Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Oshawa is much cheaper: the median detached home sold for $730,000 in January–October 2026, against $977,000 in Whitby. Whitby is one GO stop closer to Toronto and has a lower 2026 tax rate (1.382491% vs 1.575342%). Pick Oshawa for the lowest entry price, Whitby for a shorter commute and lower taxes.
This guide is for buyers choosing between Whitby and Oshawa for 2027, and for Durham owners thinking about a move between the two. You will get 2026 median prices for each home type, how fast homes sold, the GO train, highway, tax and school facts I confirmed from official sources, and a clear answer on who each one suits.
Is Oshawa cheaper than Whitby?
Yes, by a wide margin. From January to October 2026, the median detached home sold for $730,000 in Oshawa and $977,000 in Whitby, a gap of $247,000. The median is the middle sale: half sold for more, half for less.
The gap holds across home types. Semis were $610,000 in Oshawa and $823,000 in Whitby. Freehold townhouses (owned outright, with no condo corporation) were $657,500 and $765,000. Condo apartments were $340,500 in Oshawa and $536,000 in Whitby.
| Home type | Whitby median | Whitby sales | Oshawa median | Oshawa sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $977,000 (−6.2%) | 757 (−9.9%) | $730,000 (−8.8%) | 1,028 (−15.6%) |
| Semi-detached | $823,000 (−3.0%) | 54 (+8.0%) | $610,000 (−7.6%) | 180 (−9.5%) |
| Freehold townhouse | $765,000 (−4.4%) | 214 (−26.2%) | $657,500 (−10.5%) | 110 (−32.9%) |
| Condo apartment | $536,000 (−6.2%) | 90 (+36.4%) | $340,500 (−14.3%) | 77 (−13.5%) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Brackets show the change from 2025. Figures are city- and town-wide medians.
Oshawa prices fell more than Whitby’s for every type in 2026. Oshawa condo apartments dropped 14.3%, and freehold towns 10.5%. Whitby’s condo sales were up 36.4%, one of the few rising numbers in Durham this year. Two years back, the gap was similar. In January–October 2024, the detached median was $1,065,000 in Whitby and $835,000 in Oshawa. Since then, Whitby detached prices have fallen about 8% and Oshawa’s about 13%. A falling market can be a good time to buy if you plan to hold for years, but nobody can promise when prices will turn. For more detail, see what a house is worth in Whitby or Oshawa.
How fast are homes selling in Whitby and Oshawa?
Freehold homes sold quickly in both. “Days on market” is the average time from listing to a firm sale.
| Side by side | Whitby | Oshawa |
|---|---|---|
| Average days on market, detached | 23 (20 in 2025) | 25 (22 in 2025) |
| Average days on market, semi | 22 | 21 |
| Average days on market, freehold town | 23 | 34 |
| Average days on market, condo apartment | 34 | 51 |
| GO train | Whitby GO, Lakeshore East line | Durham College Oshawa GO, east end of Lakeshore East |
| Main highways | Highway 401 in the south; 407 between Brooklin and the urban area; 412 links them | Highway 401; 407 East; 418 links to the 401 |
| 2026 residential property tax rate (total) | 1.382491% | 1.575342% |
| English public school boards | Durham District School Board; Durham Catholic District School Board | Durham District School Board; Durham Catholic District School Board |
| Population (2021 Census) | 138,501 | 175,383 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026; GO Transit station pages; Town of Whitby 2026 tax rates; City of Oshawa 2026 final tax rates; Statistics Canada 2021 Census as reported for each municipality.
Oshawa condo apartments took 51 days on average, much longer than Whitby’s 34. Oshawa also had far more detached sales (1,028 vs 757), so detached buyers there have more listings to compare.
Which is better for commuting to Toronto, Whitby or Oshawa?
Whitby has the edge for train commuters because it is one stop closer to Toronto. Both are on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs every day of the year to Union Station. Oshawa GO is the line’s eastern end. I have not listed ride times because they change with each schedule; check the current GO timetable for your train.
