Ontario Utility Bills: What to Expect for Electricity, Water, Gas & Internet Costs in 2026
Planning a move to Ontario? Budgeting is critical. We break down the average monthly costs for hydro, water, heating, and connectivity in 2026 — plus practical setup tips before moving day.
Ontario draws new residents every year for its jobs, schools, and city life — but monthly overhead adds up fast. Utilities are one of the easiest costs to underestimate, especially if you’re moving from a place with different heating needs, water pricing, or internet availability.
In 2026, Ontario households often see big seasonal swings: humid summers can push air-conditioning higher, while winter cold can drive heating costs up sharply. The goal of this guide is simple: help you plan a realistic utility budget before you sign a lease, buy a home, or book movers.
Before you move: utility checklist
- Confirm what’s included in rent/condo fees (water, heat, hydro)
- Ask what heating type the home uses (gas, electric, heat pump)
- Book activation dates 3–10 days before move-in
- Budget deposits + connection fees (often $200–$500 total)
- Take meter photos at move-in (avoids billing disputes)
Condo vs. house: what changes?
- Many condos include water and/or heat in monthly fees
- Houses typically pay water + gas + hydro separately
- Older homes often cost more to heat and cool
- Rural properties may rely on different systems (well/septic, propane, satellite internet)
The Bottom Line: Average Monthly Utility Costs (Ontario, 2026)
These are planning averages for a typical household. Your exact costs vary by city, provider, and home size.
| Utility Type | Avg. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity (Hydro) | $94.15 |
| Water & Sewage | $91.25 |
| Natural Gas (Heating) | $223.10 |
| Internet | $65.50 |
| Cable TV | $37.15 |
| Home Phone | $33.95 |
| Total (Excluding Gas/Heating)* | $322.00 |
*Heating is excluded because some homes use electric heat, heat pumps, oil/propane, or have heat included in rent/condo fees.
1) Electricity (Hydro)
In Ontario, “hydro” commonly refers to your electricity bill. Rates and billing structures are regulated, and most residents buy power through their local utility. Your bill isn’t just the energy you use — it includes delivery, regulatory charges, and other line items that can be a surprisingly large portion of the total.
What makes up the bill?
- Energy charge: the electricity you consume (kWh).
- Delivery: transmission/distribution (moving electricity to your home).
- Regulatory charges: system/grid costs and administration.
- Other adjustments/fees: varies by utility and billing plan.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates (Weekday schedule)
TOU pricing means when you use electricity affects your cost. Weekends and holidays are typically treated as off-peak.
| TOU Period | Hours (Weekdays) | Price (¢/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak | 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. (all day weekends/holidays) | 7.8 |
| Mid-Peak | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | 12.4 |
| On-Peak | 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | 16.1 |
Ultra-Low Overnight (ULO) Rates
Some customers can opt into ULO pricing, which heavily discounts late-night electricity. The tradeoff is higher peak pricing during other windows.
| ULO Period | Hours | Price (¢/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Low Overnight | Every day 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. | 2.9 |
| Weekend Off-Peak | Weekends/holidays 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. | 7.8 |
| Mid-Peak | Weekdays 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. | 12.4 |
| On-Peak | Weekdays 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. | 28.6 |
Estimated Monthly Hydro Costs (by usage)
Consumption varies widely: a small apartment may sit around 600 kWh/month, while a larger home can reach 1,000+ kWh, especially in winter.
| Usage | Typical scenario | Estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| 600 kWh | Small apartment / efficient condo | $72.50 |
| 750 kWh | Average household baseline | $90.25 |
| 1,000 kWh | Larger home / higher winter usage | $119.80 |
2) Water & Wastewater
The average monthly cost of a water bill in Ontario is about $91.25, but this varies substantially by city and how your municipality structures fixed fees.
How water billing works
Water is municipal: your city manages delivery, treatment, and infrastructure. Most systems charge for how much water you use (measured in cubic meters, m3) plus fixed costs for wastewater and other services.
Billing frequency (Toronto-style model)
- Lower volume: billed every few months (many homes fall here).
- Higher volume: billed monthly (often commercial or multi-unit).
Tip: If you’re renting, confirm if water is included — many rentals include water even when hydro is separate.
What’s typically on the bill?
- Water: distribution & treatment
- Wastewater: sewer systems
- Fire supply: hydrant systems/maintenance
- Stormwater: often based on property type/size
Average fixed costs by meter size (example)
Fixed fees often depend on meter size. Most residential homes are on smaller meters; larger meters are common in multi-unit or commercial buildings.
| Meter Size | Typical use | Avg fixed monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | Standard residential | $45.15 |
| 40 mm | Large home / small building | $90.80 |
| 76 mm | Commercial / multi-unit | $315.50 |
Average costs by consumption (volume)
Usage is the main driver for many households. As a planning benchmark, Ontario municipal water can land around $4.60–$4.85 per m3 depending on fee structure and payment timing.
| Monthly Usage (m3) | Household Size | Est. Cost (On time) | Est. Cost (Late) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1–2 people | $46.00 | $48.50 |
| 20 | 2–3 people | $92.00 | $96.50 |
| 30 | 3–5 people | $138.00 | $145.25 |
3) Natural Gas (Heating)
Natural gas is a common heating source in Ontario homes. Gas pricing is more volatile than many other utilities because it’s influenced by broader market conditions and seasonal demand. Many households see minimal gas usage in summer and much higher usage in winter.
