Families
Childcare and family costs: London vs Toronto
For families, the move from Toronto to London is often about space: a yard, a bedroom each, a basement playroom. On childcare fees, the two cities are now much closer than they used to be, thanks to the national childcare system. The bigger differences are availability, space and day-to-day costs.
Licensed childcare fees
Ontario participates in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. Under it, the province has been lowering fees for children under six at participating licensed centres and home childcare agencies, toward a target average of $10 a day. Ontario's auditor general has reported the province was not on track to meet that target, so actual fees vary by provider; check the current Ontario.ca child care pages and ask each centre for its fee. Fee levels are set provincially, so they're broadly similar between London and Toronto for participating providers.
What differs:
- Availability and waitlists. Demand for reduced-fee spaces has outpaced supply across Ontario. Waitlists vary by neighbourhood and age group (infant spaces are often hardest to find). In both cities, get on waitlists as early as possible.
- Non-participating providers. Some licensed providers aren't in the program and set their own fees.
- Before- and after-school care for school-age children is not covered by CWELCC in the same way, and costs vary by provider.
In London, the City of London manages the local childcare system, including the centralized waitlist and fee subsidies. Toronto has its own equivalent. Check the City of London's childcare pages for how to apply.
Space for the money
This is the big one for most families. Compare what each city's budget buys:
London
- Detached homes with yards within reach of many family budgets
- Basements commonly finished or finishable
- Parks and trails a short walk from most neighbourhoods
Toronto
- Families often in condos, townhouses or semis at similar budgets
- Yards smaller or shared
- Excellent transit access to activities
See housing costs for how to compare real prices.
Activities and recreation
Municipal recreation programs, such as swimming, skating, camps and sports, are run by each city with their own fee schedules. In our experience the bigger differences are practical:
- Getting there: in London, most activities mean driving. Count the gas and time.
- Registration competition: popular programs fill quickly in both cities. Get on the City of London's recreation mailing list early.
- Rep sports and hockey: London has a strong hockey culture, with ice time, travel and equipment costs similar to anywhere in Ontario.
Schools
Public education is funded provincially and free in both cities. London is served by the Thames Valley District School Board, the London District Catholic School Board, and French-language boards. As in Toronto, your designated school depends on your address. Private school options exist in London but are fewer than in Toronto. Our sister site London School Zones covers schools and boundaries.
Post-secondary
Western University and Fanshawe College are in London, so many London families can save on residence costs by having kids live at home while studying. That's a real long-term saving compared with sending a child away. Toronto families have the same advantage with Toronto's institutions.
Healthcare for kids
OHIP coverage is the same everywhere in Ontario. London is home to the Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, which serves Southwestern Ontario. Finding a family doctor or paediatric care can take time in both cities.
Grandparents and extended family
An often-overlooked family cost is help. If grandparents in the GTA provide regular childcare, moving two hours away can mean paying for care that used to be free. If your extended family is in Southwestern Ontario, the move can do the opposite. Count it honestly, since informal help can be worth thousands of dollars a year.
The family budget, summarised
- Childcare fees: similar for participating licensed providers. Availability is the bigger variable.
- Housing: far more space per dollar in London.
- Transportation: likely higher in London if you add a car for drop-offs and activities.
- Utilities: higher if you move to a larger home.
- Everyday spending (groceries, clothing): largely national prices, with similar costs in both cities.
Your local agent
See what your budget actually buys in London
Averages only go so far. The most useful comparison is concrete: what homes like the one you want have recently sold for in the London neighbourhoods you'd consider. Rayna Elabed, a Sales Representative with CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp., Brokerage in London, can help you look at current listings and recent sales so you can put real numbers against your Toronto costs.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, Child care fees and the CWELCC system.
- City of London, child care and early years.
- Thames Valley District School Board; London District Catholic School Board.