London vs Kitchener: Population & Income Compared

London and Kitchener are southwestern Ontario mid-sized cities that both posted double-digit growth in the last census cycle. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

London counted 422,324 residents in 2021, compared with Kitchener at 256,885. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. London's population rose 10% from 2016 to 2021, while Kitchener grew 10.1% over the same period.

In short: London leads on municipal population, while both cities posted similar growth rates in the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Kitchener households sat at $76,500 (median after tax), versus $68,500 in London. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 40.7 years in London and 39 in Kitchener. Kitchener's younger profile contrasts with London in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): London 422,324 · Kitchener 256,885
• Growth 2016–2021: London 10% · Kitchener 10.1%
• Median HH income (after tax): London $68,500 · Kitchener $76,500
• Average age: London 40.7 · Kitchener 39

London is larger; both cities grew about 10% from 2016–2021, with Kitchener slightly ahead on growth and median household income, and a younger average age.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• London demographic profile
• Kitchener demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then London and Kitchener