Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Ajax is a little cheaper and one GO stop closer to Toronto: its median detached home sold for $925,000 from January to October 2026, against $977,000 in Whitby. Tax rates are almost identical (1.389% vs 1.382%). Whitby has more listings, Highway 407 and 412 access and the Brooklin area; Ajax has its own hospital and a long public waterfront.
This guide is for buyers choosing between Ajax and Whitby in 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 and tax facts I confirmed from official sources, and a straight answer on who each town suits.
Is Ajax cheaper than Whitby?
Yes, for most home types, but the gap is small. From January to October 2026, the median detached home sold for $925,000 in Ajax and $977,000 in Whitby, a difference of $52,000. The median is the middle sale: half sold for more and half for less.
| Home type | Ajax median | Ajax sales | Whitby median | Whitby sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $925,000 (−4.2%) | 561 (−8.8%) | $977,000 (−6.2%) | 757 (−9.9%) |
| Semi-detached | $810,000 (−3.4%) | 53 | $823,000 (−3.0%) | 54 |
| Freehold townhouse | $750,000 (−7.2%) | 136 (−20.9%) | $765,000 (−4.4%) | 214 (−26.2%) |
| Condo townhouse | $625,000 (−5.7%) | 50 | $617,500 (−9.3%) | 60 |
| Condo apartment | $437,500 (−14.0%) | 52 | $536,000 (−6.2%) | 90 (+36.4%) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (changes in brackets). Town-wide medians.
The biggest gap is in condo apartments: Ajax’s median was $98,500 lower than Whitby’s, after a 14.0% drop. Condo townhouses were the one type where Whitby came out slightly cheaper. Semis and freehold townhouses were within $15,000 of each other. Some types had small sample sizes, about 50 sales, so a few deals can move those medians.
How much have prices fallen since 2024?
Two years ago, the detached median was $1,050,000 in Ajax and $1,065,000 in Whitby. Since then, Ajax has fallen about 11.9% and Whitby about 8.3%. That is why the gap between the two towns is wider now than it was in 2024. Detached sales were down in both towns in 2026, which means buyers have had more time and more room to negotiate.
Where do Ajax and Whitby sit on Durham’s price ladder?
You might expect detached prices to fall steadily as you move east from Toronto along the Lakeshore East line. They do not. From January to October 2026, the detached median was $1,039,999 in Pickering, $925,000 in Ajax, $977,000 in Whitby, $730,000 in Oshawa and $820,000 in Clarington. So Ajax is the cheapest of the three towns closest to Toronto, and Whitby costs a little more even though it is one stop further out.
If neither town fits your budget, Oshawa is the next step down. My Whitby vs Oshawa comparison covers that trade-off, including Oshawa’s higher tax rate.
How fast are homes selling in Ajax and Whitby?
At almost the same speed. “Days on market” is the average time from listing to a firm sale.
| Side by side | Ajax | Whitby |
|---|---|---|
| Days on market, detached | 23 (22 in 2025) | 23 (20 in 2025) |
| Days on market, freehold townhouse | 27 | 23 |
| Days on market, condo apartment | 38 | 34 |
| GO station | Ajax GO, 100 Westney Road South | Whitby GO, 1350 Brock Street South |
| Main highways | Highway 401 through the middle of town | Highway 401 in the south; 407 and 412 in town |
| 2026 total residential tax rate | 1.388664% | 1.382491% |
| Full-service hospital in town | Yes | No (nearest in Oshawa or Ajax-Pickering) |
| Population, 2021 census | 126,666 | 138,501 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026; GO Transit station pages; Town of Ajax and Town of Whitby 2026 tax rates; Statistics Canada 2021 census as reported for each town.
Whitby simply has more homes for sale. It sold about 200 more detached homes and about 80 more freehold townhouses than Ajax. If you want to compare many listings before you buy, Whitby gives you more to look at.
Which is better for commuting to Toronto, Ajax or Whitby?
