Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Oshawa has the cheapest semi-detached homes in the GTA, with a median price of $610,000 from January to October 2026. Clarington ($627,500), Brampton ($790,000), Ajax ($810,000) and Whitby ($823,000) complete the top five. Brampton has by far the most choice, with 687 semi sales, while the Durham towns have very few listings.
This guide is for buyers who want a house with its own front door and yard but cannot stretch to a detached home. You will see where semi-detached homes cost the least across the GTA, what each of the five cheapest cities is like for buyers, and how much cash you need to buy one in 2027.
Where are the cheapest semi-detached homes in the GTA?
Oshawa has the cheapest semi-detached homes in the GTA, with a median sale price of $610,000 from January to October 2026. Clarington, Brampton, Ajax and Whitby round out the five cheapest cities. A semi-detached home, or “semi”, shares one wall with the house next door. It usually costs less than a detached house in the same area but gives you more space than most townhouses.
I only ranked cities with at least 30 semi sales, so one or two odd sales do not drive the numbers.
| City | Median semi price 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Sales | Avg days on market | Active listings (end of Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshawa | $610,000 | -7.6% | 180 | 21 | 49 |
| Clarington | $627,500 | -9.5% | 36 | 19 | 7 |
| Brampton | $790,000 | -8.1% | 687 | 28 | 172 |
| Ajax | $810,000 | -3.4% | 53 | 22 | 12 |
| Whitby | $823,000 | -3.0% | 54 | 22 | 11 |
| Newmarket | $825,000 | -7.6% | 91 | 27 | 21 |
| Pickering | $826,499 | -3.4% | 68 | 19 | 19 |
| Caledon | $865,000 | -6.0% | 43 | 27 | 16 |
| Mississauga | $885,000 | -7.3% | 662 | 26 | 204 |
| Burlington | $885,000 | -3.3% | 96 | 25 | 25 |
| Milton | $912,000 | -6.9% | 108 | 24 | 35 |
| Oakville | $985,000 | -13.2% | 77 | 27 | 22 |
| Markham | $1,025,000 | -12.2% | 151 | 28 | 42 |
| Vaughan | $1,040,000 | -9.2% | 148 | 28 | 45 |
| Richmond Hill | $1,051,000 | -7.7% | 71 | 27 | 31 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Semi-detached homes only, cities with 30 or more semi sales. City-wide medians, not neighbourhood prices.
Semi prices fell in every one of these cities. Oakville and Markham saw the biggest drops, at 13.2% and 12.2%. A few smaller towns, such as Georgina, had a lower median than Brampton, but with only 11 semi sales the number is not reliable enough to rank.
1. Oshawa: the cheapest semis in the GTA
What it is like: Oshawa is in Durham Region, east of Whitby. GO trains on the Lakeshore East line run to Oshawa today, and Metrolinx is extending the line east to Bowmanville. Oshawa has more semis selling than any other Durham town, so you have real choice.
Who it suits: first-time buyers who want a house rather than a condo, and buyers who work in Durham or can handle a longer commute.
What it costs: the median semi sold for $610,000 in 2026, down from $660,000 in 2025 and $686,000 in 2024. There were 180 sales, and homes sold in 21 days on average, so good semis still move fast.
What to check: property tax. Oshawa’s 2026 total residential rate is 1.575342% of assessed value, the highest of the five cities here. That eats into the price savings, so compare full monthly costs, not just the price. My Whitby vs Oshawa comparison goes deeper on the two cities.
2. Clarington: low prices, very few listings
What it is like: Clarington is east of Oshawa and includes Bowmanville and Courtice. Metrolinx is building about 18.7 km of new GO track east from Oshawa to Bowmanville. A major construction contract was awarded in January 2026, but Metrolinx has not given an opening date.
Who it suits: buyers who want the lowest price and are happy to live further east, especially if they work in Durham.
What it costs: the median semi was $627,500, down 9.5%. Only 36 semis sold from January to October 2026, the same as in 2025, and there were just 7 on the market at the end of October. Homes sold in 19 days on average.
What to check: with so few sales, one or two unusual homes can move the median a lot. Look at the actual recent sales near the home you want. Do not pay extra today for a GO extension that has no opening date. My guide to buying and selling in Bowmanville and Clarington has more local detail.
Free tool — what can you actually afford?
3. Brampton: the most semis to choose from
What it is like: Brampton is the biggest semi market in the GTA outside Toronto. It had 687 semi sales from January to October 2026, slightly more than Mississauga’s 662.
