London, Ontario, offers a vibrant and student-friendly environment nestled in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known for its rich academic institutions, including Western University and Fanshawe College, London attracts students from around the globe seeking high-quality education in a welcoming community. Its key attractions are its high standard of living and the reasonable cost of living in London, Ontario, making it an appealing destination for international students.
London, Ontario ranks in the top 18% of the world’s most expensive cities, placing 1642th out of 9294 globally and 38th out of 153 within Canada. Due to this students in London, Ontario enjoy the advantage of a high quality of life. Suppose you are relocating here for your higher education and want to estimate. In that case, how much is the average cost of living in London, Ontario, this blog is absolutely useful for you. Please keep reading to know more.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Living in London, Ontario Overview
If we include housing costs then the average cost of living in London, Ontario for a single person according to livingcost Data is approximately CAD 2816. If we break down further and consider a one-room apartment rent in London, Ontario it can cost you around CAD 1492 to CAD 1847. The cost of living in London, Ontario depends on the standard of living, area and other essentials a student prefers.
The cost of living in London, Ontario encompasses various expenses, including utility bills, housing rent, transportation passes, entertainment costs, food, and grocery expenses. Below, we provide an overview of the average cost of living in London, Ontario across different categories for those considering residing in this city. Here is a detailed look:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Calgary: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison
Costs of Accommodation in London, Ontario
Accommodation is a major part of the cost of living expenses in London, Ontario. When planning your budget, it’s crucial to include this cost. Generally, London, Ontario offers less expensive housing rent compared to other Canadian cities. The rent can vary according to the location, size, and type of accommodation you prefer. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre generally costs around CAD 1847.
Before moving to London, Ontario it is essential to carefully research and compare the apartment rent of different areas to ensure whether they meet your needs and budget. For your convenience, we have compiled the average cost of housing data for various flats located both inside and outside the city centre.
Apartment Type | Location | Approx. Monthly Cost |
1 bedroom | in the City Centre | CAD 1847 |
3 bedrooms | in the City Centre | CAD 2888 |
1 bedroom | Outside of Centre | CAD 1492 |
3 bedrooms | Outside of Centre | CAD 2232 |
Cost of a Utility in London, Ontario
Utilities in London, Ontario encompass a range of essential services that enhance residents’ quality of life. The services that are included in utility are electricity, water, heating, internet, and waste management. Understanding these utilities’ cost can help students manage their household expenses effectively there.
The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in London, Ontario could be around CAD 160. However, the cost of utility bills in London, Ontario depends on the utility services used and the size of the apartment. Planning your monthly cost of living in London, Ontario must include the utility expenses as they can affect your overall costs. The table below provides an overview of the average utility expenses in London, Ontario:
Utility Type | Utility Name | Approx. Cost |
Basic Utility Bills | Water, Electricity, Heating, etc | CAD 126 |
Internet | 50 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly | CAD 70.6 |
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Restaurant Food Costs in London, Ontario
London, Ontario’s restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences for food lovers and make dining out an exciting experience for them. Although dining out expenses in London, Ontario may be affordable and delightful, their price can vary depending on the type of restaurant, the cuisine, the number of people and the dining location.
Eating out regularly can affect the cost of living in London, Ontario for students. So the good idea is that cooking at home can be affordable for them. Here’s an approx estimate of the moderate cost of a meal at restaurants in London, Ontario:
Type of Restaurant | Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant |
Lunch Menu | CAD 19.1 |
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person | CAD 82.8 |
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s | CAD 14.5 |
Cappuccino | CAD 4.99 |
Cost of Grocery in London, Ontario
The grocery expenses are the daily expenses if you prepare food at your residence and your meal preferences will decide the expenses of groceries there. Because of this, the cost of groceries can influence the overall cost of living in London, Ontario.
To get the best value when shopping for groceries in London, Ontario, it’s important to compare prices across different stores or vendors. Grocery prices can vary based on factors such as the quality and quantity of the products, as well as the store’s location and availability. Below is a table summarizing the average grocery expenses in London, Ontario, if you plan to cook food in your room:
Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
1 litre of Regular Milk | CAD 2.47 |
1kg white Rice | CAD 3.16 |
500g Bread (White) | CAD 3.24 |
1kg Banana | CAD 1.7 |
1kg Oranges | CAD 4.59 |
1kg Apples | CAD 5.34 |
1kg Onion | CAD 2.48 |
1kg Tomato | CAD 4.82 |
12 Eggs | CAD 4.39 |
1kg Potato | CAD 2.44 |
1 litre Water bottle | CAD 1.81 |
Transportation Costs in London, Ontario
London, Ontario emphasises multi-modal transportation, which aims to provide safe and efficient options whether you prefer to walk, take a bus, ride a bike or drive yourself around town. The London, Ontario Transit Commission (LTC) plays a central role in this effort by offering a range of public transportation services, with its bus fleet being the largest component. The city’s extensive network includes dozens of buses that connect various points across London, Ontario.
