{"id":18087,"date":"2026-04-02T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/?p=18087"},"modified":"2026-04-08T10:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:16:12","slug":"most-affordable-cities-ontario","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/most-affordable-cities-ontario","title":{"rendered":"Most Affordable Cities in Ontario to Buy a Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>For those looking to buy a home in Ontario, it may feel impossible to break into the real estate market at an affordable price. While housing prices have been decreasing, Ontario is Canada&#8217;s second-most expensive province after British Columbia, with the cost of buying a property in Ontario now averaging $802,601 in February 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, Canada&#8217;s largest city, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/toronto-real-estate\">Toronto<\/a>, along with major cities like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/king-real-estate\">King<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/oakville-real-estate\">Oakville<\/a>, tend to overshadow the more affordable Ontario cities due to their high real estate prices. To help in your search for lower-cost cities, we put together a list of the most affordable cities in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ottawa and the National Capital Region dominate the top 10 most affordable cities in Ontario, with six cities on the list<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many small and medium-sized cities in southern Ontario offer affordable housing prices within commuting distance of a large city<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Timmins had the lowest average home price of the 96 cities we analyzed in February 2026 at $304,435<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-10-most-affordable-places-to-live-in-ontario\">Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in Ontario<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Canadians are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.narcity.com\/moving-provinces-canada-ontario-alberta\">leaving Ontario<\/a> for more affordable regions east and west. On the other hand, many first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and downsizers are still trying to figure out where to buy an affordable property in Ontario. To help, we analyzed economic data for 96 cities and ranked them to identify the most affordable cities in Ontario to buy a home.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering population growth, average home sale prices, and economic strength, here are Ontario&#8217;s top 10 most affordable cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"footable_parent_25553\"\n         class=\" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui \">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"25553\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"Most Affordable Cities in Ontario\"            id=\"footable_25553\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_1044321587_25553\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_25553 ninja_table_unique_id_1044321587_25553 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table hide_horizonal_borders hide_vertical_borders striped compact vertical_centered  footable-paging-right ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_1 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_2 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_3 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                                                                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_ranking \">Rank<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_1 ninja_clmn_nm_city \">City<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_2 ninja_clmn_nm_average_home_price \">Average Home Price<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_3 ninja_clmn_nm_average_household_income \">Average Household Income<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"17494\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_17494\">\n            <td>1<\/td><td>Arnprior<\/td><td>$399,995<\/td><td>$92,300<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17495\" class=\"ninja_table_row_1 nt_row_id_17495\">\n            <td>2<\/td><td>Kanata<\/td><td>$623,750<\/td><td>$146,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17496\" class=\"ninja_table_row_2 nt_row_id_17496\">\n            <td>3<\/td><td>Nepean<\/td><td>$615,000<\/td><td>$137,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17497\" class=\"ninja_table_row_3 nt_row_id_17497\">\n            <td>4<\/td><td>Woodstock<\/td><td>$555,000<\/td><td>$95,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17498\" class=\"ninja_table_row_4 nt_row_id_17498\">\n            <td>5<\/td><td>Carleton Place<\/td><td>$642,500<\/td><td>$100,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17499\" class=\"ninja_table_row_5 nt_row_id_17499\">\n            <td>6<\/td><td>Rockland<\/td><td>$580,000<\/td><td>$111,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17500\" class=\"ninja_table_row_6 nt_row_id_17500\">\n            <td>7<\/td><td>Penetanguishene<\/td><td>$520,571<\/td><td>$90,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17501\" class=\"ninja_table_row_7 nt_row_id_17501\">\n            <td>8<\/td><td>Kingston<\/td><td>$550,354<\/td><td>$96,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17502\" class=\"ninja_table_row_8 nt_row_id_17502\">\n            <td>9<\/td><td>Ottawa<\/td><td>$622,500<\/td><td>$115,300<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17503\" class=\"ninja_table_row_9 nt_row_id_17503\">\n            <td>10<\/td><td>Thunder Bay<\/td><td>$377,500<\/td><td>$87,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17504\" class=\"ninja_table_row_10 nt_row_id_17504\">\n            <td>11<\/td><td>Pembroke<\/td><td>$376,950<\/td><td>$79,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17505\" class=\"ninja_table_row_11 nt_row_id_17505\">\n            <td>12<\/td><td>Ingersoll<\/td><td>$555,000<\/td><td>$99,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17506\" class=\"ninja_table_row_12 nt_row_id_17506\">\n            <td>13<\/td><td>Brockville<\/td><td>$420,750<\/td><td>$80,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17507\" class=\"ninja_table_row_13 nt_row_id_17507\">\n            <td>14<\/td><td>Tillsonburg<\/td><td>$591,500<\/td><td>$87,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17508\" class=\"ninja_table_row_14 nt_row_id_17508\">\n            <td>15<\/td><td>Leamington<\/td><td>$493,031<\/td><td>$101,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17509\" class=\"ninja_table_row_15 nt_row_id_17509\">\n            <td>16<\/td><td>Sudbury<\/td><td>$550,000<\/td><td>$93,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17510\" class=\"ninja_table_row_16 nt_row_id_17510\">\n            <td>17<\/td><td>Belleville<\/td><td>$523,858<\/td><td>$86,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17511\" class=\"ninja_table_row_17 nt_row_id_17511\">\n            <td>18<\/td><td>Hawkesbury<\/td><td>$364,500<\/td><td>$67,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17512\" class=\"ninja_table_row_18 nt_row_id_17512\">\n            <td>19<\/td><td>Stratford<\/td><td>$550,000<\/td><td>$92,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17513\" class=\"ninja_table_row_19 nt_row_id_17513\">\n            <td>20<\/td><td>Valley East<\/td><td>$550,000<\/td><td>$119,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17514\" class=\"ninja_table_row_20 nt_row_id_17514\">\n            <td>21<\/td><td>Chatham<\/td><td>$371,338<\/td><td>$83,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17515\" class=\"ninja_table_row_21 nt_row_id_17515\">\n            <td>22<\/td><td>Elliot Lake<\/td><td>$305,022<\/td><td>$63,350<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17516\" class=\"ninja_table_row_22 nt_row_id_17516\">\n            <td>23<\/td><td>LaSalle<\/td><td>$520,000<\/td><td>$144,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17517\" class=\"ninja_table_row_23 nt_row_id_17517\">\n            <td>24<\/td><td>Sarnia<\/td><td>$421,186<\/td><td>$99,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17518\" class=\"ninja_table_row_24 nt_row_id_17518\">\n            <td>25<\/td><td>Guelph<\/td><td>$714,225<\/td><td>$111,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17519\" class=\"ninja_table_row_25 nt_row_id_17519\">\n            <td>26<\/td><td>Orillia<\/td><td>$536,675<\/td><td>$84,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17520\" class=\"ninja_table_row_26 nt_row_id_17520\">\n            <td>27<\/td><td>Port Colborne<\/td><td>$432,744<\/td><td>$77,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17521\" class=\"ninja_table_row_27 nt_row_id_17521\">\n            <td>28<\/td><td>Timmins<\/td><td>$304,435<\/td><td>$95,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17522\" class=\"ninja_table_row_28 nt_row_id_17522\">\n            <td>29<\/td><td>Wallaceburg<\/td><td>$371,338<\/td><td>$72,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17523\" class=\"ninja_table_row_29 nt_row_id_17523\">\n            <td>30<\/td><td>Welland<\/td><td>$535,198<\/td><td>$84,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17524\" class=\"ninja_table_row_30 nt_row_id_17524\">\n            <td>31<\/td><td>Kenora<\/td><td>$377,500<\/td><td>$94,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17525\" class=\"ninja_table_row_31 nt_row_id_17525\">\n            <td>32<\/td><td>Sault Ste. Marie<\/td><td>$305,022<\/td><td>$85,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17526\" class=\"ninja_table_row_32 nt_row_id_17526\">\n            <td>33<\/td><td>Pelham<\/td><td>$743,833<\/td><td>$136,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17527\" class=\"ninja_table_row_33 nt_row_id_17527\">\n            <td>34<\/td><td>Barrie<\/td><td>$647,842<\/td><td>$111,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17528\" class=\"ninja_table_row_34 nt_row_id_17528\">\n            <td>35<\/td><td>St. Thomas<\/td><td>$545,876<\/td><td>$88,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17529\" class=\"ninja_table_row_35 nt_row_id_17529\">\n            <td>36<\/td><td>Brantford<\/td><td>$545,000<\/td><td>$92,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17530\" class=\"ninja_table_row_36 nt_row_id_17530\">\n            <td>37<\/td><td>Owen Sound<\/td><td>$476,000<\/td><td>$78,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17531\" class=\"ninja_table_row_37 nt_row_id_17531\">\n            <td>38<\/td><td>Paris<\/td><td>$735,182<\/td><td>$112,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17532\" class=\"ninja_table_row_38 nt_row_id_17532\">\n            <td>39<\/td><td>Thorold<\/td><td>$627,950<\/td><td>$95,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17533\" class=\"ninja_table_row_39 nt_row_id_17533\">\n            <td>40<\/td><td>Collingwood<\/td><td>$752,523<\/td><td>$103,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17534\" class=\"ninja_table_row_40 nt_row_id_17534\">\n            <td>41<\/td><td>Peterborough<\/td><td>$546,640<\/td><td>$88,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17535\" class=\"ninja_table_row_41 nt_row_id_17535\">\n            <td>42<\/td><td>London<\/td><td>$612,739<\/td><td>$96,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17536\" class=\"ninja_table_row_42 nt_row_id_17536\">\n            <td>43<\/td><td>Lindsay<\/td><td>$580,308<\/td><td>$84,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17537\" class=\"ninja_table_row_43 nt_row_id_17537\">\n            <td>44<\/td><td>North Bay<\/td><td>$475,757<\/td><td>$87,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17538\" class=\"ninja_table_row_44 nt_row_id_17538\">\n            <td>45<\/td><td>Strathroy<\/td><td>$716,384<\/td><td>$94,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17539\" class=\"ninja_table_row_45 nt_row_id_17539\">\n            <td>46<\/td><td>Midland<\/td><td>$573,083<\/td><td>$84,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17540\" class=\"ninja_table_row_46 nt_row_id_17540\">\n            <td>47<\/td><td>Wasaga Beach<\/td><td>$696,000<\/td><td>$91,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17541\" class=\"ninja_table_row_47 nt_row_id_17541\">\n            <td>48<\/td><td>Kingsville<\/td><td>$602,483<\/td><td>$109,300<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17542\" class=\"ninja_table_row_48 nt_row_id_17542\">\n            <td>49<\/td><td>Innisfil<\/td><td>$788,876<\/td><td>$109,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17543\" class=\"ninja_table_row_49 nt_row_id_17543\">\n            <td>50<\/td><td>Cornwall<\/td><td>$513,713<\/td><td>$72,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17544\" class=\"ninja_table_row_50 nt_row_id_17544\">\n            <td>51<\/td><td>Oshawa<\/td><td>$712,618<\/td><td>$118,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17545\" class=\"ninja_table_row_51 nt_row_id_17545\">\n            <td>52<\/td><td>Caledon<\/td><td>$1,007,997<\/td><td>$180,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17546\" class=\"ninja_table_row_52 nt_row_id_17546\">\n            <td>53<\/td><td>Windsor<\/td><td>$541,588<\/td><td>$99,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17547\" class=\"ninja_table_row_53 nt_row_id_17547\">\n            <td>54<\/td><td>St. Catharines\u2013Niagara<\/td><td>$567,471<\/td><td>$89,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17548\" class=\"ninja_table_row_54 nt_row_id_17548\">\n            <td>55<\/td><td>Clarington<\/td><td>$798,206<\/td><td>$128,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17549\" class=\"ninja_table_row_55 nt_row_id_17549\">\n            <td>56<\/td><td>Flamborough<\/td><td>$885,000<\/td><td>$135,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17550\" class=\"ninja_table_row_56 nt_row_id_17550\">\n            <td>57<\/td><td>Kitchener<\/td><td>$687,601<\/td><td>$109,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17551\" class=\"ninja_table_row_57 nt_row_id_17551\">\n            <td>58<\/td><td>New Tecumseth<\/td><td>$747,564<\/td><td>$114,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17552\" class=\"ninja_table_row_58 nt_row_id_17552\">\n            <td>59<\/td><td>Hamilton<\/td><td>$729,700<\/td><td>$114,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17553\" class=\"ninja_table_row_59 nt_row_id_17553\">\n            <td>60<\/td><td>Orangeville<\/td><td>$692,409<\/td><td>$121,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17554\" class=\"ninja_table_row_60 nt_row_id_17554\">\n            <td>61<\/td><td>Simcoe<\/td><td>$650,000<\/td><td>$83,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17555\" class=\"ninja_table_row_61 nt_row_id_17555\">\n            <td>62<\/td><td>Niagara Falls<\/td><td>$608,952<\/td><td>$90,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17556\" class=\"ninja_table_row_62 nt_row_id_17556\">\n            <td>63<\/td><td>Essex<\/td><td>$541,588<\/td><td>$97,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17557\" class=\"ninja_table_row_63 nt_row_id_17557\">\n            <td>64<\/td><td>Cobourg<\/td><td>$683,262<\/td><td>$94,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17558\" class=\"ninja_table_row_64 nt_row_id_17558\">\n            <td>65<\/td><td>Grimsby<\/td><td>$824,435<\/td><td>$124,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17559\" class=\"ninja_table_row_65 nt_row_id_17559\">\n            <td>66<\/td><td>Fort Erie<\/td><td>$580,849<\/td><td>$83,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17560\" class=\"ninja_table_row_66 nt_row_id_17560\">\n            <td>67<\/td><td>Niagara-on-the-Lake<\/td><td>$968,972<\/td><td>$126,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17561\" class=\"ninja_table_row_67 nt_row_id_17561\">\n            <td>68<\/td><td>Whitby<\/td><td>$928,656<\/td><td>$142,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17562\" class=\"ninja_table_row_68 nt_row_id_17562\">\n            <td>69<\/td><td>Ancaster-Dundas<\/td><td>$961,964<\/td><td>$145,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17563\" class=\"ninja_table_row_69 nt_row_id_17563\">\n            <td>70<\/td><td>Cambridge<\/td><td>$691,140<\/td><td>$108,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17564\" class=\"ninja_table_row_70 nt_row_id_17564\">\n            <td>71<\/td><td>Milton<\/td><td>$974,613<\/td><td>$138,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17565\" class=\"ninja_table_row_71 nt_row_id_17565\">\n            <td>72<\/td><td>Etobicoke Centre<\/td><td>$852,500<\/td><td>$146,600<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17566\" class=\"ninja_table_row_72 nt_row_id_17566\">\n            <td>73<\/td><td>Bradford West Gwillimbury<\/td><td>$919,289<\/td><td>$128,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17567\" class=\"ninja_table_row_73 nt_row_id_17567\">\n            <td>74<\/td><td>Stoney Creek<\/td><td>$670,315<\/td><td>$94,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17568\" class=\"ninja_table_row_74 nt_row_id_17568\">\n            <td>75<\/td><td>Ajax<\/td><td>$861,850<\/td><td>$134,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17569\" class=\"ninja_table_row_75 nt_row_id_17569\">\n            <td>76<\/td><td>Pickering<\/td><td>$906,407<\/td><td>$141,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17570\" class=\"ninja_table_row_76 nt_row_id_17570\">\n            <td>77<\/td><td>Port Hope<\/td><td>$832,154<\/td><td>$98,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17571\" class=\"ninja_table_row_77 nt_row_id_17571\">\n            <td>78<\/td><td>Tecumseh<\/td><td>$675,000<\/td><td>$114,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17572\" class=\"ninja_table_row_78 nt_row_id_17572\">\n            <td>79<\/td><td>Oakville<\/td><td>$1,325,983<\/td><td>$182,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17573\" class=\"ninja_table_row_79 nt_row_id_17573\">\n            <td>80<\/td><td>East Gwillimbury<\/td><td>$1,227,587<\/td><td>$139,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17574\" class=\"ninja_table_row_80 nt_row_id_17574\">\n            <td>81<\/td><td>Waterloo<\/td><td>$756,555<\/td><td>$70,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17575\" class=\"ninja_table_row_81 nt_row_id_17575\">\n            <td>82<\/td><td>Brampton<\/td><td>$887,457<\/td><td>$124,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17576\" class=\"ninja_table_row_82 nt_row_id_17576\">\n            <td>83<\/td><td>Amherstburg<\/td><td>$850,000<\/td><td>$111,100<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17577\" class=\"ninja_table_row_83 nt_row_id_17577\">\n            <td>84<\/td><td>Burlington<\/td><td>$1,070,052<\/td><td>$140,200<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17578\" class=\"ninja_table_row_84 nt_row_id_17578\">\n            <td>85<\/td><td>King<\/td><td>$2,626,800<\/td><td>$198,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17579\" class=\"ninja_table_row_85 nt_row_id_17579\">\n            <td>86<\/td><td>Whitchurch-Stouffville<\/td><td>$1,156,315<\/td><td>$147,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17580\" class=\"ninja_table_row_86 nt_row_id_17580\">\n            <td>87<\/td><td>Georgina<\/td><td>$814,362<\/td><td>$112,700<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17581\" class=\"ninja_table_row_87 nt_row_id_17581\">\n            <td>88<\/td><td>Halton Hills<\/td><td>$1,011,903<\/td><td>$150,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17582\" class=\"ninja_table_row_88 nt_row_id_17582\">\n            <td>89<\/td><td>Mississauga<\/td><td>$963,747<\/td><td>$135,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17583\" class=\"ninja_table_row_89 nt_row_id_17583\">\n            <td>90<\/td><td>Vaughan<\/td><td>$1,140,088<\/td><td>$153,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17584\" class=\"ninja_table_row_90 nt_row_id_17584\">\n            <td>91<\/td><td>Newmarket<\/td><td>$971,554<\/td><td>$130,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17585\" class=\"ninja_table_row_91 nt_row_id_17585\">\n            <td>92<\/td><td>York<\/td><td>$1,133,471<\/td><td>$140,400<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17586\" class=\"ninja_table_row_92 nt_row_id_17586\">\n            <td>93<\/td><td>Toronto<\/td><td>$1,019,144<\/td><td>$127,900<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17587\" class=\"ninja_table_row_93 nt_row_id_17587\">\n            <td>94<\/td><td>Richmond Hill<\/td><td>$1,166,816<\/td><td>$134,000<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17588\" class=\"ninja_table_row_94 nt_row_id_17588\">\n            <td>95<\/td><td>Markham<\/td><td>$1,068,928<\/td><td>$130,800<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"17589\" class=\"ninja_table_row_95 nt_row_id_17589\">\n            <td>96<\/td><td>Scarborough Centre<\/td><td>$836,944<\/td><td>$91,500<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n    \n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-3-most-affordable-large-cities-in-ontario\">The 3 Most Affordable Large Cities in Ontario<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Large cities are usually more expensive than small or medium-sized cities, but Ontario still has some affordable options! Canadians often move to large cities due to their strong job markets, diverse job prospects, and robust public services. Additionally, many large cities offer convenient access to public transportation and healthcare, which improves quality of life. Below are the top three most affordable large cities in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kanata<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $623,750<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $146,600<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 137,118<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The most affordable large city in Ontario is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/kanata-real-estate\">Kanata<\/a>, adjacent to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/ottawa-real-estate\">Ottawa<\/a>, and is known for being home to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kanatanorthba.com\/technology-hub-emerging-businesses-ottawa-kanata-north\/\">Canada\u2019s largest technology park<\/a>, with companies such as Nokia, Cisco, and Mitel. As such, the unemployment rate is generally low, and the average household income is around $146,600 per year, compared to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www12.statcan.gc.ca\/census-recensement\/2021\/dp-pd\/prof\/details\/page.cfm?Lang=E&amp;SearchText=Ontario&amp;DGUIDlist=2021A000235&amp;GENDERlist=1,2,3&amp;STATISTIClist=1,4&amp;HEADERlist=0\">provincial average<\/a> of $116,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kanata is home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canadiantirecentre.com\/\">Canadian Tire Centre<\/a>, which houses the Ottawa Senators NHL team, concerts and other sporting events. You\u2019ll also find plenty of shopping, restaurants, green spaces, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nepean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $615,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $137,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 132,769<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/nepean-real-estate\">Nepean<\/a> is also adjacent to the city of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/ottawa-real-estate\">Ottawa<\/a>, offering easy commuting for those working in downtown Ottawa or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/kanata-real-estate\">Kanata<\/a>. Nepean residents can enjoy the numerous parks and trails, including the popular Greenbelt. Like Kanata, Nepean has a higher average household income than the provincial average. Moreover, Nepean is full of family-friendly neighbourhoods, with proximity to great schools, parks, shopping, restaurants, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kingston<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $550,354<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $96,100<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 127,943<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/kingston-real-estate\">Kingston<\/a>, known as the Limestone City for its 19th-century limestone architecture, is celebrated for its historic charm. Its scenic location on Lake Ontario not only offers beautiful waterfront views and recreational opportunities but also contributes to a vibrant community and lively local lifestyle. The region also boasts a thriving arts scene, featuring 24 museums, art galleries, and historic sites to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/best-swimming-ontario\">Best Beaches and Lakes in Ontario for Swimming<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>The city has numerous post-secondary education opportunities, including Queens University, which ranks among the top 200 universities in the world, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.topuniversities.com\/qs-world-university-rankings\">QS World University Rankings<\/a>. Additionally, Kingston is roughly halfway between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/toronto-real-estate\">Toronto<\/a> and Montreal, which is great for weekend getaways to the big city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"our-picks-for-the-3-most-affordable-medium-cities-in-ontario\">Our Picks for the 3 Most Affordable Medium Cities in Ontario<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Medium-sized cities with populations between 30,000 and 100,000 can offer the best of both worlds. They often offer affordable communities, employment opportunities, and access to services, without traffic congestion or higher home prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Woodstock<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $555,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $95,800&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 46,296<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/woodstock-real-estate\">Woodstock<\/a> is a historic city of approximately 46,000 people. The downtown area offers unique experiences like the Woodstock Museum National Historic Site, Canada\u2019s largest antique mall, art galleries, and restaurants. In addition, the region is home to more than 98 cheese factories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In just over an hour on the 403, you can commute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/hamilton-real-estate\">Hamilton<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/burlington-real-estate\">Burlington<\/a>, and less than two hours on the 401 lands you in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/toronto-real-estate\">Toronto<\/a>, so you can work in the \u2018big city\u2019 and buy a home where your dollar stretches further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thunder Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $377,500<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $87,700<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 95,266<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/thunder-bay-real-estate\">Thunder Bay<\/a>, located in Northern Ontario, consistently ranks among Ontario\u2019s most affordable cities thanks to its lower housing costs. In the city, you\u2019ll find plenty of green spaces, including a lakefront park on the shores of Lake Superior. In addition, as the largest city in the region, you\u2019ll have access to health services, universities, and shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/cheap-cottages-for-sale\">Cheap Cottages for Sale in Ontario<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will certainly appreciate the easy access to numerous hiking trails, golf courses, ski hills, and provincial parks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leamington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $493,031<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income: $<\/strong>101,400<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 35,730<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in Southwestern Ontario, on the shores of Lake Erie, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/leamington-real-estate\">Leamington<\/a> is known for its fertile soil and being home to the largest concentration of greenhouses in Canada. As a result, the community has a thriving commercial and manufacturing sector.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leamington residents have excellent access to nature, with Point Pelee National Park directly south of the city. Moreover, you can also find locally owned restaurants, cafes, craft breweries, and historic museums. Homes in Leamington are some of the lowest in the cities we analyzed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-3-most-affordable-small-cities-in-ontario\">Top 3 Most Affordable Small Cities in Ontario<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While small cities may not offer as many amenities, they are much more affordable and offer a more family-friendly place to live at a slower pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arnprior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $399,995<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $92,300<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 11,305<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the Ottawa Valley, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/arnprior-real-estate\">Arnprior<\/a> has a population of 11,305 and is home to many employers in the hydropower generation, aerospace, lumber, and farming industries. The nearby Ottawa and Madawaska rivers offer beaches, fishing, and boating, while the downtown area offers shops, restaurants and cafes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/tiny-homes-for-sale-in-ontario\">Tiny Homes for Sale in Ontario<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Arnprior