Whitby GO is at 1350 Brock Street South. The Oshawa station, now named Durham College Oshawa GO, is at 915 Bloor Street West. Metrolinx is building the Bowmanville extension east from Oshawa. Construction began in January 2026, and it will add four stations, including stops at Thornton’s Corners East and Ritson Road, with Courtice and Bowmanville further east. That will put more of east Oshawa within reach of a GO station once service starts.
By car, both use Highway 401. Highway 407 East runs north of both urban areas, and Highways 412 (in Whitby) and 418 (on the Oshawa–Clarington side) connect it to the 401. Both 412 and 418 became toll-free in April 2022. The 407 itself still has tolls.
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Are property taxes higher in Oshawa than Whitby?
Yes. Oshawa’s 2026 total residential rate is 1.575342%, against 1.382491% in Whitby. Both include the city or town, Durham Region and education portions. The regional and education shares are the same; the difference is in the local rate.
On a home assessed at $500,000 by MPAC (Ontario’s property assessment agency), the 2026 bill would be about $7,877 in Oshawa and $6,912 in Whitby. That is a real gap of almost $1,000 a year at the same assessment. In practice Oshawa homes often have lower assessments, so look at the actual bill.
A lower price in Oshawa does not always mean a lower monthly cost. Add up mortgage, property tax and, for condos, maintenance fees before you compare. A cheaper home with a higher tax rate can close much of the gap. Always ask for the seller’s latest tax bill.
How much house can you afford in Whitby vs Oshawa in 2027?
The minimum down payment in Canada is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the part from $500,000 to $1.5 million. At Oshawa’s $730,000 detached median, that is about $48,000. At Whitby’s $977,000 median, it is about $72,700. If you put down less than 20%, a mortgage insurance premium is added to the loan.
Buyers in both pay only the Ontario land transfer tax, not Toronto’s municipal one. First-time buyers can get an Ontario refund of up to $4,000.
Rates moved up in late 2026. The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, and big-bank prime rose to 4.70%. The next decision is 9 December 2026. My first-time buyer guide to Durham Region walks through programs and costs.
What are the schools and colleges like in Whitby and Oshawa?
Both share the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. The public board’s head office is in Whitby, and the Catholic board is headquartered in Oshawa. French-language Catholic schools are offered by Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.
Oshawa is Durham’s post-secondary hub. Durham College, Ontario Tech University and Trent University Durham together serve about 22,000 full-time students. That matters for investors, because it supports rental demand near the campuses. Check school zoning for any address with the board’s locator. See top schools in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby for Whitby picks.
What is it like to live in Whitby vs Oshawa?
Whitby
Whitby had about 138,500 people in 2021. It is the seat of Durham Region government. Its harbour on Lake Ontario has a 420-berth marina at Port Whitby, and the downtown dates to 1836. In the north, Brooklin is a more rural community where much of the town’s newer housing has gone. Read more on the Port Whitby and Ajax waterfront.
Oshawa
Oshawa is a larger city of about 175,000 people. General Motors Canada is headquartered there, and the Oshawa plant reopened in 2021 to build pickup trucks. Lakeview Park on the lakeshore has a sandy beach and the Oshawa Museum. The city also owns the Oshawa Executive Airport for private and charter flights. See my guide to Oshawa and Clarington lakefront homes.
Oshawa is one of the most affordable ways to own a detached house in the GTA, and that is a real advantage for first-time buyers. Just run the full monthly number, including the higher tax rate. Whitby costs more up front but sells quickly and has a lower rate. In my view, buyers who plan to stay ten years or more should weigh Whitby’s closer GO stop and Brooklin’s newer stock against Oshawa’s lower entry price, and decide on the monthly cost, not the sticker price.
Who should pick Whitby?
- Commuters who want to be one GO stop closer to Toronto.
- Families looking at newer homes in Brooklin with 407 and 412 access.
- Buyers who want a lower tax rate and a fast-moving resale market (23 days for detached).
- Condo buyers who want a more active market: Whitby’s condo sales rose 36.4% in 2026.
Who should pick Oshawa?
