What Does It Cost to Live in the 1000 Islands, Ontario?

Last updated: August 2026

How much does housing cost in the 1000 Islands?

In the Kingston area, the benchmark was $549,900 in June 2026 per KAREA/CREA. That single number is the clearest picture of the market.

Brockville and Gananoque generally sit below the Kingston benchmark. No comparable published benchmark exists for those towns in the same MLS HPI format — the qualitative gap is real and well-known locally, but we won't invent numbers where sourced figures don't exist.

Rental inventory is thin in the small towns. Kingston's rental market is pressured by the student population at Queen's — September turnover drives the cycle. If you're renting, start looking early and expect competition.

How much are property taxes and utilities?

Property tax rates in smaller Ontario municipalities run higher as a percentage than big cities, but the dollar amounts stay reasonable because home values are lower.

Kingston's 2026 residential tax rate is 1.6054% (per the 2026 Tax Levy Bylaw). On a home at the $549,900 benchmark, that's roughly $8,828 per year in property tax. Brockville's rate runs slightly higher — approximately 1.66–1.73% depending on the year — but applied to lower assessed values, the annual bill is comparable or less.

Utilities and internet: costs are broadly in line with Ontario norms. The important caveat is rural internet — availability varies by concession road. Check address-level coverage before buying a property outside town limits.

What does buying a first home here cost?

A first-time buyer purchasing at the Kingston benchmark of $549,900 needs roughly $30,000 down (5% on the first $500,000, 10% on the remainder) and pays about $3,473 in Ontario land transfer tax after the $4,000 first-time buyer refund.

• No municipal land transfer tax anywhere in the 1000 Islands (that's a Toronto-only extra)
• The federal First Home Savings Account (FHSA) allows tax-free savings of up to $8,000/year toward a down payment
• The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets you withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSP toward a first home

Sources: Ontario.ca (land transfer tax), Canada.ca (FHSA, HBP).

Is the 1000 Islands cheaper than Toronto or Ottawa?

On housing, yes, by a wide margin. All three figures below are MLS HPI composite benchmarks from the same methodology, making them directly comparable:

Kingston is 58% of the GTA benchmark and 87% of Ottawa's. On everyday costs — groceries, gas, insurance — the difference is modest. You shop the same chains, pay the same provincial rates, and fill up at the same gas stations. The savings are concentrated in your biggest line item: housing.

What's the catch?

The savings are real, but so are the trade-offs:

• Smaller job market: outside Kingston's education, healthcare, and government sectors, opportunities narrow fast
• Thin rentals: in Brockville and Gananoque, rental inventory is limited — be ready to buy, or start your search early
• Car dependence: transit exists in Kingston but is limited; in the smaller towns, you need a car for everything
• Winter: real cold, real snow, real wind off the water — budget for snow tires, a good coat, and patience
• Healthcare access: family doctor waitlists are a reality across Eastern Ontario, not unique to this region but worth planning for

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