ranks highly due to the city\u2019s affordable housing market. For instance, the average house price in Arnprior was $399,995 in February 2026, compared to the provincial average of <a href=\"https:\/\/creastats.crea.ca\/board\/orea\">$802,601<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Carleton Place<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $642,500<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $100,700<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 12,514<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just west of Ottawa, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/carleton-place-real-estate\">Carleton Place<\/a> is full of small-town charm. This affordable city offers plenty of hiking trails and walking paths to enjoy. With a 25-minute commute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/kanata-real-estate\">Kanata<\/a> and a 40-minute commute to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/ottawa-real-estate\">Ottawa<\/a>, you\u2019ll certainly have access to everything you need, like schools, hospitals and medical centres, entertainment venues, shopping and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rockland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average home price:<\/strong> $580,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average household income:<\/strong> $111,600<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 13,625<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Rockland, a suburb of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/clarence-rockland-real-estate\">Clarence-Rockland<\/a>, is a bilingual city approximately 30 to 45 minutes away from Ottawa. As such, you\u2019ll always have access to urban amenities and services you need while living in a smaller town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-\">\u200bRockland grew by nearly 10% between 2016 and 2021 and is still growing, with the city projecting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarence-rockland.com\/en\/city-hall#:~:text=The%20City%20of%20Clarence%2DRockland,the%20conclusion%20of%20this%20timeframe.\">another 18% growth by 2036<\/a>. Why are so many people moving to Rockland? It\u2019s known as a family-friendly area with excellent schools, clean, well-maintained public areas, and a strong local job market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-makes-a-city-affordable-in-ontario?\">What Makes a City Affordable in Ontario?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We analyzed 96 cities to find and rank the most affordable places to buy a home in Ontario. For this analysis, small cities have a population between 10,000 and 30,000, medium cities between 30,000 and 100,000, and large cities over 100,000. Each city was then ranked based on the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-housing-affordability\">Housing Affordability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For housing to be affordable, home prices must be low, and the people living in the city must also earn enough to pay their bills. To measure this, we examined each city&#8217;s average income and compared it to the average home price. This comparison gave us a home price-to-income ratio. Cities with a lower price-to-income ratio are more affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-\">To determine the home price-to-income ratio, we sourced the average home prices for each region from individual real estate boards or the <a href=\"https:\/\/creastats.crea.ca\/en-CA\/\">Canadian Real Estate Association<\/a>. We found the average individual and household income from Statistics Canada&#8217;s Census 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-economic-strength\">Economic Strength<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we examined each city\u2019s current and potential economic strength. After all, home prices in an area may be low, but if the local economy is struggling, you might want to think twice about moving there. That means buyers need stable employment, and a city with chronically high unemployment won\u2019t support workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"h-\">To assess a city\u2019s economic strength, we gathered current unemployment rates and averaged them with the unemployment rate from the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Population Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The final element we considered is population growth. A city&#8217;s population will grow if there are jobs and places to live, spend time, and raise a family. Higher growth rates are assumed to result in more employment opportunities, making it easier to buy a home.