- First-time buyers who want a detached house: the $730,000 median is about $247,000 below Whitby’s.
- Entry-level condo buyers: Oshawa’s median condo apartment was $340,500.
- Investors targeting student and staff rentals near Durham College and Ontario Tech.
- Buyers who want a bigger detached market to choose from, with over 1,000 sales in 2026.
What to do next
- Get a written pre-approval and work out the full monthly cost, including property tax.
- Ride Lakeshore East at your real commute time from Whitby GO and Oshawa GO.
- Check school zoning on the Durham board locators.
- For condos, read the status certificate and reserve fund before you firm up.
- If you own now, get a current value on your home. My guide on moving from Toronto to Durham Region covers the bigger picture.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Is Whitby better than Oshawa?
It depends on your budget. Whitby costs more, with a median detached price of $977,000 in January–October 2026 against $730,000 in Oshawa, but it has a lower tax rate and is one GO stop closer to Toronto. Oshawa offers the lower entry price and a bigger detached market. Both share Durham’s school boards heading into 2027.
Is Oshawa cheaper than Whitby in 2027?
Yes, based on 2026 data. TRREB MLS figures for January–October 2026 show Oshawa medians of $730,000 for detached homes, $610,000 for semis and $340,500 for condo apartments. Whitby’s were $977,000, $823,000 and $536,000. These are year-to-date medians, not forecasts for 2027.
Are property taxes higher in Oshawa or Whitby?
Oshawa’s are higher. The 2026 total residential rate is 1.575342% in Oshawa and 1.382491% in Whitby. On a home assessed at $500,000, that is about $7,877 in Oshawa and $6,912 in Whitby for 2026. The difference comes from the local rate; the Durham Region and education portions are the same.
Do Whitby and Oshawa have GO train service?
Yes. Whitby GO and Durham College Oshawa GO are both on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs every day to Union Station. Oshawa is the current eastern end, and Whitby is one stop closer to Toronto. The Bowmanville extension east of Oshawa began construction in January 2026.
How fast do houses sell in Whitby and Oshawa?
Fairly fast. From January to October 2026, detached homes averaged 23 days on market in Whitby and 25 days in Oshawa, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Condo apartments were slower, especially in Oshawa at 51 days compared with 34 in Whitby. Both were a little slower than in 2025.
Are Highways 412 and 418 toll-free?
Yes. Highways 412 and 418, which connect Highway 401 to Highway 407 East near Whitby and Oshawa, became toll-free in April 2022. Highway 407 East itself still charges tolls. For Whitby and Oshawa commuters, that means you can reach the 407 without a toll but pay once you drive on it.
What school boards serve Whitby and Oshawa?
Both are served by the Durham District School Board, headquartered in Whitby, and the Durham Catholic District School Board, headquartered in Oshawa. Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir offers French-language Catholic schools. The school your child attends depends on the exact address, so check the board locator before buying in 2027.
Is Oshawa a good place for a rental investment?
It can be, mainly because of its post-secondary schools. Durham College, Ontario Tech University and Trent University Durham together serve about 22,000 full-time students in Oshawa. The trade-off is that Oshawa condo apartments took 51 days on average to sell in January–October 2026, and their median price fell 14.3% from 2025.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Oshawa?
At Oshawa’s median detached price of $730,000 from January to October 2026, the minimum down payment is about $48,000. That is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $230,000. With less than 20% down, a mortgage insurance premium is added to the loan.
Sources
- City of Oshawa: Property Tax Rates (2026 final)
- Town of Whitby 2026 Property Tax Rates
- Metrolinx: Lakeshore East Line GO Expansion
- GO Transit: Whitby GO station details
- GO Transit: Durham College Oshawa GO station details
- Whitby, Ontario (Wikipedia, citing Statistics Canada 2021 Census)
- Oshawa (Wikipedia, citing Statistics Canada 2021 Census)
- Lakeshore East line (Wikipedia)
Related reading
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- Markham vs Richmond Hill in 2027: Prices, Commute and Which Fits You
- Vaughan vs Markham in 2027: Prices, Commute and Which Fits You
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.