London, ranks second among Ontario cities in a quality-of-life index released on Jan 19th by NUMBEO, a cost-of-living organization. The yearly index measured purchasing power, safety, health care, climate, cost of living, property prices, traffic and pollution.
Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis said London’s balance across those categories helped secure the high ranking.
Councillor-elect Shawn Lewis wears his Star Wars shirt at Fanshawe College’s Broadcast Centre
“When you look at other Ontario cities, even those close to us like Toronto or Brampton, they have much longer commute times,” Lewis said. “We’re still a city that’s easy to get around. We have excellent health-care services, and the big factor for me is the cost of living.”
London’s livability ranks slightly lower than Ottawa’s, but he noted Ottawa benefits from a higher concentration of government jobs and higher incomes.
“Pound for pound, money goes a long way here compared to other municipalities.” Said Lewis.
“In London, we have good purchasing power and a strong cost-of-living index.”
Lewis said safety remains an area the city needs to improve. He pointed to council’s plan to hire 100 additional London police officers by the end of the current term, noting the city is short-staffed for its size.
But one community service agency said the city does not deserve a second-place ranking, particularly when considering the experiences of low-income residents.
Megan Ciufo/Linkedin
Life-spin executive director Megan Ciufo said
“Our organization works with low-income families, and no, I don’t believe we’re second in Ontario,” Said Life-spin executive director Megan Ciufo. “Recent reports from the health unit show that issues affecting low-income families are only increasing.”
Ciufo said the index highlights growing inequality in the city.
“Depending on where you live, things may look really good,” she said. “But in other areas, conditions for people experiencing poverty are getting worse.”
Ciufo said the city needs stronger supports for low-income residents and people who are unhoused. City data shows 2,301 people were unhoused as of December 2025, an increase over the previous year.
“That number is totally unacceptable,” she said. “It shows we are not supporting people who are unhoused, especially during a winter like this.”
The quality-of-life index is published on the Numbeo cost-of-living website.
