Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Stouffville is cheaper: its detached median was $1,230,000 from January to October 2026, about $190,000 below Markham’s $1,420,000. Markham has the lower tax rate (0.722889% vs 0.855234%), far more condos and more GO trains. Pick Stouffville for value and space if you work from home; pick Markham for transit, condos and choice.
This guide is for buyers deciding between Stouffville and Markham in 2027, and for Markham owners wondering whether moving north gets them more house. You will get 2026 prices by home type, the tax gap in dollars, how the Stouffville GO line really works for each, and who each place suits.
Stouffville vs Markham: how do they compare side by side?
Stouffville is the everyday name for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, which sits directly north of Markham in York Region. The two are very different in size. Markham had 338,503 people in the 2021 census, the most in York Region. Whitchurch-Stouffville had 49,864, and the largest share of them live in the community of Stouffville itself.
| Measure (Jan–Oct 2026) | Stouffville | Markham |
|---|---|---|
| Detached median price | $1,230,000 (−6.5%) | $1,420,000 (−6.5%) |
| Detached sales | 296 (−8.1%) | 1,113 (+10.6%) |
| Semi-detached median | $900,000 (−8.6%) | $1,025,000 (−12.2%) |
| Freehold townhouse median | $835,000 (−9.9%) | $999,990 (−10.9%) |
| Freehold townhouse sales | 104 (+40.5%) | 391 (+3.7%) |
| Condo apartment median | Too few sales (11) to compare | $558,000 (−13.2%) |
| Average days on market, detached | 38 | 29 |
| Average days on market, freehold town | 24 | 29 |
| 2026 total residential tax rate | 0.855234% | 0.722889% |
| GO stations | Stouffville and Old Elm | Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (changes in brackets); Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and City of Markham 2026 tax rates; 2021 census.
The Stouffville figures cover the whole town, including rural areas and smaller communities outside the main urban area. A median is the middle sale, so treat it as a guide to the town, not a price for a particular street.
Is Stouffville cheaper than Markham?
Yes. Stouffville’s detached median was $1,230,000 from January to October 2026, which is $190,000 below Markham’s $1,420,000. Freehold townhouses were about $165,000 cheaper in Stouffville, and semis about $125,000 cheaper.
Here is a simple way to picture how far prices have come down. Markham’s 2026 detached median, $1,420,000, is exactly what Stouffville’s detached median was from January to October 2024. Two years of falling prices have brought Markham down to where Stouffville stood in 2024. Over those two years, Markham’s detached median fell 13.9% and Stouffville’s 13.4%.
Which market moved faster?
The two moved in opposite directions on detached homes. Markham sold 10.6% more detached homes than in 2025, while Stouffville sold 8.1% fewer. Stouffville’s detached homes also took longer to sell, 38 days on average against 29 in Markham. Townhouses were the bright spot in Stouffville: sales jumped 40.5% and they sold in 24 days on average, faster than in Markham.
What about condos?
Stouffville had only 11 condo apartment sales in ten months, too few for a useful median. If you want a condo, Markham is the realistic choice, with 582 condo apartment sales at a $558,000 median.
How does the Stouffville GO line work for each town?
Both towns are on the same GO line, but they get very different service. That is the single most important commute fact in this comparison.
| Station | Town | Distance from Union Station |
|---|---|---|
| Unionville | Markham | 30.6 km |
| Centennial | Markham | 35.0 km |
| Markham | Markham | 36.7 km |
| Mount Joy | Markham | 38.7 km |
| Stouffville | Whitchurch-Stouffville | 46.8 km |
| Old Elm (end of line) | Whitchurch-Stouffville | 49.6 km |
Source: Stouffville line station list (Wikipedia); Metrolinx GO Expansion.
Markham gets the most trains
Outside rush hour, most trains run hourly in both directions between Union and either Unionville or Mount Joy, and only a few go on to Stouffville and Old Elm. At rush hour, trains run over the full line in the peak direction. Metrolinx’s GO Expansion plan names Unionville GO as the end of the line’s core section, where it aims for trains every 15 minutes or better, all day, in both directions. It has not set a date.
