Cost to Buy a Home in London

Income needed, down payment, closing costs and monthly payment, September 2026

Buying the average home in London, at $611,509 in September 2026, takes a down payment of at least $36,151, $13,946 more in land transfer tax and closing costs, and a household income of about $150,000 to pass the mortgage stress test. The mortgage payment would be about $3,164 a month at the average rate on new insured 5-year fixed mortgages (4.05% in July 2026), plus about $885 in property tax. With 20% down ($122,302), the payment is about $2,705 and the income needed about $133,000. A single-family home at $654,008 needs about $160,000; a condo at $312,553 needs about $80,000. Across 2 of its cities, the income needed ranges from $136,000 in St. Thomas to $146,000 in the City of London.

That is 1.56 times the median household income in the London census metropolitan area: an estimated $96,300 today, from $79,500 in the 2021 Census (incomes of 2020) grown 21% with Ontario's average weekly earnings.

Every market and city on one page: housing affordability in Canada, by city.

By the HousingPortal.ca team · Data: London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), September 2026; Bank of Canada rates for July 2026 · Updated

With the minimum down payment

Average homeSingle-familyCondo
Price$611,509$654,008$312,553
Down payment$36,151 (5.9%)$40,401 (6.2%)$15,628 (5.0%)
Mortgage insurance$23,014 added to the mortgage$24,544 added to the mortgage$11,877 added to the mortgage
Mortgage$598,372$638,151$308,802
Mortgage payment$3,164 at 4.05%$3,374 at 4.05%$1,633 at 4.05%
Property tax$885$946$452
Heating$150$150$150
Monthly cost$4,199$4,471$2,235
Land transfer tax$8,705$9,555$3,163
Sales tax on the insurance$1,841$1,964$950
Legal fees, inspection and other costs$3,400$3,400$3,400
Cash needed to close$50,097$55,320$23,141
Income needed$150,000 a year$160,000 a year$80,000 a year

Monthly costs are for the mortgage, property tax and heating only: home insurance, utilities, maintenance and condo fees come on top. Figures for September 2026.

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With 20% down

Average homeSingle-familyCondo
Price$611,509$654,008$312,553
Down payment$122,302 (20.0%)$130,802 (20.0%)$62,511 (20.0%)
Mortgage$489,207$523,206$250,042
Mortgage payment$2,705 at 4.49%$2,893 at 4.49%$1,383 at 4.49%
Property tax$885$946$452
Heating$150$150$150
Monthly cost$3,740$3,989$1,985
Land transfer tax$8,705$9,555$3,163
Legal fees, inspection and other costs$3,400$3,400$3,400
Cash needed to close$134,407$143,757$69,074
Income needed$133,000 a year$141,000 a year$70,000 a year

With 20% or more down, the mortgage needs no insurance and takes the uninsured rate (4.49%).

For first-time buyers

First-time buyers get $4,000 of the $8,705 land transfer tax back. They can also spread an insured mortgage over 30 years instead of 25, which brings the payment to $2,868 a month and the income needed to about $142,000, for a premium 0.20 points higher ($24,165). Savings in a First Home Savings Account (up to $40,000) and up to $60,000 from an RRSP under the Home Buyers' Plan can go toward the down payment.

Every program for first-time buyers in Ontario, with who qualifies, is in our guide to first-time home buyer programs by province; the steps of a first purchase are in the first-time home buyer's guide.

Cost to buy in each city

St. Thomas$544,865$29,487$3,812$136,000
City of London$591,927$34,193$4,069$146,000

Each city at its own average price from the September 2026 report, with the minimum down payment and its own property tax rate.

Cost to Buy in London: Quick Answers

How much income do you need to buy a house in London?

About $150,000 a year for the average home at $611,509, with the minimum down payment and no other debts. It is about $160,000 for a single-family home at $654,008 and about $80,000 for a condo at $312,553. Lenders test you at 6.05%, the greater of the contract rate plus 2 points or 5.25%, and housing costs (mortgage, property tax and heating) can be at most 39% of your income.

How much is the down payment on a house in London?

At least $36,151 (5.9%) on the average home at $611,509: 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest. Below 20% down, mortgage insurance of $23,014 is added to the mortgage. Putting 20% down, $122,302, avoids the insurance.

What are the closing costs when buying a home in London?

About $13,946 on the average home: $8,705 in land transfer tax, about $3,400 in legal fees, title insurance, an inspection and adjustments, and $1,841 in provincial sales tax on the mortgage insurance. A first-time buyer gets $4,000 of the land transfer tax back.

What is the monthly cost of owning a home in London?

About $4,199 for the average home with the minimum down payment: $3,164 for the mortgage at 4.05% over 25 years, $885 in property tax and $150 for heating. Home insurance, utilities, maintenance and any condo fees come on top.

How much is property tax on a house in London?

About $10,619 a year on the average home at $611,509, at the average of its cities' 2026 rates, weighted by sales (1.736%). Ontario still assesses homes at their value on January 1, 2016, so the bill on a home bought today is usually lower than the rate times the price.

Can a household on the median income afford a home in London?

Not the typical home with the minimum down payment: the $150,000 needed for $611,509 is 1.56 times the estimated median household income of $96,300 in the London census metropolitan area. A condo at $312,553 needs about $80,000, 0.83 times the median. The median is from the 2021 Census, brought forward with Ontario's wage growth; half of households earn more than it. A larger down payment lowers the income needed.

How these figures are worked out

  • Prices are from our London housing market report for September 2026, built from the statistics of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR).
  • The minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest, and 20% from $1,500,000 (the down payment calculator works it out for any price). Below 20% down, the mortgage must be insured: the premium (2.80% to 4.00% of the loan) is added to the mortgage, and Ontario charges sales tax on it at closing.
  • Mortgage rates are the Bank of Canada's average of what banks charged on new fixed-rate mortgages of 5 years or more in July 2026: 4.05% insured and 4.49% uninsured. Payments are over 25 years. Every term, with the history since 2013, is on our mortgage rates page.
  • The income needed passes the stress test: the mortgage payment at the greater of the rate plus 2 points or 5.25%, plus property tax and $150 a month for heating, is 39% of gross income. It assumes no other debts; a car loan or student loan raises it, and for a condo, lenders also count half the condo fees.
  • Property tax is the price times the average of its cities' 2026 rates, weighted by sales (1.736%), each from the city's own published rates (see Ontario property tax rates). Ontario still assesses homes at their value on January 1, 2016, so the bill on a home bought today is usually lower than the rate times the price.
  • Land transfer tax is before any first-time buyer rebate. Other closing costs are an estimate: $1,800 in legal or notary fees, $300 for title insurance, $500 for an inspection and $800 in tax and utility adjustments.

Work out your own numbers

Cost to buy nearby

Other markets

Prices from the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR); mortgage rates from the Bank of Canada; 2026 property tax rates from each city.

The information presented on HousingPortal.ca is intended for general illustrative purposes only. While the information is believed to be reliable, it cannot be guaranteed for accuracy, completeness, or currency. Neither HousingPortal.ca and its employees, nor any other party identified in this guide/report, assumes any liability for the information provided. The views and opinions expressed by the analysts at HousingPortal.ca are their own and should not be considered as investment advice. It is recommended that you seek the advice of a licensed real estate professional before making any decisions regarding real estate investments.