Average and Median Income in London, Ontario

London is a mid-sized city in southwestern Ontario with a diversified economy: in 2025, health care employed 15.1% of London CMA workers, manufacturing 11.7% and educational services 9.0%, against the shares across Canadian CMAs combined (13.5%, 8.3% and 7.7%). The sections below compare London’s household income and housing costs with Toronto and Ottawa.

Household income data on this page is from Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, Focus on Geography Series, which reports median after-tax household income by Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) for the 2020 reference year, the most recent year Statistics Canada has published this figure at the city level. Individual income data for London ($43,850, 2023) is available from StatCan’s taxfiler Table 11-10-0008-01. For the province-wide figure, see our Ontario income guide.

Median household income in London

Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Focus on Geography Series, “Median after-tax income of households,” London (CMA), 2015 to 2020 (2020 constant dollars); and Table 11-10-0008-01 (individual income, 2023 reference year).

London’s median household income in 2020 was 13.8% higher than in 2015; the national median was 9.8% higher than in 2015. London’s 2020 median of $71,000 compares with the national figure of $73,000. Ontario’s more recent (2024) province-wide median after-tax income was $79,500; see our Ontario income guide for that figure.

Income vs. housing affordability in London

This ratio compares a 2020 household income figure to a home price from August 2026 and should be read as directional. The London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS publishes an average sale price rather than an MLS HPI benchmark; an average moves with the mix of homes sold, so treat comparisons with benchmark-based ratios as approximate. On this measure London’s ratio is lower than Toronto’s, lower than Hamilton’s and higher than Ottawa’s (a lower ratio means housing is more affordable relative to income).

How London compares to other Ontario cities

Use our mortgage affordability calculator to see what you can afford today.

Key industries driving London income

• Healthcare: London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care are among the city’s largest employers. LHSC, one of Canada’s largest acute-care teaching hospitals, serves patients from London, the surrounding region and beyond.
• Education: Western University and Fanshawe College (about 43,000 students a year) are among London’s largest employers, and educational services employed 9.0% of London CMA workers in 2025
• Insurance and financial services: Canada Life (formerly London Life) is among London’s largest employers, though finance, insurance and real estate employed 7.4% of London CMA workers in 2025, against the 8.1% share across all CMAs
• Manufacturing: Automotive parts, food processing, and advanced manufacturing
• Professional and technical services: Employment in professional, scientific and technical services, which includes computer systems design, rose from 14,700 in 2015 to 31,400 in 2025
• Defence: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada designs and builds light armoured vehicles (LAVs) in London

Rental affordability in London

The average rent for a 1-bedroom purpose-built apartment in London was $1,384/month as of the CMHC Rental Market Survey (October 2025), against $1,761 in Toronto and $1,410 in Hamilton. See our London rental market page for the full breakdown, and our rent affordability calculator for a personalized estimate.

Income trends in London

London has experienced significant economic shifts:

• 2010–2015: Major manufacturing plant closures, including Electro-Motive Diesel’s locomotive plant (closure agreed in February 2012) and Kellogg’s cereal plant (closed December 2014, more than 500 jobs)
• 2020–2021: Net migration from elsewhere in Ontario to the London CMA rose to 4,524 people in 2020/2021, up from 2,499 the year before, and the CMA’s population grew from 548,743 in 2019 to 567,539 in 2021 (July 1 estimates)

Cost of living beyond housing

• Ontario HST of 13%: Same across all Ontario cities
• Ontario Health Premium: An additional tax for most incomes above $20,000
• Transit: London Transit Commission; only 4.9% of London commuters took transit in the 2021 Census (15.6% in Toronto), but an adult unlimited monthly Citipass costs $112, versus up to $155.10 a month on the TTC (47 adult trips at $3.30, after which fare capping makes rides free)
• Auto dependency: London is more car-dependent than Toronto, making vehicle ownership costs a significant budget item

Estimate your London take-home pay with our income tax calculator or salary calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good salary in London, Ontario? Compare rents: the average one-bedroom rent in purpose-built apartments was $1,384 in October 2025, versus $1,761 in Toronto and $1,809 in Vancouver. A household income in the $65,000–$75,000 range provides a reasonably comfortable lifestyle, though homebuying still requires a substantial income relative to the CMA’s 2020 median of $71,000 given current home prices. See our income to afford a home calculator for a personalized estimate.

How does London compare to Toronto for income and affordability? London’s median household income was $71,000 in 2020, against $85,000 in Toronto, and its August 2026 average home price was 40% below the City of Toronto’s. The price-to-income table above shows the net effect.

Related tools and resources

• London Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
• London Rental Market — Current average rents and vacancy rates
• Ontario Mortgage Rates — Find the best rates
• Ontario Land Transfer Tax Calculator — Calculate closing costs
• Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks
• Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford