing healthcare sector, and strong manufacturing, London offers genuine urban amenities at a fraction of Toronto prices. The Thames River trail system, Victoria Park, and the Budweiser Gardens arena make for a genuinely livable city.
| Unit Type | Old North / Downtown / Wortley Village | East London / Argyle / Lambeth |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor / Studio | $1,2500/mo | $1,00500/mo |
| 1-Bedroom | $1,5500/mo | $1,2500/mo |
| 2-Bedroom | $1,9500/mo | $1,600/mo |
| 3-Bedroom | $2,500/mo | $2,000/mo |
London remains one of Ontario's most affordable rental markets outside of small towns. A decent 1-bedroom near Western University is attainable for $1,400–$1,600/month, while suburban areas offer even more value. Student demand near UWO does push up prices in Old North September through April.
| Item | Average Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $13.60 |
| Ground beef (1 kg) | $13.00 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.00 |
| 2L milk | $5.30 |
| Loaf of bread | $4.50 |
| Option | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| LTC Monthly Pass (adult) | $94/mo |
| VIA Rail (London to Toronto Union, monthly equivalency) | ~$400–$500/mo |
| Car ownership (insurance + gas) | $950–$1,400/mo |
London is largely car-dependent outside the university area. LTC bus service is adequate downtown but sparse in suburban areas. Most London residents own a vehicle.
| Utility | Average Monthly (1BR) |
|---|---|
| Electricity (London Hydro) | $85–$120 |
| Natural gas (Enbridge) | $600–$100 (seasonal) |
| Internet (10000 Mbps+) | $600–$800 |
| Cell phone | $500–$65 |
| Expense | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Coffee (latte) | $5.80 |
| Lunch (fast casual) | $13–$17 |
| Dinner (mid-range, per person) | $22–$32 |
| Budweiser Gardens event (minor) | $25–$600 |
| Gym membership | $35–$65/mo |
London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London are two of Ontario's largest hospitals, making London a strong destination for healthcare professionals. London also has a growing tech sector, particularly in health tech and AI research tied to Western University. For healthcare workers priced out of Toronto or Ottawa, London offers competitive salaries with significantly lower living costs.
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