Stouffville is mainly a rush-hour station
Stouffville GO is at 6176 Main Street. GO Transit says it is not staffed, and it lists about 376 parking spaces across two lots. If you work a regular weekday schedule downtown, it can work well. If you need trains at midday or on weekends, you may end up driving to Mount Joy or Unionville. Check the current timetable before you buy.
Driving
Highway 404 runs along Stouffville’s western edge and between Markham and Richmond Hill. The Province has widened the 404 from Highway 407 north to Stouffville Road. Highway 48 runs north through Markham and the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Markham also has the 407 toll highway across its middle.
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Which has lower property taxes, Stouffville or Markham?
Markham has the lower rate. Its 2026 total residential rate is 0.722889%, against 0.855234% in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Both pay the same York Region rate (0.392412%) and education rate (0.153%). The gap is the local portion: 0.177477% for the City of Markham and 0.309822% for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
On a home assessed at $800,000, the 2026 bill would be about $5,783 in Markham and about $6,842 in Stouffville, about $1,060 a year more in Stouffville. Because Stouffville homes sell for less, their assessments are often lower, which can shrink the real gap. Ask for the seller’s latest tax bill. Our GTA property tax comparison puts both in context.
What is it like to live in Stouffville vs Markham?
Stouffville
Stouffville grew 8.8% from 2016 to 2021. The Town says most of its land is in the Greenbelt, which includes the Oak Ridges Moraine, so much of the land around the urban area is protected countryside. It is a work-from-home town: the Town reports that 38% of employed residents work from home and 17% are self-employed. Nearby outdoor spots include the York Region Forest and Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area, known for its maple syrup festival. Our guide to choosing a realtor in Stouffville covers its town and rural markets in more detail.
Markham
Markham grew 2.9% from 2016 to 2021. It is a set of communities, including Unionville, Markham Village, Cornell, Berczy Village, Milliken and part of Thornhill. It calls itself a tech hub, with more than 1,000 technology and life sciences companies. York University opened its Markham campus in September 2024. Markham Stouffville Hospital, named for both towns, is in Markham at Highway 7 and 9th Line. Read our guide to the best neighbourhoods in Markham.
Schools
Both are served by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board, plus French-language schools from Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. So the choice is about the school at a given address, not the town. Markham has more schools to choose from simply because it is much bigger. See our list of top schools in Markham.
How much down payment do you need in Stouffville vs Markham?
| Home type (2026 median) | Stouffville minimum down | Markham minimum down |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | $98,000 on $1,230,000 | $117,000 on $1,420,000 |
| Semi-detached | $65,000 on $900,000 | $77,500 on $1,025,000 |
| Freehold townhouse | $58,500 on $835,000 | About $75,000 on $999,990 |
Source: medians from TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026; federal minimum down payment rules (5% of the first $500,000, 10% of the rest up to $1.5 million).
With less than 20% down you pay mortgage default insurance on top. First-time buyers and buyers of newly built homes can take an insured mortgage over 30 years, which lowers the monthly payment. Rates went up in late October 2026, when the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50%, so get a fresh pre-approval before you shop.
The trade here is simple. Stouffville saves you about $190,000 on a detached home, and the townhouse market there has been lively. In return you pay a higher tax rate, you get fewer trains and fewer condos, and detached homes take longer to sell. If you work from home or keep a regular office schedule, Stouffville gives you a lot of value. If you need all-day trains, a condo or the shortest drive to the 404 tech corridor, stay in Markham.
A short line on the GO map is not the same as a frequent train. Before you buy in Stouffville because it is “on the GO line”, look up the actual trips from Stouffville GO at the times you travel. Also, homes outside the main urban area may be on the Oak Ridges Moraine, where the province’s conservation plan limits building, and some rural homes use wells and septic systems. Get those checked before you firm up.
Who should pick Stouffville?
- Buyers who want a detached home for less. The 2026 detached median was $1,230,000.
- Townhouse buyers who want a freehold home near $835,000.
- Remote and hybrid workers who do not need daily all-day trains.
- People who want countryside close by, with protected Greenbelt land around the town.
Who should pick Markham?