Who it suits: buyers who work in Peel, Halton or west Toronto, and families who want lots of choice under $800,000.
What it costs: the median semi was $790,000, down 8.1% from $860,000 in 2025 and $923,000 in 2024. Homes took 28 days to sell on average. There were 172 semis for sale at the end of October, down from 268 a year earlier.
What to check: Brampton’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 1.253381%, higher than Mississauga’s 1.087901%. If a semi you like has a basement apartment and you plan to rent it out, ask whether it is a legal, registered unit. My Brampton housing market outlook covers prices for every home type.
4. Ajax: Durham semis closer to Toronto
What it is like: Ajax sits between Pickering and Whitby on the Lakeshore East GO line, which Metrolinx calls its second-busiest GO rail line. It is one of the closest Durham towns to Toronto.
Who it suits: commuters who want a Durham price with a shorter trip into the city.
What it costs: the median semi was $810,000, down only 3.4%. Sales fell 36.9% to 53, and just 12 semis were listed at the end of October. Homes sold in 22 days.
What to check: with so few listings, you may have to move fast. Ajax’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 1.388664%.
5. Whitby: steady prices and fast sales
What it is like: Whitby is between Ajax and Oshawa and also has a Lakeshore East GO station. Its semi prices held up better than most of the GTA.
Who it suits: buyers who want a Durham town with steady values and quick resale.
What it costs: the median semi was $823,000, down 3.0%, the smallest drop of the five. Sales rose 8% to 54, and homes sold in 22 days. Only 11 semis were for sale at the end of October.
What to check: Whitby’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 1.382491%. Because supply is so low, get your financing ready before you start touring.
Are there cheaper semi-detached homes inside Toronto?
Yes, but only a few. Some Toronto districts in Scarborough and the north-west had semi medians below Brampton’s $790,000. The catch is that very few semis sell in these districts.
| Toronto district | Main communities | Median semi 2026 | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| E09 | Bendale, Morningside, Woburn | $745,000 | 15 |
| W10 | Rexdale-Kipling, Thistletown, West Humber-Clairville | $768,500 | 22 |
| E04 | Dorset Park, Wexford-Maryvale, Kennedy Park | $772,500 | 40 |
| E11 | Malvern, Rouge E11 | $820,000 | 33 |
| W05 | Humber Summit, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Downsview | $835,000 | 185 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026. District-level medians, not neighbourhood prices.
W05 stands out. It had 185 semi sales at a median of $835,000, so it is the only part of Toronto with a lot of choice near Brampton’s price. Inside Toronto you also pay the municipal land transfer tax on top of Ontario’s, but Toronto’s 2026 property tax rate of 0.767311% is much lower than in Durham or Peel. My post on the cheapest houses in Toronto has more on these districts.
How much do you need to buy a semi-detached home in the GTA?
In Canada, the minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the part from $500,000 to $1.5 million. With less than 20% down, you also pay a mortgage insurance premium, which is added to your loan.
| Where | Median semi 2026 | Minimum down payment | Land transfer tax (before rebates) | 2026 residential tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshawa | $610,000 | $36,000 | $8,675 | 1.575342% |
| Clarington | $627,500 | $37,750 | $9,025 | Check with the Municipality |
| Brampton | $790,000 | $54,000 | $12,275 | 1.253381% |
| Ajax | $810,000 | $56,000 | $12,675 | 1.388664% |
| Whitby | $823,000 | $57,300 | $12,935 | 1.382491% |
| Toronto E09 | $745,000 | $49,500 | $22,750 (Ontario + Toronto) | 0.767311% |
Source: my calculations using medians from TRREB MLS data via REALM (January–October 2026), Government of Canada down payment rules, Ontario and City of Toronto land transfer tax rates, and 2026 tax rates from each city or region. Add legal fees, title insurance and adjustments.
First-time buyers can get an Ontario land transfer tax refund of up to $4,000, which covers about half the tax on an Oshawa semi.
A low price can hide a high monthly cost. Oshawa’s tax rate is roughly double Toronto’s. Tax is charged on assessed value, not on what you pay, so ask for the current tax bill on any home you like. Also remember that you share a wall with your neighbour. Ask about noise, the condition of the shared roof line and any shared driveway before you firm up.
Is a semi-detached house a good buy in 2027?
For many first-time buyers, a semi is the best middle ground in the GTA right now. Semi prices fell in all 15 cities in the table above. At the same time, semis are the tightest home type in the biggest GTA markets. In TRREB’s September 2026 report, semis across the TRREB area sold for 102% of list price on average, while condo apartments sold for 97%.