Ajax has the edge for train riders because it is one stop closer to Union Station. Both towns are on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs all day in both directions. Metrolinx’s GO Expansion work on this line aims for more frequent all-day service. I have not listed ride times, because they change with each schedule. Check GO’s timetable for the train you would take.
By car, the picture flips. Highway 401 runs through both towns. In Ajax, it splits the town in half, and only four streets cross it: Church Street, Westney Road, Harwood Avenue and Salem Road. Whitby has the 401 in its south end plus Highway 407, which opened through Whitby in 2016 between Brooklin and the urban area. Highway 412 links the two and has been toll-free since April 2022. The 407 itself still has tolls. If you drive to York Region or north Toronto, Whitby’s 407 access helps.
For a wider view of the Durham commute, see my Pickering vs Ajax comparison, one stop closer again.
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Are property taxes higher in Ajax or Whitby?
They are almost the same. Ajax’s 2026 total residential rate is 1.388664%, and Whitby’s is 1.382491%. Both include the town, Durham Region and education portions. On a home assessed at $600,000 by MPAC, the 2026 bill works out to about $8,332 in Ajax and $8,295 in Whitby, a gap of under $40 a year.
So taxes should not decide this one. Your real bill depends on the home’s assessed value, which can differ a lot between two homes at the same price. Always ask for the seller’s latest tax bill.
Neither town has a municipal land transfer tax, so buyers pay only the Ontario tax. On a $925,000 home that is $14,975, and on a $977,000 home it is $16,015. First-time buyers can get up to $4,000 back.
How much down payment do you need in Ajax vs Whitby?
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. With less than 20% down, a mortgage insurance premium is added to the loan.
- Ajax detached at $925,000: at least $67,500.
- Whitby detached at $977,000: at least $72,700.
- Ajax condo apartment at $437,500: at least $21,875. Whitby’s $536,000 median needs $28,600.
Rates went up late in 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, so get a pre-approval that holds your rate while you shop.
What is it like to live in Ajax vs Whitby?
Ajax
Ajax had 126,666 people in 2021, up 5.8% from 2016. It is named after HMS Ajax, a Second World War navy cruiser, and grew from a wartime munitions plant. Its best feature is the lake. The Town says its waterfront trail runs over seven kilometres, with about six kilometres of lakeside parkland, including Rotary Park at the mouth of Duffins Creek and Lion’s Point, the highest spot on the shore. Read the best neighbourhoods to live in Ajax for area-by-area detail.
Whitby
Whitby is bigger, with 138,501 people in 2021, up 7.9%. It is the seat of Durham Region government. Whitby Harbour has a 420-berth marina, and the north end includes Brooklin, where much of the newer housing is. Whitby has a specialized health centre but no full-service hospital, so residents go to Oshawa, Ajax-Pickering or Port Perry for one. See the best neighbourhoods to live in Whitby.
Schools
Both towns are served by the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. School zones follow the street address, not the town, so check the board locator before you make an offer.
Ajax and Whitby are closer than most buyers expect. Taxes are a wash, detached homes sell at the same speed, and the price gap is about $50,000. In my view, the deciding factors are practical: if you take the GO train every day or want a hospital close by, Ajax fits well. If you drive north on the 407 or want a newer home in Brooklin, Whitby makes more sense. For condos, Ajax was much cheaper in 2026, but Whitby had more choice.
Highway 401 runs right through Ajax, and some homes near it hear the traffic. Visit any home you like at rush hour, and test the drive to Ajax GO or the 401 at the time you would really travel. Only four streets cross the highway, so some trips take longer than the map suggests.
Who should pick Ajax?
- Daily GO riders who want to be one stop closer to Toronto.
- Buyers who want a lower entry price, especially for condo apartments.
- Families and retirees who value a full-service hospital in town.
- People who love the water and want a long public lakefront trail.
Who should pick Whitby?
