Why London Continues to Attract Toronto Buyers

By Rishi Patpatia | Sales Representative, The Realty Firm Inc.

Toronto buyers moving to London Ontario are part of a broader shift that has reshaped the housing markets of mid-sized Ontario cities. For years, buyers leaving Toronto have been drawn to London by its relative affordability, quality of life, employment opportunities and access to major institutions.

Toronto to London Ontario Real Estate: The Price Gap Is Still Significant

The numbers tell a clear story. Between 2024 and 2025, the average home price in Toronto sat in the $1.1M to $1.2M range, according to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB). Over the same period, the average home price in London ranged from roughly $550K to $640K, based on data from the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR).

That gap changes everything for a buyer. Someone selling in Toronto can often purchase in London outright, or carry a dramatically smaller mortgage. For remote and hybrid workers, the choice between a detached home in a mature London neighbourhood for $600K and a condo in Toronto at the same price is a simple financial calculation. In many cases, the equity unlocked from a Toronto sale means arriving in London with no mortgage at all.

Remote Work Permanently Changed the Calculus

Before 2020, most buyers needed to live within reach of a Toronto employer. Today, a fast internet connection matters more than proximity to a GO Train. Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey continues to show that a meaningful share of Ontario workers now do their jobs from home for at least part of the week.

For anyone moving from Toronto to London Ontario, that shift is the turning point. London offers the infrastructure of a mid-size city without the commuter overhead that comes with living in the GTA.

Quality of Life Metrics Favour London

Shorter Commutes

The average commute in London is under 25 minutes, according to Statistics Canada. Toronto, by contrast, consistently ranks among the most congested cities in North America in the TomTom Traffic Index. Less time in traffic means more time for family, fitness and life outside of work.

Lower Cost of Living

Everyday expenses such as groceries, dining out, childcare and transit are meaningfully lower in London. Lower purchase prices also mean lower assessed values, which helps keep annual property tax bills manageable for many households.

Green Space and Recreation

The Thames Valley Parkway offers more than 40 km of trails winding through the city. Springbank Park and Victoria Park provide accessible urban green space for walking, cycling, festivals and family time, all within minutes of most neighbourhoods.

Health Care and Education Anchors

• London Health Sciences Centre: one of Canada's largest teaching hospitals
• Western University and Fanshawe College: major economic and cultural drivers for the region
• Strong K to 12 schools: a well-established network of public and Catholic schools

These institutions anchor the local economy and make London a practical destination, not just a price-driven one.

Infrastructure and Growth Investment

• The London Plan: the City's Official Plan directs density and transit investment for long-term growth
• Rapid transit: new bus rapid transit corridors are expanding mobility across the city
• Employment anchors: major employers including Amazon and the automotive sector
• VIA Rail: a roughly two-hour train connection to Toronto remains a practical link

What Toronto Buyers Should Know Before They Move

Buying a home in London Ontario is not the same as buying in Toronto. A few things to keep in mind:

• The London market moves differently, and bidding wars are less predictable.
• Neighbourhood selection matters, because not all areas appreciate equally.
• Work with a local London agent who understands micro-market dynamics.
• Think about long-term resale and choose areas with diversified buyer demand.

The buyers getting the best outcomes in London are the ones who treat it as a real market, not a cheaper version of Toronto. Local knowledge is the edge.

Final Thoughts

The move from Toronto to London is driven by affordability, lifestyle, infrastructure and the permanent normalization of remote work. For buyers making the move, London Ontario real estate offers real long-term value, provided they approach it with local market knowledge rather than big-city assumptions.

Thinking about making the move from Toronto to London? Reach out anytime and I'll walk you through the neighbourhoods, pricing and strategy that fit your goals.

Sources

• Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB): Monthly Market Reports, trreb.ca
• London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR): Market Stats, lstar.ca
• Statistics Canada: Commuting Duration, Census Metropolitan Areas, statcan.gc.ca
• Statistics Canada: Work from Home Data, Labour Force Survey, statcan.gc.ca
• TomTom Traffic Index: Toronto Congestion Rankings, tomtom.com/traffic-index
• City of London: Official Plan and Growth Projections, london.ca
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC): Migration and Housing Demand Reports, cmhc-schl.gc.ca