Have you ever heard of a living wage? It's the amount of money people need to earn per hour of work to be able to cover the costs of living in their community.
The living wage includes food, shelter, clothing, childcare, transportation, medical expenses, and more costs.
It's often much higher than minimum wage and in Ontario, every region has a living wage that's more than the provincial minimum wage — $16.55 per hour.
Each year, the Ontario Living Wage Network calculates living wages based on a weighted average of costs for these three different household types: a family of four, a single mother, and a single adult.
The most recent living wage rates from November 2023 show how much it costs to cover the cost of living in all of Ontario's regions.
According to the Ontario Living Wage Network, the cost of living in Toronto and the GTA is the highest in the province at $25.05.
The lowest cost of living is in the Southwest region of Ontario at $18.65 an hour.
There's a $6.40 difference in what it takes to cover the cost of living between the highest and lowest parts of the province.
Here's what you need to know about places in Ontario with cheaper costs of living than Toronto and the GTA, including what the living wage rates are.
Niagara-Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk
Located between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, this region has it all: wineries, sandy beaches, nature spaces, shopping, local restaurants, and — of course — Niagara Falls.
Cities and towns in the region include Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Port Colborne, Port Dover, Brantford, Paris (the "Cobblestone Capital of Canada"), Grimsby, Welland, and more
The living wage rate is $20.35 an hour.
That's $4.70 cheaper than the amount of money it takes to cover the cost of living in Toronto and the GTA.
London-Elgin-Oxford
This region is home to London, Woodstock, Port Stanley, St. Thomas, Aylmer, and more cities and towns.
London, aptly located on the Thames River, is known for lush parks, scenic pathways, breweries, and historic sites.
You can also explore beaches in Port Stanley, eat your way through the Oxford County Cheese Trail, see the historic lighthouse in Port Burwell, tour the street art in St. Thomas, and more.
This part of the province has a living wage of $18.85, $6.20 cheaper than Toronto and the GTA.
Ottawa
Ottawa is more than just the capital of Canada and the home of the country's federal government.
There are craft breweries, art galleries, museums, hiking trails, whitewater rafting and more. Plus, since it's so close to Quebec, you can experience Francophone culture and cuisine too.
Ottawa also encompasses the communities of Kanata, Nepean, Stittsville, Orleans and more.
This part of the province has a living wage of $21.95 an hour — $3.10 cheaper than Toronto.
Southwest
Southwestern Ontario is the southernmost part of Canada and actually has a latitude and similar temperature to central Italy!
it's surrounded by water on three sides, with shorelines on Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron, that make it known for beautiful freshwater beaches and stunning sunsets.
The hourly living wage rate in this region — which includes Windsor, Sarnia, Chatham, Leamington, and more places — is just $18.65.
That's $6.40 cheaper than Toronto and the GTA, making it the part of Ontario where it's cheapest to afford the cost of living.
Dufferin-Waterloo-Guelph-Wellington
This region of the province just west of the GTA is most rural but still has vibrant cities and picturesque towns, villages and hamlets.
It also has a living wage of $20.90 which is $4.15 cheaper than Toronto and the GTA.
Cities and towns in this region include Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, Cambridge, Elora ("Ontario's most beautiful village"), Fergus, Orangeville, Shelburne and more.
Hamilton
Known as the "Heart of Ontario," the Hamilton region is home to a mix of nature and culture.
You can explore the Niagara Escarpment, the Bruce Trail, the shorelines of Lake Ontario, and breathtaking waterfalls.
There are also a bunch of historic sites and places that are significant to Indigenous heritage, along with Canada's largest botanical garden.
Hamilton also includes the communities of Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas and Flamborough.
The living wage rate in this part of the province is $20.80.
That's $4.25 cheaper than what it takes to cover the cost of living in Toronto.
East
This part of the province encompasses Southeastern Ontario and the Kawarthas and Northumberland region along the shores of Lake Ontario and into cottage country.
It's "steeped in history and heritage," according to Destination Ontario, and features stunning beaches, waterways and lakes, local farmers markets, historic sites, provincial parks, wineries and more.
The region includes places just east of the GTA and all the way to the Ontario-Quebec border.
There are big cities and charming small towns like Uxbridge, Oshawa, Kingston (the "Limehouse City"), Prince Edward, Cobourg, Port Hope, Peterborough, Haliburton, Bracebridge, Huntsville and more.
The hourly living wage needed in this region to cover the cost of living is $20.60 — $4.45 cheaper than in Toronto and the GTA.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