It is important to evaluate transportation costs in London, Ontario for you as a student because you will have to commute to and from college, and transportation costs can affect the total cost of living in London, Ontario. For your reference, we have given the average transportation cost in the table below so that you can estimate your transportation budget accordingly. Take an overview so that you can hang around the London, Ontario area comfortably:
Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport | CAD 103 |
Ticket for Local Public transport | CAD 3 |
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 8 km | CAD 38.2 |
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol | CAD 1.5 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Norway: Updated Prices, Other Countries Comparison
Miscellaneous Costs in London, Ontario
In addition to essential living expenses like housing, utilities, transportation and groceries, various miscellaneous costs may you bear after some time in your ideal time such as a gym subscription, movie tickets, a pair of dresses, small doctor’s appointments, etc. These Miscellaneous expenses an expat should consider when managing their budgets for London, Ontario.
Miscellaneous expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyles and preferences but these expenses are important factors to consider in overall financial planning. You may require them at your ideal time after settling in London, Ontario properly. Please refer to the table below for a detailed list of these charges.
Miscellaneous | Approx Cost |
Movie Ticket | CAD 14.8 |
Brand Jeans | CAD 81.1 |
Fitness Club | CAD 56.7 |
Brand Sneakers | CAD 131 |
Doctor’s visit | CAD 68 |
Cost of Living in London, Ontario Compared to Other Cities
London, Ontario is commonly considered a moderately reasonable city to live in comparison to some cities or states in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in London, Ontario to other areas, several aspects come into the picture, like housing, transportation, food, entertainment, etc. London, Ontario remains an attractive option within Canada for those seeking a balanced lifestyle with lower living expenses.
So to give you an idea of how the cost of living in London, Ontario compares to other cities like Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Edmonton. We’ve given the cost of living in other cities. Please have a look:
Cost of Living City Wise | Average Cost of living | Comparison with Cost of Living in London, Ontario |
Cost of Living in Calgary | CAD 2879 (including rent) | Higher than London, Ontario |
Cost of Living in Toronto | CAD 3510 (including rent) | Higher than London, Ontario |
Cost of Living in Ottawa | CAD 2956 (including rent) | Higher than London, Ontario |
Cost of Living in Edmonton | CAD 2360 (including rent) | Lower than London, Ontario |
Cost of Living in Canada | CAD 2782 (including rent) | Lower than London, Ontario |
Average Tuition Fees in London, Ontario
Tuition fees in universities of London, Ontario vary widely based on the university, program, and level of study you prefer. Many universities offer lower tuition rates, while some offer specialised programs with higher fees. Do you know university fees can significantly impact your cost of living in London, Ontario?
Prospective students should consider their educational goals, and financial resources, and check the available scholarships or financial aid provided by the university when planning their studies in London, Ontario. Careful financial planning can help students maximise high-quality educational opportunities. Below is a table summarising the tuition fees at selected London, Ontario universities:
Name of University | Approx Tuition fees per year |
Western University | CAD 12910 – CAD 127000 |
Fanshawe College | CAD 9060 K – CAD 41890 K |
King’s University College | CAD 34590 K – CAD 56800 K |
Students can plan their finances more effectively by understanding the average tuition fees at universities in London, Ontario. Although tuition fees in London, Ontario are generally lower than in other Canadian cities’s universities.
Conclusion: Understanding the essential costs that contribute to the cost of living in London, Ontario, Canada helps students budget wisely. This knowledge enables students to manage their finances effectively, enjoy the local culture, and maintain a comfortable lifestyle while studying.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in London, Ontario
Answer: The monthly average cost of living in London, Ontario for a single person is roughly CAD 2816, which includes rent. The estimated cost of housing rent in the city ranges from CAD 1492 to CAD 1847.
Answer: To live comfortably in London, Ontario, the cost of housing rent typically ranges from CAD 1492 to CAD 1847. This amount can vary and it may be higher in city centres but can be lower in areas outside the city centre of London, Ontario, Canada.
Answer: For one person, the average cost of living in London, Ontario, including rent is around CAD 2816 per month. This amount shows that London, Ontario is among the most affordable cities in Canada. It ranked 38th out of 153 in Canada for the cost of living. Despite its affordability, London, Ontario maintains a high quality of life with excellent amenities, picturesque natural surroundings, and a lively cultural scene.
Ans: The average cost of living in London, Ontario, including rent, is around CAD 2816 per month for one person. Meanwhile, in Toronto, it’s around CAD 3510 per month for one person. This shows that living in London, Ontario is cheaper than living in Toronto.
So, this was all about the cost of living in London, Ontario. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.