<br><br>We took Statistics Canada Census data for 2016 and 2021 to calculate each city\u2019s population growth. The simple assumption is that the higher the population growth rate, the more job prospects the city offers. The more employment opportunities, the more economically stable the city is for homebuyers looking to enter the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Total Score<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To determine each city&#8217;s total score, we ranked each factor and assigned a score. The higher the score, the more affordable the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\">Methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In this study, we calculated the home price-to-income ratio for 96 Ontario cities, a list taken from the Federal Government\u2019s Economic Regions breakdown of Ontario cities by population size. The home-to-price ratio is based on average home prices from the most recent market trend data from the individual real estate boards, and is compared to the average income for households and single-income earners in that city (from Statistics Canada). We then ranked each city from 1-96 (1 indicating the lowest ratio and 96 indicating the highest affordability).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u200bSecondly, we pulled unemployment rates for each Ontario city from the Federal Government\u2019s Economic Regions data. Finally, we averaged the unemployment rates for March 2026 and March 2025. We then ranked the average unemployment rates for all Ontario cities, with lower rates considered better, as they reflect a more robust economy with plentiful employment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u200bFinally, we considered each city&#8217;s population growth. While a growing population may be a given for large cities, in medium and small cities, this data helps assess whether the city is growing economically and, as a result, able to support a growing population. The assumption is that the faster the population growth rate, the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u200bWe weighted the three variables to produce an overall score for each city, resulting in our list of the most affordable cities in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bottom-line\">Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying a home in Ontario doesn\u2019t have to be expensive. Affordable options exist; however, it is essential to consider job opportunities and quality of life before choosing a city to put down roots. A local real estate agent can help you find the right neighbourhood in the city you choose. Search <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/\">Zolo.ca<\/a> for homes for sale in the most affordable cities in Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"affordable-cities-in-ontario-faqs\">Affordable Cities in Ontario FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which city in Ontario has the lowest cost of living?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Timmins, located in northeastern Ontario, boasts a low cost of living, considering the average home price of $304,435 and the average two-person household income of $95,500.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where in Ontario are the cheapest house prices?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After our analysis, Timmins had the lowest average home price in February 2026 at $304,435. Timmins is a small city of 28,874 people in Northeastern Ontario and serves as a regional hub for shopping and healthcare. That said, Timmins&#8217; population has been declining since the 2011 <a href=\"https:\/\/www12.statcan.gc.ca\/census-recensement\/2011\/dp-pd\/prof\/details\/page.cfm?Lang=E&amp;Geo1=CMA&amp;Code1=586&amp;Geo2=PR&amp;Code2=35&amp;Data=Count&amp;SearchText=Timmins&amp;SearchType=Begins&amp;SearchPR=01&amp;B1=All&amp;Custom=&amp;TABID=1\">Canadian Census<\/a>. However, it ranked 28th out of 96 on our list of most affordable cities in Ontario.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where is the most affordable place to retire in Ontario?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many factors to consider when looking for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/best-places-to-retire-in-canada\">place to retire<\/a>. For example, housing prices, accessibility, safety and access to healthcare services. Considering home prices, cost of living, and the percentage of the population over 65, Kingston is the best place to retire in Ontario.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For those on a budget, here are the most affordable cities to buy a home in Ontario<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":25544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15089],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-18087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-places"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/112"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18087"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25555,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18087\/revisions\/25555"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18087"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=18087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}