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Things to Know When Moving to Ontario

There are many provinces in Canada. But you have already chosen or thinking about Ontario. However, before moving to Ontario, there are many things you should know to avoid legal issues and administrative situations.

There are several factors you should consider before you move to Ontario. You can find essential things on the internet in a scattered way, but in this article, I gathered all the essential things to know when moving to Ontario.

It has some of the best places in Canada, like Toronto and Ottawa. And London is famous for its low cost of living.

Moving to Ontario: An overview

Canada is a vast country. A total of 10 provinces are there as you choose to know about Ontario.

Then, you should ask 2 questions –

Why should I choose Ontario?
Should I avoid Ontario?

The decision is yours. But, I will help you to find the answers. So, let’s roll with some exciting info…

For Whom Ontario Is Best

Ontario is one of the best provinces to live in with a higher standard of living. Business Insider data showed that Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is on the list of “Top 10 Most Livable Cities” worldwide.

Moving to Ontario is not an easy decision. It has its pros and cons. If you are considering moving to Ontario, here are some things you should know about the province.

Ontario offers –

Free public healthcare
A higher standard of living
Lucrative salaries
More job opportunities with Better Salaries
Its tech hub in Canada

To learn more about Ontario from here.

Consider 4 Things Upon Arrival in Ontario

You might need some information if you are planning to from outside Canada. And the rest are helpful for those planning to move to Ontario from another province.

Considering 4 things will provide you hassle-free move upon arrival in Ontario. These administrative measures you should get when you move to Ontario –

Get Your Health Card: Apply for a health card to cover health care services. Apply here –Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Once you have an Ontario health card, it covers primary health care and cares in hospitals.
Get Your Driver’s License: You must go long distances within or outside the province. Most people know you need a driver’s license to drive legally. But, where to apply for a license? Well, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) is the place to get your license for Ontario or Service Ontario to renew your Canadian driver’s license.
Get a Local Phone & Internet plan: On average, you need to pay from $50.00 to $170.00 per month to get a standard or premium plan accordingly.
Change to New Address: Driver’s license, Ontario photo card, health card, vehicle registration, and land registration. You need to change the address at least 2-3 weeks before you move to Ontario. Make sure electricity providers and services of financial institutions (i.e., bank accounts, credit cards) and some relevant other private organizations need to get the notification of your new Ontario address. All and more can be done online or in person at Service Ontario.

Funding Opportunities in Ontario

There are a lot of funding opportunities available in Ontario. There are several funding areas: Research & Development, Business Expansion, Capital & Tech Adoption, Hiring & Training.

Find the funding opportunities here.

Air Quality, Temperature & Weather

Air quality

To live with peace and comfort, air quality matters. Isn’t it? To check Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), Click here.

Temperature & weather:

The yearly temperature of Ontario ranges from 44°F to 93°F (in Celsius: 6°C to 33°C). Rarely does it go below 36°F and above 101°F (in Celsius: 6°C to 33°C). In Ontario, Summer starts at the end of June and continues till September. Typically, the coldest month of the year is January.

Minimum Income Tax Rate in Ontario (Compare to Other Provinces)

I decided to share with you the comparison of taxable income rates to other provinces, which will help you to decide… Ontario is the best choice for you, or should you rethink it.

My suggestion would be -to think twice before your move to any province. Because once you get there, it is an expensive hassle to move to another province, in terms of time and money of course.

The provincial rate for taxable income (All 10 provinces in Canada) –

Province	Minimum Income Tax Rate (For 2022 tax year)
Ontario	5.05% on the taxable income: $46,226 or less
Newfoundland and Labrador	8.7% on the taxable income: $39,147 or less
Prince Edward Island	9.8% on the taxable income: $31,984 or less
Nova Scotia	8.79% on the taxable income: $29,590 or less
New Brunswick	9.68% on the taxable income: $44,887 or less
Quebec	15% on the taxable income: $46,295 or less
Alberta	10% on the taxable income: $131,220 or less
Manitoba	10.8% on the taxable income: $34,431 or less
Saskatchewan	10.5% on the taxable income: $46,773 or less
British Columbia	5.06% on the taxable income: $43,070 or less

Living Standard Details You Must Know Before Move to Ontario

Everyone knows that Ontario is one of the most diverse provinces in Canada. Alongside this, it is one of the dominant contributors to Canadian GDP.

According to the Government of Ontario, this is a province of approximately 15 million people in Canada. You’ll find people from all over the world living and working here. It has a long history of immigration, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find different cultures, religions, and languages throughout this beautiful province.

