10 Cheapest Cities to Live in Ontario 2026 (Rent Under $1,500)

The headline "Ontario Housing Crisis" usually focuses on the $2,500 one-bedroom apartments in Toronto or the bidding wars in Ottawa. But for the digital nomad, the remote worker, or the student on a budget, there is another side to the province. In 2026, while the provincial average remains a challenge, there are still pockets of affordability where you can live for significantly less than half of a GTA salary.

Finding a rental under $1,500 in 2026 requires a "Northern and Eastern" strategy. By moving away from the Golden Horseshoe, you can find cities with a lower cost of living, shorter commutes, and—most importantly—landlords who aren't demanding six months of rent upfront. These cities are no longer just "mining towns" or "border stops"; they have transformed into tech-friendly, logistics-heavy hubs with high-speed fiber internet and growing diverse populations.

This guide ranks the 10 cheapest cities in Ontario for 2026, based on current market data for one-bedroom apartments. We have focused on cities with established infrastructure, transit, and job markets so you don't have to sacrifice quality of life for a lower rent check.

The 2026 "Affordability" Leaderboard: January 2026 Data

1. Windsor: The Border Powerhouse

As of January 2026, Windsor has become the primary target for those fleeing the high prices of the GTA. Despite its proximity to the US border and a booming manufacturing sector, one-bedroom apartments in neighborhoods like Walkerville and Sandwich still average around $1,338.

• The Draw: A climate that is significantly milder than the rest of Ontario and an economy shifting toward EV battery production.
• Neighborhood Pick: Riverside offers scenic views of the Detroit skyline with many low-rise apartments maintaining rents under the $1,500 threshold.

2. Brockville: The Hidden Eastern Gem

Brockville is often overlooked, but it is a sleeper hit for 2026. With 1-bedroom rents averaging $1,330, it is a paradise for those who work remotely but want to stay within driving distance of Ottawa and Montreal.

• The Draw: Incredible access to the St. Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands.
• Pro-Tip: Focus on the area around Glenn Wood Place for modern floor plans at vintage prices.

3. Timmins: The 2026 Resource Giant

Timmins is no longer just a "gold city." It is a major healthcare and regional service hub for the Northeast. While 1-bedroom units can reach $1,466, studios in the Mountjoy area are often available for as low as **$1,253**.

• The Draw: High wages in the resource sector combined with low living costs.
• Benefit Link: If you are moving to Timmins for work, check your Benefit Payment Dates to ensure your relocation costs are covered.

4. Sault Ste. Marie: The Northern Tech Anchor

"The Soo" has successfully pivoted from a heavy industrial town to a tech-friendly community with high-speed fiber internet throughout the city. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,385.

• The Draw: High-speed internet is a standard here, making it perfect for BetterPayJobs.ca remote roles.
• Pro-Tip: Look at Goulais Avenue for apartments that often include heating—a major savings in Northern winters.

5. Cornwall: The Logistics Hub

Located on the Highway 401 corridor, Cornwall is the logistics gateway of Canada. Rents in the East End are consistently under $1,495.

• The Draw: Massive employment opportunities in warehouse and logistics management.
• Pro-Tip: Avoid the luxury "Centretown" developments if you are strictly trying to save for a Rent Bank repayment or future down payment.

6. Thunder Bay: The Education & Healthcare Hub

Thunder Bay is the largest city in Northwestern Ontario, offering big-city amenities at small-town prices. While the median is slightly over $1,500, studios and older 1-bedroom units in Westfort and Vickers Park are widely available for **$1,220**.

• The Draw: Home to Lakehead University and a major regional hospital.
• Pro-Tip: Moving in May or June is best, as students leave and landlords look to fill units for the summer.

7. Sarnia: The Energy Coast

Sarnia offers some of the most consistent rental stock in the province. 1-bedroom units average $1,579, but many inclusive units are available in the North End near the waterfront.

• The Draw: High-paying jobs in the petrochemical and green energy sectors.
• Legal Note: Ensure you understand the Ontario Rent Increase Guideline before signing a lease here, as newer developments may not be rent-controlled.

8. Belleville: The Central Crossroads

Belleville serves as the midpoint between Toronto and Ottawa. Rents for studios start at $1,458, making it an attractive "exit point" from the GTA.

