Top 6 Cheapest places to live in Ontario with the Best quality of life – 2024

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,481
• Average home price: $305,100

Sault Ste. Marie is a quiet town known for its natural beauty, where residents enjoy the outdoors surrounded by parks and recreational areas. They claim it has a friendly community, making it a preferred choice for many retirees seeking tranquility. To get around in town, a 15-minute drive is typically sufficient, even with minimal traffic. The town offers easy access to shops along the St. Mary’s River and the border to the US. The housing options mainly consist of apartment buildings and single-detached houses.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,640
• Average home price: $420,600

North Bay is located along the shores of Lake Nipissing and offers a mix of natural beauty with city charm. With forests and lakes, residents claim to enjoy hiking, fishing, and winter sports. The community is home to mainly singles in their 20s and couples in their 50s, making it easy to find a lively scene nearby, with college students from Nipissing University and Canadore College.

Conveniently located within a 3-hour drive to downtown Toronto and U.S. markets, North Bay provides job opportunities in business, education, law, and sales. The only downside is harsh winters.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,320
• Average home price: $374,111

Thunder Bay, on Lake Superior’s shores, is celebrated for its natural beauty and green spaces. Residents enjoy hiking in parks like Kakabeka Falls and family-friendly spots like Chapples Park. The city’s lone hospital is the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre located in the heart of the city. Transportation here is mainly by car, supplemented by public transit through buses.

The most popular housing type is single detached houses, followed by apartments. Even though housing prices have been increasing throughout the years, it is still more affordable than in other big cities.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,588
• Average home price: $452,560 

Chatham-Kent is an excellent place to live if you’re looking for a relaxed lifestyle with affordable rent and housing prices. It’s a popular retirement destination due to its calm atmosphere and low cost of living. The area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, offering great opportunities for fishing, hiking, and enjoying beautiful beaches. Although nightlife options are limited, you’ll find a diverse range of restaurants catering to various cuisines.

Located near Lake Erie, Chatham-Kent provides easy access to a picturesque beach. The town also has all the basic shopping amenities you might need. Crime rates and drug use are significantly lower here compared to Toronto. Despite online discussions suggesting otherwise, the Crime Severity Index (CSI) in Chatham-Kent is actually 71.39, which is relatively low.

For sports fans, Chatham-Kent is conveniently located within a 90-minute drive of Detroit, where you can catch major league games in MLB, NHL, NFL, or NBA.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,433
• Average home price: $424,285

Cornwall offers a mix of modernity and scenic beauty along the St. Lawrence River. Residents here, mostly aged between their 50s and late 70s, claim to have a good life at a lower cost, living in housing types that mainly include single-detached homes, apartments, and condominiums.

Outdoor activities are abundant and residents engage in them as a healthy form of exercise. The city provides parks like Lamoureux Park for scenic views, winter activities, and hiking trails at Guindon Park. Commuting here is mainly by car, with a duration of less than 15 minutes to reach any destination within the city. While shopping options may not be top-notch, the proximity to larger cities like Ottawa and Montreal is a plus.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)

• Average 1-bed apt price: $1,397
• Average home price: $475,076

Greater Sudbury, known as the City of Lakes due to its 330 lakes, offers a mix of urban and natural areas. Surrounded by the Canadian Shield, residents enjoy recreational facilities and outdoor activities year-round. Most residents are in their 20s and mid-30s, and it is considered the regional center for learning and research in Northeastern Ontario. Home top universities in Ontario, like Laurentian University and Cambrian College, both ranked in the top 50 in Canada for research.

Housing includes mainly 1 to 4-floor apartments, some higher structures, and single-detached houses.

Zumper (Aug 2024) & CREA (July 2024)