Who supplies gas?
Most customers buy from local utilities, though some sign contracts with independent marketers. Rate examples (planning context):
- Enbridge (Union South): ~14.25 ¢/m3
- EPCOR (Aylmer): ~15.20 ¢/m3
Note: your total gas bill also includes fixed charges and delivery/service components, not just the commodity rate.
4) Connectivity: Internet, Cable & Home Phone
Internet
The average monthly cost of internet in Ontario is about $65.50.
Ontario internet availability depends on your neighbourhood and building type. In major cities you’ll often see cable and fiber options; in rural areas you may rely on fixed wireless or satellite.
Common connection types
- DSL: older phone-line based service (often slower)
- Cable: solid speeds but can vary at peak times
- Fiber: best speed and stability when available
- Satellite: useful where wired service is limited
Average monthly internet costs (planning examples)
Pricing varies by region and promo terms. These are typical ranges based on commonly listed plan tiers from major providers.
| Type | Typical speed | Avg cost |
|---|---|---|
| DSL | 15 Mbps | $41.25 / mo |
| Cable | 100 Mbps | $50.75 / mo |
| Fiber-optic | 1 Gbps | $73.50 / mo |
| Satellite | 100 Mbps | $132.00 / mo |
Cable TV
The average monthly cost of cable in Ontario is about $37.15.
Many providers now deliver TV through IPTV (television delivered over internet). If you still prefer channel bundles, look for “skinny” packages, then add sports or premium channels only if you actually watch them.
| Package Type | Includes | Avg cost |
|---|---|---|
| Starter / Skinny | ~30 basic channels (local/news/networks) | $11.50 / mo |
| Basic + Sports | Starter + common sports networks | $20.25 / mo |
| Premium / VIP | 50+ channels + premium add-ons | $81.50 / mo |
Home Phone
The average monthly cost of a home phone line in Ontario is about $33.95.
Landlines are less common than they used to be, but some households keep them for reliability, business needs, or long-distance bundles. Many modern home phone plans are VoIP-based (delivered over your internet connection).
-
North America Unlimited$14.50Unlimited Canada & USA calling
-
Worldwide Unlimited$37.25Unlimited calling to 70+ countries
-
Legacy Landline (Lite)$50.10Traditional-style service (higher reliability)
Utilities Across Canada (2026)
National planning benchmark
A basic utility bundle across Canada often lands around $392.50/month (excluding heating), but big differences exist due to electricity pricing, municipal fee models, and internet availability.
| Province | Electricity | Water | Gas | Internet | Cable | Phone | Total (Excl. Gas) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $93.45 | $72.90 | $63.20 | $75.50 | $21.50 | $24.10 | $287.45 |
| British Columbia | $234.50 | $246.00 | $103.50 | $76.25 | $18.20 | $22.50 | $597.45 |
| Manitoba | $114.50 | $67.90 | $99.50 | $68.25 | $90.10 | $48.50 | $389.25 |
| New Brunswick | $122.50 | $80.50 | $132.00 | $71.50 | $53.25 | $24.15 | $351.90 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $138.50 | $55.00 | $210.00 | $88.00 | $52.00 | $32.00 | $365.50 |
| Nova Scotia | $197.50 | $109.50 | $181.00 | $72.50 | $26.50 | $22.10 | $428.10 |
| Ontario | $94.15 | $91.25 | $223.10 | $65.50 | $37.15 | $33.95 | $322.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $149.50 | $106.50 | $365.00 | $73.50 | $37.10 | $24.20 | $390.80 |
| Quebec | $201.15 | Included | $62.50 | $70.50 | $31.10 | $25.50 | $328.25 |
| Saskatchewan | $212.30 | $98.50 | $125.10 | $70.75 | $71.50 | $22.25 | $475.30 |
*Note: Totals exclude heating (gas) because heating methods vary widely (gas, electric, oil/propane, heat pumps, or included in rent/fees).
FAQ: Ontario Utility Costs (2026)
Planning a move to Ontario?
Don’t let utility setup costs surprise you. Whether you’re moving to Toronto, Ottawa, or a smaller town, comparing moving quotes early is step one.
Disclaimer: All values in this guide are planning estimates. Actual bills vary by municipality, provider, home size, insulation, appliance efficiency, and seasonal weather patterns.