• The Draw: Proximity to Prince Edward County's tourism and wine region without the high property taxes.
• Neighborhood Pick: Old East Hill offers historic charm and smaller apartment complexes with character.

9. Sudbury: The Nickel Capital

Sudbury's rental market is vast and varied. While some newer units hit $1,800, the Lively and Garson areas consistently offer 1-bedroom units for **$1,500–$1,600**.

• The Draw: A unique landscape of 330 lakes and a major regional university (Laurentian).
• Pro-Tip: Sudbury is a "car city." Save on rent by looking further from the city center where transit is less frequent.

10. North Bay: The Gateway to the North

North Bay sits on the shores of Lake Nipissing and offers a stunning quality of life. Studio units average $1,326, while 1-bedroom units in neighborhoods like Gateway are available for $1,740 (but often negotiated down in 2026's cooling market).

• The Draw: An incredible mix of aviation, film production, and tourism.
• Benefit Link: Use the LEAP Program to cover your heating bills during North Bay’s colder months.

Master Strategy for 2026 Renters

Finding a rental under $1,500 in 2026 requires more than just scrolling through Zillow. In a high-demand market, the best units never hit the major websites. You need a proactive, street-level strategy.

1. The "Kijiji Ghost" Strategy (Unlisted Rentals)

The highest-value apartments in Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, and Cornwall are often owned by "mom-and-pop" landlords who don't want to pay listing fees.

• The Move: Search Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji using the "Latest First" filter. Many landlords in these smaller cities prefer a phone call over an email.
• The Secret: Walk the neighborhoods you like. Look for "For Rent" signs in windows. These are often the "All-Inclusive" deals that save you $200/month on utilities.

2. Renting with Bad Credit: The 2026 Workaround

If your credit score is under 650, landlords in the GTA might ignore you. In the cities listed above, you have more leverage.

• The Portfolio: Bring three months of bank statements showing your Employment Insurance or wage deposits.
• The Guarantor: Having a local reference is more powerful than a credit score in cities like Sudbury or North Bay.
• The Truth: A landlord cannot legally require a "Security Deposit" in Ontario. However, they can require a "Last Month's Rent" deposit. If your credit is poor, offering to pay two months upfront (First and Last) is often the key to getting the keys.

3. Fighting Illegal Damage Deposits

In 2026, some landlords are still trying to charge "Damage Deposits" or "Pet Deposits." In Ontario, these are 100% illegal.

• The Law: A landlord can only collect a Rent Deposit (maximum one month) and a Key Deposit (the actual replacement cost of the keys).
• The Strategy: If a landlord demands a $1,000 damage deposit, do not fight them before you move in—you might lose the unit. Move in, pay it, and then file a T1 application with the Landlord and Tenant Board to have the money returned.

4. Negotiating Rent in a Cooling Market

In 2026, for the first time in years, the rental market is cooling in secondary Ontario cities.

• The Leverage: If an apartment has been listed for more than 14 days, you have the power. Offer $100 less than the asking price or ask for "Utilities Included" to be added to the lease. Many landlords would rather have a stable tenant at $1,400 than an empty unit at $1,500.

About the Author

Jeff Calixte (MC Yow-Z) is a Canadian labour market researcher and digital entrepreneur specializing in government benefit data and cost-of-living support. As the founder of CanadaPaymentDates.ca and BetterPayJobs.ca, Jeff helps newcomers, students, and workers navigate the Canadian social safety net—from tracking CRA payment schedules to finding entry-level work.

Sources

1. Apartments.com: Rental Market Trends in Timmins, ON - January 2026
2. Zumper: Average Rent in Windsor, ON and Price Trends
3. Zillow: Average Rental Price in Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Market Summary
4. Rentola.ca: Affordable Houses for Rent in Ontario 2026 Listings

Note

Official 2026 payment dates and benefit amounts are determined by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provincial governments. While we strive to keep this information current, government policies and schedules are subject to change without notice. All data in this guide is verified against official CRA circulars at the time of publication and should be treated as an estimate. We recommend confirming the status of your personal file directly via CRA My Account or by calling the CRA benefit line at 1-800-387-1193.