The article uses $300,000 for a Brantford house and $ 770,000 for a Toronto house. Amortized over 25 years, the difference is $18,800 per year. Factor in the total 5 hours daily commuting X 240 workdays = 1200 hours and commuting is priced at $15.66 per hour. The cost of transportation (here he uses VIA and TTC) and/or of a car also increase that price.  More important than its price, what is its value? Non-monetary factors such as personal time, family time, social time, stress and health,  carbon footprint, city planning etc. have value. If the job is so good, move closer to it and pay more for accommodation or if you have to, rent to decrease costs. If the Brantford house is so good, get a job closer to home. 
These types of personal decisions would help direct collective decision regarding intensification, sprawl and transportation. Public policy should build in incentives to nudge these types of personal decisions.