Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
For 2027, the best areas of Ajax are South East and South West Ajax for the Lake Ontario waterfront, Pickering Village for character, and Northwest and Northeast Ajax for newer detached homes. The median detached price in Ajax was $925,000 from January to October 2026, down 4.2% from 2025 (TRREB MLS data via REALM).
This guide is for buyers moving east from Toronto, first-time buyers priced out of the 416, and Durham families thinking about a move up in 2027. You will get Ajax’s real 2026 prices, five areas worth shortlisting, and the practical things I would check before buying in each one.
Is Ajax a good place to live in 2027?
For many families, yes. Ajax is a lakeside town in Durham Region, about 11 km east of Toronto, between Pickering and Whitby. It had 126,666 people in the 2021 census. Modern Ajax grew from a planned community built during and after the Second World War, and today it has a wide mix of homes: detached houses, semis, townhouses and condo apartments, with older streets in the south and newer subdivisions in the north.
The reasons people choose Ajax:
- The waterfront. The Town says it has about six kilometres of public parkland along Lake Ontario, with an asphalt trail of more than seven kilometres that is part of the Waterfront Trail. Stops along it include Rotary Park at the mouth of Duffins Creek (beach, splash pad and a small boat launch), Lion’s Point, about 20 metres above the shore, and Paradise Park, with beach access, tennis courts and playgrounds.
- The train. Ajax GO Station is on the Lakeshore East line, which runs in both directions all day, not just at rush hour.
- Price. The median detached home sold for $925,000 from January to October 2026, well below most of York and Peel.
The main trade-off is Highway 401. It cuts the town in half, and only four streets cross it: Church Street, Westney Road, Harwood Avenue and Salem Road. Rush-hour trips between north and south Ajax can be slow.
How much do homes cost in Ajax right now?
Prices in Ajax fell again in 2026, but by less than in many GTA cities. Here are the town-wide medians from TRREB MLS data via REALM. A median is the middle sale.
| Home type | Median 2024 | Median 2025 | Median 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Avg. days on market 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,050,000 | $966,000 | $925,000 | −4.2% | 23 |
| Semi-detached | $860,000 | $838,750 | $810,000 | −3.4% | 22 |
| Freehold townhouse | $849,000 | $808,000 | $750,000 | −7.2% | 27 |
| Condo townhouse | $731,500 | $662,500 | $625,000 | −5.7% | 27 |
| Condo apartment | $535,000 | $509,000 | $437,500 | −14.0% | 38 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 and 2024. Town of Ajax.
TRREB also splits Ajax into seven communities. Their medians mix all home types, so use them to compare areas, not to price one house.
| TRREB community | Sales Q2 2026 | Median price (all types) | Avg. days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| South East | 76 | $810,000 | 20 |
| South West | 28 | $757,500 | 19 |
| Central West | 53 | $849,900 | 22 |
| Northwest Ajax | 47 | $995,000 | 29 |
| Northeast Ajax | 36 | $995,000 | 20 |
Source: TRREB Community Housing Market Report, Durham – Ajax, Q2 2026.
1. South East Ajax (the eastern lakeshore)
What it’s like: On TRREB’s map, the South East community covers the southeast corner of town, running down to Lake Ontario. The east end of the waterfront includes Carruthers Marsh, which the Town says has a pavilion with washrooms, a park and a splash pad.
Who it suits: families and downsizers who want the lake and the trail close by, and buyers who like an established street.
What it costs: South East was the busiest part of Ajax in Q2 2026, with 76 sales, a median of $810,000 for all home types and an average of 20 days on market.
What to check: many homes here are older, so get a full inspection and ask about upgrades to the roof, windows, electrical panel and furnace. If a lot backs onto a creek or the shoreline, ask the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority whether it is in a regulated area before you plan any changes.
2. South West Ajax (the western lakeshore)
What it’s like: On TRREB’s map, the South West community is the lakeside corner of town next to the Pickering border. It shares the same public waterfront trail as the east end, and in Q2 2026 its sales were a mix of detached homes, semis, townhouses and condo apartments, which makes it one of the more varied parts of Ajax for price points.
Who it suits: buyers who want lake access at a lower entry price, including first-time buyers looking at semis and townhouses.
What it costs: South West had the lowest median of my five in Q2 2026, at $757,500 on 28 sales, and homes sold in 19 days on average.
What to check: with fewer sales each quarter, one or two unusual homes can swing the median. Ask for every sale on your street for the past year, not just the quarterly figure.
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3. Pickering Village (west-central Ajax)
What it’s like: Pickering Village is the oldest part of Ajax. It grew where Kingston Road crosses Duffins Creek. Quaker settlers led by Timothy Rogers arrived in 1807 and built saw and grist mills, and the village became the main centre of the old Pickering Township. Despite the name, it is now a neighbourhood of Ajax, not the City of Pickering. Expect older houses mixed with newer infill, close to Church Street, one of the four streets that cross the 401.
Who it suits: buyers who want character and a quick trip to Highway 401 or the Pickering border.
What it costs: TRREB does not report Pickering Village on its own. The Central West community, which covers the west-central part of town, had a Q2 2026 median of $849,900 on 53 sales.
What to check: many homes are older. Ask the Town whether a property has any heritage status before you plan an addition or new windows. Check lots near Duffins Creek for conservation authority rules.
4. Northwest Ajax
What it’s like: Northwest Ajax is one of the newer, mostly detached parts of town. In TRREB’s Q2 2026 report, 32 of its 47 sales were detached houses. Lots and homes are generally larger than in the older south end.
Who it suits: growing families who want a bigger, newer detached home and do not need to walk to the GO train.