- Train commuters who want hourly two-way service from Unionville or Mount Joy.
- Condo buyers. Markham had 582 condo apartment sales at a $558,000 median.
- Owners who care about the tax rate. Markham’s 2026 rate is about 0.13 points lower.
- People who work in the tech corridor or want a big city’s choice of schools, shops and services.
- Sellers who want a faster sale on a detached home: 29 days on average, against 38.
What to do next
- Work out your full monthly cost in each town, including tax and how you will get to work.
- Check the GO timetable for Stouffville GO and your nearest Markham station at the hours you travel.
- Confirm the school for each address with the YRDSB or YCDSB.
- For a rural Stouffville home, book well, septic and land-use checks before you firm up.
- If you own in Markham, find out what your Markham house is worth and compare it with Stouffville prices.
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 Stouffville better than Markham?
Stouffville is better for value, and Markham is better for transit and choice. In 2026, Stouffville’s detached median was $1,230,000, about $190,000 below Markham’s $1,420,000. Markham has a lower 2026 tax rate, far more condos and more GO trains outside rush hour. Stouffville suits buyers who work from home and want space; Markham suits daily commuters.
Is Stouffville cheaper than Markham in 2026?
Yes. From January to October 2026, Stouffville’s median detached price was $1,230,000 and Markham’s was $1,420,000, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Stouffville was also cheaper for semis ($900,000 vs $1,025,000) and freehold townhouses ($835,000 vs $999,990). Both towns’ detached medians fell 6.5% from the same period of 2025.
Are property taxes higher in Stouffville or Markham?
The rate is higher in Stouffville. Whitchurch-Stouffville’s 2026 total residential rate is 0.855234%, against 0.722889% in Markham. On a home assessed at $800,000, that is about $6,842 a year in Stouffville and $5,783 in Markham. Stouffville homes often have lower assessments, so compare the actual tax bills.
Does the GO train run all day from Stouffville?
Not in the same way it does in Markham. Most off-peak Stouffville line trains run hourly between Union and Unionville or Mount Joy in Markham, and only a few continue to Stouffville and Old Elm. Rush-hour trains run the full line in the peak direction. Check GO Transit’s current timetable for Stouffville GO before you rely on it.
How long does it take to sell a house in Stouffville vs Markham?
Detached homes took longer in Stouffville in 2026: an average of 38 days on market, against 29 days in Markham, from January to October, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Freehold townhouses were the reverse, selling in 24 days in Stouffville and 29 in Markham. Stouffville’s townhouse sales rose 40.5% from 2025.
Can you buy a condo in Stouffville?
You can, but the choice is very small. Only 11 condo apartments sold in Whitchurch-Stouffville from January to October 2026, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM, too few for a reliable median price. Markham had 582 condo apartment sales at a median of $558,000 in the same period, so most condo buyers in this area look in Markham.
Is Stouffville in the Greenbelt?
Mostly, yes. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville says most of its land lies within the Greenbelt, which includes the Oak Ridges Moraine. The urban area of Stouffville is where most new housing has been built. Rural properties on the Moraine fall under the province’s conservation plan, which limits what you can build, so check before you buy land.
What hospital serves Stouffville and Markham?
Markham Stouffville Hospital is the hospital named for both towns. It is in Markham, at Highway 7 and 9th Line, near the 407 and Donald Cousens Parkway. Whitchurch-Stouffville does not list a hospital of its own in its community profile, so Stouffville residents drive south to Markham for hospital care.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Stouffville in 2027?
At Stouffville’s 2026 detached median of $1,230,000, the minimum down payment is $98,000. In Markham, at $1,420,000, it is $117,000. Canada’s rule is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the rest up to $1.5 million. With less than 20% down, you also pay mortgage default insurance.
Sources
- Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville: 2026 property tax rates
- City of Markham: About your tax bill (2026 tax rates)
- Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville: Community profile
- GO Transit: Stouffville GO station details
- Stouffville line (Wikipedia)
- Metrolinx: GO Expansion
- Ontario Budget 2026: Protect Ontario by Building (Highway 404 widening)
- Markham, Ontario (Wikipedia, 2021 census figures)
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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.