Regarding income tax, it’s the same all over Ontario. The Canadian Government fixes the minimum wage. But, the Minimum Cost of living varies in different cities. Housing, Food costs,

Transportation & Childcare varies. So, I will compare 3 cities: London, Ottawa & Toronto.

How Are the Rates of Ontario Income Tax?

The income tax rate for Ontario ranged from 5.05% to 13.16%. The lowest rate of first-taxable income is relatively lower than in other provinces.

Here is the full chart of the income tax rates on taxable income for Ontario –

Rate	The taxable income range for Ontario
5.05%	$46,226 or less
9.15%	more than $46,226 but not more than $92,454, plus
11.16%	more than $92,454 but not more than $150,000, plus
12.16%	more than $150,000 but not more than $220,000, plus
13.16%	more than $220,000.

Minimum Cost of Living

Relatively low cost of living & higher standard lifestyle is the most popular reasons for moving to Ontario.

When you think about moving to Ontario from another province and your income is not in the high range, you have to think about the minimum wage and minimum cost of living here in Ontario. Because you need to grab some idea about the living standard you are hoping to get in Ontario.

And if you are getting high paying salary or not too much thinking about the monthly cost of different Ontario cities, you can even catch the idea.

The comparison of the monthly cost of living between 3 cities in Ontario will be the calculating chart for your next move.

Here is the chart of the monthly cost for 2 people and 3 people (One child family) –

Expenses		For 2 People			For 3 People (One child family)
Expenses		London	Ottawa	Toronto	London	Ottawa	Toronto
Housing	Rent	$1,279	$1,547	$1,680	$1,279	$1,547	$1,680
	Electricity	$89	$84	$104	$89	$84	$104
	Phone & Internet	$168.75	$168.75	$168.75	$168.75	$168.75	$168.75
Food cost		$795.83	$795.83	$795.83	$1,193.75	$1,193.75	$1,193.75
Transportation		$577.92	$577.92	$577.92	$577.92	$577.92	$577.92
Childcare (Preschool)					$1,075	$1,018	$1,250
Total		$2910.5	$3173.5	$3326.5	$4383.42	$4589.42	$4974.42

Minimum Wage in Ontario

The general minimum wage applies to most employees. For students and homeworkers, the rate is slightly changed. Students got the lowest minimum wage among all employee groups.

Minimum wage rates for different employee groups: The following table is the chart for minimum wage per hour for different employees –

Employee Groups	January 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022	October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023
General minimum wage	15.00/hour	$15.50/hour
For Student	$14.10/hour	$14.60/hour
For Homeworkers	$16.50/hour	$17.05/hour

If you want more about minimum wage rates for employees, Click here to check the details.

Where to Live in Ontario: The Best Places (Including Recommendations for You)

Though it’s up to you, which place is suitable for you to live, I am here to help you with the decision. Right?

If you want my recommendation, then I will say – Pick one from the following 3 cities if you want to grab more opportunities –

London (Budget-friendly area)
Ottawa (Mid-range area)
Toronto (Expensive area)

Now I would like to mention a few cities you can consider if you want to grab a bit different taste of environment for living. Because I know all the people are not obsessed with the big city life. So, let’s check my other recommendations –

Hamilton: It is famous for Waterfalls. Fantastic locations are waiting for you with the flow of 100 waterfalls. In recent years, Hamilton has been getting the eyeballs of young entrepreneurs because of its “low-cost entrepreneurship.”
Barrie: A small city – Barrie, situated in Southern Ontario, within Simcoe County and along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay.
Cobourg: If you like lakes & small towns, then Cobourg is the best choice. You can visit a lake anytime. Do you know- Why? Because there is no barrier between this city and Lake Ontario. 😊
Halton Hills: Do you love Niagara or trails? You will find both here. Halton Hills, the northwestern end area of greater Toronto, includes Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail.
Waterloo: Want to live in Toronto? But you can’t afford it there. Consider Waterloo. It is located near Toronto. A piece of affordable information might increase your interest in Waterloo: The average house price is around $405,000.

The other two options I can recommend are – North bay and St. Catharines.

However, I discussed many factors, dollar issues, opportunities, pros, and cons. Now, you can select the area you want to live in based on your financial situation, the taste of living, and your priority.

Conclusion

“Things to know” when moving to Ontario are vital information to avoid uncertain situations. I am sure you got the idea of which factors you need to consider upon arrival in Ontario. You need to create a “To do” checklist with a timeline to make the moving task in the basket “Done.” Even you can use a calculator to ensure your checklist meets your budget.

Oh, another thing, you can share this article if you think this article is informative. Share on your social media so that your friends and family can grab these tips.

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