The Ontario Living Wage Network calculation shows that the Living Wage for the economic region including Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and Niagara is $21.40. This represents a $0.50 cent (2.4%) increase from the 2024 Living Wage for Niagara, which was $20.90. In calculating the Living Wage, data is collected for the costs of a basket of goods and services for three types of households: two parents aged 35 and two children aged 7 and 3, a single parent with a child age 7, and a single adult.
The living wage rate is the before-tax income that each adult would need to earn to cover the expenses included in the basket for their family type. The calculation includes government transfers the family may receive (like the Canada Child Benefit, the Ontario CARE benefit) and the payroll and income taxes the adults may pay.
Annual food expenses for a family in Niagara are reported as: $12,561 for a family of four; $6,019 for a single parent; and $4,305 for a single individual. Annual shelter expenses for Niagara are reported as: $21,682 for a family of four; $20,515 for a single parent; and $17,715 for a single individual. Annual expenses for Clothing and Footwear, Transportation, Adult Education, Medical Expense/Life and Critical Illness Insurance, Communications, Child Care, Other Expenses (e.g., toiletries/personal care, furniture, household supplies, etc.).
A searchable map (and related table) of Certified Living Wage Employers in Ontario is provided at: https://www.ontariolivingwage.ca/directory
Publication Date: November 10, 2025
Published by: Ontario Living Wage Network
Click here to access Calculating Ontario’s Living Wage Rates
Click here to access Report: 2024 Employer Feedback on Certification
