Skyline of Oakville
Cost of Living: 125 214,000

Oakville, Canada

An affluent lakeside town on Lake Ontario, known for its charming downtown, harbourfront, and as a top-rated place to raise a family.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Oakville is a city in Ontario with a population of 214,000. An affluent lakeside town on Lake Ontario, known for its charming downtown, harbourfront, and as a top-rated place to raise a family. Housing is notably more expensive than the national average. The overall cost of living is above the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 5a growing zone supports Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 125

Very High vs Canada Avg (100)

Housing Index 140

Above Average

Median Income C$85,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Oakville vs Canada Average

Cost of Living
Oakville: 125
Canada Avg: 100
Housing Index
Oakville: 140
Canada Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Oakville: 5.05%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.0%
  • Sales Tax: 13.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: C$85,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 214,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 205/year
  • Summer High: 79°F
  • Winter Low: 18°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: C$1,100,000
  • 1BR Rent: C$2200/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Oakville's cost of living index is 125 (Canada average = 100).

CategoryOakvilleNational AverageDifference
Overall125100+25.0%
Housing140100+40.0%

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceC$1,100,000
Median Rent (1BR)C$2200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)C$2,750/mo
Price per Sq FtC$733

Data source: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

C$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
C$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Oakville:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityC$165
Heating & CoolingC$74Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterC$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)C$65Broadband average
Garbage / TrashC$35Private service
Total UtilitiesC$394Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Remote Work Score

Oakville scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 125
Rent
— C$2200
Sunny Days
— 205
Tax
— 5.05%
Unemployment
— 5.0%
Climate
— 79°F / 18°F
Safety
— 2.1 homicides/100k
Population
— 214,000
Internet Speed
— 180 Mbps

Climate

Oakville has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January38°F18°F2.5"
April64°F33°F2.8"
July79°F54°F1.5"
October59°F36°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Oakville faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Western Canada has frequent wildfire seasons.

Blizzard High Risk

Most of Canada experiences severe winter storms and blizzards.

Avalanche High Risk

Rockies and coastal mountains with frequent avalanches.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Pacific coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Southern Canada experiences tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 5.05%
  • Sales Tax: 13%
  • Property Tax: ~1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-June)
Summer Break Late June to September (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March (1 week)

March break (1 week). PA days vary by board.

Demographics

The population of Oakville is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Arab
2.0%
Black
7.3%
Chinese
10.7%
European
40.7%
Filipino
4.4%
Indigenous
0.7%
Japanese
0.2%
Korean
1.2%
Latin American
2.5%
Other
7.2%
South Asian
18.9%
Southeast Asian
1.6%
West Asian
2.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
38.0%
High school graduate
24.9%
Less than high school
14.2%
Some college
22.9%

Religion

Data source: Statistics Canada Census 2021 (2021)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Oakville, Canada?

The cost of living index in Oakville is 125, which is Higher the Canada national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Oakville?

The median home price in Oakville is C$1,100,000. The housing index is 140.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Oakville is approximately C$2200/mo.

Does Oakville, ON have income tax?

Oakville is in ON, which has an income tax rate of 5.05%.

What is the climate like in Oakville?

Oakville enjoys approximately 205 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 79°F, while winter lows can drop to around 18°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Canada, 2026
  • Housing Data: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.