When GTA buyers ask me about moving to southwestern Ontario, most of them have heard of London. Fewer have looked hard at St. Thomas, 20 to 30 minutes south of London. It's a city of about 45,000 people with lower prices than London, a growing job base, and Lake Erie 15 minutes down the road. Here's what moving there from Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton or the 905 really looks like.
Thinking About St. Thomas?
Tell me what you're selling in the GTA and what you want here, and I'll show you what your budget gets in St. Thomas compared with London
548 490 4577How do GTA and St. Thomas prices compare?
| September 2026 | GTA (TRREB) | St. Thomas (LSTAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Average sale price, all homes | $1,006,409 | $544,865 |
| Typical home benchmark | n/a | $496,800 |
| Average condo apartment (GTA) | $605,257 | n/a |
| Average detached home (GTA) | $1,292,016 | n/a |
The comparison that surprises people most: the average GTA condo apartment sold for more than the average St. Thomas home in September. For the price of a one- or two-bedroom condo in the GTA, you're looking at a detached house with a yard in many parts of St. Thomas.
Price sources: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026; Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® September 2026 figures as reported by CTV Kitchener; LSTAR's September 2026 release. Each board measures prices its own way, so treat cross-board comparisons as broad, not exact. Drive times are off-peak estimates.
How far is St. Thomas from Toronto and London?
- St. Thomas to Toronto: about 2 hours 20 minutes off-peak by car, via the 401.
- St. Thomas to London: 20 to 30 minutes, depending on which end of each city you're in.
- St. Thomas to Port Stanley and Lake Erie: about 15 minutes.
- Trains: St. Thomas doesn't have VIA or GO passenger service. The nearest train station is VIA's London station.
That makes St. Thomas a fit for people who work from home, go into the GTA occasionally, or are moving their job to St. Thomas or London. It isn't a daily commute to Toronto.
What jobs are there in St. Thomas?
The big one is Volkswagen's PowerCo battery cell plant, which is under construction on the city's east side and is expected to bring thousands of jobs once it's running, plus suppliers around it. St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, local manufacturing and logistics, and the distribution centres in nearby Talbotville add more. And London's hospitals, universities and employers are a short drive away.
Which St. Thomas neighbourhoods should GTA buyers look at?
| If you want | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mature lots and established streets | Pinafore Park and Elm Street area | Bungalows and two-storeys near the park and hospital |
| A newer home without a big builder premium | Lake Margaret | Newer detached homes, semis and townhomes around the lake trail |
| Brand-new construction | Harvest Run | Ongoing builder phases, closest new-build area to PowerCo |
| Close to the PowerCo site | Northeast end and Dalewood | Established resale homes on the plant side of town |
| Small-town lake life | Port Stanley (Central Elgin) | Lake Erie beach community 15 minutes south |
If you buy outside city limits, in Central Elgin or Southwold, check whether the home is on municipal water and sewer or a private well and septic. GTA buyers often haven't owned a well before, and it needs its own inspection and water test.
Should I buy new construction or resale in St. Thomas?
Both can make sense. New builds in areas like Harvest Run come with Tarion warranty coverage, and a development charge cut running to March 2029 gives builders more room on price and incentives. Resale homes in established pockets give you mature trees, finished landscaping and a known track record, often for less per square foot. I'd compare them on total cost, including HST and rebates on the new build and the updates a resale home might need.
What should GTA buyers check before moving to St. Thomas?
- Drive the commute you'll actually make, at the time you'll make it, before you buy.
- Check internet speeds at the exact address if you work from home. Most of the city is well served, but rural properties nearby can vary a lot.
- Ask about the age of the roof, furnace, windows and wiring in older homes, especially those built before the 1960s.
- Look at the family doctor situation early. Like much of Ontario, finding one can take time.
- Get pre-approved again for the St. Thomas price, especially if you're carrying your GTA home for a while.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Thomas cheaper than London, Ontario?
Yes, on average. In September 2026 St. Thomas's average sale price was $544,865 and London's was $591,927. St. Thomas's typical home benchmark of $496,800 was below London South and London North, though London East's benchmark was lower still.
Can you commute from St. Thomas to Toronto?
Not comfortably every day. It's about 2 hours 20 minutes each way off-peak by car, and there's no train from St. Thomas itself. People who make it work usually go into the GTA once a week or less, and catch VIA from London when they do.
Is St. Thomas growing?
Yes. The PowerCo battery plant, new subdivisions such as Harvest Run, and a development charge cut through March 2029 are all adding homes and jobs. Growth also means construction traffic and new phases competing with resale homes in newer areas, so it's worth knowing which side of that you're buying on.