Rates are the main risk. The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026 and said it may need to raise rates again. The big banks raised prime to 4.70%. Your lender will test you at the higher of 5.25% or your contract rate plus two points.
My view, and it is only a view: if you want the cheapest semi with the most choice, Brampton is the practical pick, because it has about 13 times as many semis selling as Ajax or Whitby. If you want the lowest price and can live in east Durham, Oshawa gives you a semi for about $180,000 less than Brampton, but budget for the higher tax. In the small Durham markets, I would have financing ready and be willing to act within days, because good semis do not sit there. For more on how a semi compares with other home types, see my guide to condos vs townhouses vs semis.
What to do next
- Use the affordability calculator on this page to see what price fits your income and down payment.
- Get a mortgage pre-approval so you can move quickly in tight markets like Ajax, Whitby and Clarington.
- Ask for the current property tax bill on every home you consider and compare full monthly costs.
- Test your commute from each city at rush hour, by GO and by car.
- Book a call with me to set up alerts for semis in your top two or three cities.
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
Where is the cheapest semi-detached house in the GTA?
Oshawa had the cheapest semi-detached homes in the GTA from January to October 2026, with a median sale price of $610,000, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Clarington was next at $627,500, then Brampton at $790,000, Ajax at $810,000 and Whitby at $823,000. Oshawa also had 180 semi sales, so there is real choice.
How much is a semi-detached house in Brampton?
The median semi-detached home in Brampton sold for $790,000 from January to October 2026, down 8.1% from $860,000 in 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Brampton had 687 semi sales in that time, the most of any GTA city outside Toronto, and homes took 28 days to sell on average.
Can you buy a semi-detached house in Toronto for under $800,000?
Yes, in a few districts. From January to October 2026, the median semi sold for $745,000 in E09 (Bendale, Morningside, Woburn), $768,500 in W10 and $772,500 in E04, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Very few semis sell in these areas, though: just 15 to 40 sales in each district.
How much down payment do I need for a semi-detached house in Oshawa?
On a $610,000 semi in Oshawa, the 2026 median price, the minimum down payment is $36,000. That is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $110,000. With less than 20% down, a mortgage insurance premium is added to your loan. Ontario land transfer tax on that price is $8,675 before any first-time buyer refund.
Are semi-detached home prices going down in the GTA?
Yes. From January to October 2026, the median semi-detached price fell in every GTA city with at least 30 semi sales, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Drops ranged from 3.0% in Whitby to 13.2% in Oakville. Brampton fell 8.1% and Mississauga 7.3%. No one can promise what prices will do in 2027.
Is Oshawa or Brampton cheaper for a semi-detached house?
Oshawa is cheaper to buy. Its median semi sold for $610,000 from January to October 2026, against $790,000 in Brampton. But Oshawa’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 1.575342%, compared with 1.253381% in Brampton, and Brampton has far more semis to choose from, with 687 sales against Oshawa’s 180.
Do semi-detached homes sell fast in the GTA?
Yes, semis are one of the fastest-selling home types in the GTA. In TRREB’s September 2026 report, semis across the TRREB area sold for 102% of list price on average. In Clarington, Oshawa, Ajax and Whitby, semis sold in 19 to 22 days on average from January to October 2026, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM.
What is the property tax rate in Oshawa in 2026?
Oshawa’s 2026 total residential property tax rate is 1.575342% of assessed value. That includes 0.659196% for the City of Oshawa, 0.763146% for the Region of Durham and 0.153% for education. It is higher than nearby Whitby (1.382491%) and Ajax (1.388664%), and about double Toronto’s 0.767311%.
Is a semi-detached house better than a townhouse?
It depends on your budget and needs. A semi shares one wall and usually has its own yard and driveway, while a townhouse shares two walls and may carry condo fees. In many GTA cities, semis cost a little more than freehold townhouses. In Brampton, the 2026 medians were $790,000 for a semi and $755,000 for a freehold townhouse.
Sources
- City of Oshawa: Property tax rates
- Region of Peel: Total 2026 tax rates
- Town of Ajax: 2026 final tax rates
- Town of Whitby: 2026 property tax rates
- Metrolinx: Bowmanville expansion
- Metrolinx: Lakeshore East line GO Expansion
- TRREB Market Watch, September 2026
- Government of Canada: Saving for a down payment
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.