What is a Living Wage?
The Living Wage is what a worker must earn per hour, working full-time (40 hours), to make ends meet where they live. It factors in essential expenses such as housing, food, childcare, transportation, clothing, and modest participation in community life, while also accounting for government taxes, transfers, and benefits.
How is the Living Wage calculated?
The calculation looks at major expenses that workers face such as shelter costs, transportation, childcare, and food. Also taken into account are other expenses such as internet access, a modest annual vacation, and clothing. Any applicable government taxes, transfers, and benefits are factored in as well, and which results in an hourly wage that a worker must earn in order to make ends meet where they live.
According to the Ontario Living Wage Network’s 2025 analysis, housing remains the biggest pressure point, with limited availability and rising rents driving up household costs across Bruce and Grey counties. Rural transportation challenges and inflation continue to add stress for working families and individuals.
Ontario Living Wage Rates
The Living Wage for Bruce Grey has increased by 6.7% to $24.60 per hour in 2025, up from $23.05 in 2024. The new rate reflects the continued rise in shelter and transportation costs across the region and highlights the growing gap between minimum wage and the actual cost of living.
The Living Wage calculation for Bruce Grey draws from three household scenarios:
- Single adult: $25.30/hour
- Single parent with two children: $27.75/hour
- Two parents with two children: $23.50/hour (both parents working)
The Ontario Living Wage Network created a Living Wage map of all rates for comparisons across economic regions. The Ontario Living Wage Network’s 2025 calculations show an average living wage increase across our 10 regions of 5.3%, reflecting a higher increase compared to the 2024 rate announcement last year. This is reflective of increased accuracy of rental costs being included in the calculation.
While no one should live below the poverty line, there is an understanding and an expectation that being employed full-time should lift a person, and their family, out of poverty.