What it costs: the Q2 2026 median for all home types was $995,000, tied for the highest in Ajax, with homes taking 29 days on average to sell.
What to check: drive to Ajax GO and to the 401 at rush hour. From the north end you will use Westney Road, Harwood Avenue or Salem Road, and those crossings get busy. Confirm school boundaries for the exact address with the Durham District School Board or Durham Catholic District School Board.
5. Northeast Ajax
What it’s like: Northeast Ajax is the other newer, family-focused part of town, near the Whitby border. Like Northwest Ajax, most of its Q2 2026 sales (24 of 36) were detached homes.
Who it suits: families who want a newer detached home and may work in Whitby or Oshawa as well as Toronto.
What it costs: the Q2 2026 median was $995,000, and homes sold in 20 days on average, faster than Northwest Ajax.
What to check: newer subdivisions can have tight lots and attached garages that limit future additions. Ask whether the home is still under Tarion warranty, and compare recent sales of the same builder model on nearby streets. My notes on schools in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby can help you narrow your list.
How do I pick the right Ajax neighbourhood?
Ask three questions. First, how often will you take the train? Ajax GO sits on the south side of the 401 with access from Westney Road at Fairall Street, so the south and central parts of town are the easiest walk or short drive. Second, do you want the lake or more house? South Ajax gives you the trail and parks; the north gives you newer, larger homes for a similar or higher price. Third, what can you carry each month? The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, and big-bank prime is now 4.70%, so run your numbers again before you shop.
If you are coming from Toronto, my guide to moving from Toronto to Durham Region covers the wider trade-offs.
Ajax is one of the better all-round choices in Durham for 2027 because of its all-day GO service and long public waterfront. Prices are lower than a year ago, and sellers are more willing to negotiate on condition dates and closing terms. I would pick the area that matches your commute first, then hunt for value street by street. If you already own here, find out what your Ajax home is worth before you buy your next one.
Do not judge a north Ajax commute from a map. Highway 401 splits the town, and only Church Street, Westney Road, Harwood Avenue and Salem Road cross it. Test the drive to the GO station and the highway at the hour you will actually travel.
What to do next
- Shortlist two areas from this list based on your commute and whether you want the lake or a bigger house.
- Get pre-approved using today’s rates, not last year’s.
- Confirm school boundaries for each address with the Durham public and Catholic boards.
- Walk the waterfront trail and drive the 401 crossings at rush hour before you make an offer.
- Read my guide to choosing a realtor in Ajax before you sign anything.
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
What is the best area to live in Ajax, Ontario?
The best area in Ajax depends on what you need. For 2027, South East and South West Ajax suit buyers who want the Lake Ontario waterfront, Pickering Village suits buyers who want an older neighbourhood with character, and Northwest and Northeast Ajax suit families who want newer detached homes. Compare street-level sales before you choose.
Is Ajax a good place to live?
Yes, Ajax is a good place to live for many families planning a 2027 move. It has about six kilometres of public waterfront parkland, all-day two-way GO train service on the Lakeshore East line, and a median detached price of $925,000 in January to October 2026. The main drawback is that Highway 401 splits the town in half.
How much does a house cost in Ajax in 2026?
The median detached house in Ajax sold for $925,000 from January to October 2026, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. That was 4.2% lower than the $966,000 median for the same months of 2025. Freehold townhouses had a median of $750,000, and condo apartments $437,500.
Are house prices in Ajax going down?
Yes, Ajax prices fell in 2026, though less than in many GTA cities. TRREB MLS data via REALM shows January to October 2026 medians down 4.2% for detached homes, 7.2% for freehold townhouses and 14.0% for condo apartments compared with 2025. Any forecast for 2027 is a guess, so focus on the payment you can afford.
How far is Ajax from Toronto?
Ajax is about 11 km east of the City of Toronto’s eastern edge, on Lake Ontario between Pickering and Whitby. Highway 401 runs through the middle of town, and Ajax GO Station on the Lakeshore East line connects to Union Station. Drive times into downtown vary widely with 401 traffic, so test your route in 2027 at rush hour.
Does Ajax have a GO train to Toronto?
Yes. Ajax GO Station is on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs to Union Station in both directions throughout the day. The station is on the south side of Highway 401 with access from Westney Road at Fairall Street. Check the current GO schedule for 2027 frequencies before you choose an address.
Which part of Ajax is near the lake?
South Ajax is along Lake Ontario. In TRREB’s map, the South West and South East communities run down to the shoreline. The Town of Ajax says the waterfront has about six kilometres of parkland, including Rotary Park at the mouth of Duffins Creek, Lion’s Point, Paradise Park and Carruthers Marsh on the east side.
What is the most expensive area of Ajax?
Northwest Ajax and Northeast Ajax had the highest medians in TRREB’s Q2 2026 Ajax report, both at $995,000 for all home types. Most sales in both areas were detached houses, which pushes the median up. South West Ajax had the lowest median of the main communities, at $757,500.
Is Pickering Village in Ajax or Pickering?
Pickering Village is a neighbourhood in the Town of Ajax, even though it carries the Pickering name. It grew where Kingston Road crosses Duffins Creek and was the main centre of the old Pickering Township. A small part of the early settlement now lies in the City of Pickering’s Village East area.
Sources
- TRREB Community Housing Market Report: Durham – Ajax, Q2 2026
- Town of Ajax: Waterfront and beaches
- Ajax, Ontario (population, Highway 401 crossings, neighbourhoods)
- Ajax GO Station
- Lakeshore East line (GO Transit service pattern)
- Pickering Village (history and location)
- Wahi: Ajax neighbourhood guide
- Bank of Canada raises the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2½% (28 October 2026)
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
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.