- Drivers who use Highway 407 to reach York Region or north Toronto.
- Buyers who want more listings, with about 200 more detached sales in 2026.
- Families looking for newer homes in Brooklin.
- Condo buyers who want an active market, since Whitby’s condo apartment sales rose 36.4%.
What to do next
- Get a written pre-approval and work out your full monthly cost, including the real tax bill.
- Ride Lakeshore East from Ajax GO and Whitby GO at your actual commute time.
- Check school zones on the Durham board locators.
- Compare the two waterfronts in person. My guide to the Port Whitby and Ajax waterfront is a good start.
- If you own now, get a current value. See what your Pickering or Ajax house is worth.
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 Ajax better than Whitby?
Neither is better for everyone in 2027. Ajax was a little cheaper from January to October 2026, with a median detached price of $925,000 against $977,000 in Whitby, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Ajax is one GO stop closer to Toronto and has a full-service hospital. Whitby has more listings and Highway 407 and 412 access.
Is Ajax cheaper than Whitby in 2026?
Yes, for most home types. From January to October 2026, Ajax medians were $925,000 for detached homes, $750,000 for freehold townhouses and $437,500 for condo apartments, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Whitby’s were $977,000, $765,000 and $536,000. Whitby’s condo townhouse median, $617,500, was slightly below Ajax’s $625,000.
Which has higher property taxes, Ajax or Whitby?
Ajax is very slightly higher. The 2026 total residential tax rate is 1.388664% in Ajax and 1.382491% in Whitby, including town, Durham Region and education portions. On a home assessed at $600,000, that is about $8,332 in Ajax and $8,295 in Whitby, a difference of under $40 a year.
Is Ajax closer to Toronto than Whitby?
Yes. Ajax sits between Pickering and Whitby, so it is one stop closer to Union Station on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line. Both towns use Highway 401 to reach Toronto. Whitby has better access to Highway 407 through Highway 412, which has been toll-free since April 2022, although the 407 itself charges tolls.
Does Whitby have a hospital?
Whitby does not have a full-service hospital as of 2026. Lakeridge Health Whitby operates as a specialized health centre on the site of the former Whitby General Hospital. The nearest full-service hospitals are in Oshawa, Ajax-Pickering and Port Perry. Ajax has its own hospital, which matters to some families and retirees.
How fast do houses sell in Ajax and Whitby?
Fairly fast. From January to October 2026, detached homes averaged 23 days on market in both Ajax and Whitby, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Condo apartments took longer, 38 days in Ajax and 34 in Whitby. Both towns were slightly slower than in 2025, giving buyers more time to decide.
Do Ajax and Whitby have the same school boards?
Yes. Both towns are served by the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. The school your child attends depends on your exact address, not just the town, so check the board’s school locator before you buy a home in Ajax or Whitby in 2027.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Whitby?
At Whitby’s median detached price of $977,000 from January to October 2026, the minimum down payment is $72,700. That is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $477,000. In Ajax, at the $925,000 median, it is $67,500. With less than 20% down, mortgage insurance is added to the loan.
Is Ajax a good place to buy a condo in 2027?
It can be good value. Ajax’s median condo apartment price was $437,500 from January to October 2026, down 14.0% from 2025 and about $98,500 below Whitby’s, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. The trade-off is choice: only 52 condo apartments sold in Ajax, so check each building’s fees and reserve fund closely.
Sources
- Town of Ajax – 2026 final tax rates
- Town of Whitby – 2026 property tax rates
- Town of Ajax – Waterfront
- Ajax, Ontario (Wikipedia: 2021 census, Highway 401, history)
- Whitby, Ontario (Wikipedia: 2021 census, highways, hospital, harbour)
- GO Transit – Ajax GO station details
- GO Transit – Whitby GO station details
- Metrolinx – Lakeshore East line GO Expansion
Related reading
- Mississauga vs Oakville in 2027: Prices, Commute and Which Fits You
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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.