Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Detached houses cost about the same: roughly $1.417 million across Toronto and $1.415 million in Vaughan from January to October 2026. Vaughan was cheaper for semis, freehold townhouses and condos, has a slightly lower tax rate and no Toronto land transfer tax. Toronto has far more subway access and condo choice, and 17 districts below Vaughan’s detached median.
This guide is for buyers choosing between the City of Toronto and Vaughan for a 2027 move, and for owners in one weighing the other. You will get 2026 prices by home type, which parts of Toronto cost less than Vaughan, the tax and closing-cost gap in dollars, the subway facts, and a plain answer on who each city suits.
Toronto vs Vaughan: how do prices compare side by side?
Vaughan is one city that the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) reports as one area. Toronto is reported as 35 numbered districts. To get one Toronto number, I weighted each district’s median sold price by its number of sales.
| Jan–Oct 2026 | Toronto median (35 districts) | Toronto sales | Vaughan median | Vaughan sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | about $1,417,000 (−4.7%) | 6,296 | $1,415,000 (−5.0%) | 1,193 |
| Semi-detached | about $1,184,000 (−2.1%) | 2,070 | $1,040,000 (−9.2%) | 148 |
| Freehold townhouse | about $1,124,000 (−5.3%) | 761 | $1,014,500 (−9.3%) | 358 |
| Condo townhouse | about $746,000 (−6.2%) | 1,213 | $768,000 (−6.1%) | 87 |
| Condo apartment | about $575,000 (−7.4%) | 9,173 | $530,000 (−10.9%) | 664 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (change in brackets). Toronto medians are my sales-weighted calculation across all 35 TRREB districts, not official TRREB figures.
The headline is surprising. A typical detached house cost almost exactly the same in both cities in 2026, at about $1.4 million. The real differences are in the other home types and in what each city sells. Condo apartments made up about 47% of Toronto’s sales in this data, but only about 27% of Vaughan’s.
Why the overall medians look so different
TRREB’s October 2026 Market Watch puts the year-to-date median for all home types at $820,000 in Toronto and $1,100,000 in Vaughan. That does not mean Vaughan is $280,000 dearer for the same home. It means Toronto sells far more condos, which pull its overall median down. Always compare the same home type.
Is Vaughan cheaper than Toronto?
For most home types other than detached, yes. Vaughan’s semi-detached median was about $144,000 below Toronto’s, its freehold townhouses were about $110,000 cheaper, and its condo apartments about $45,000 cheaper. Condo townhouses were the exception, about $22,000 cheaper in Toronto, though Vaughan had only 87 sales.
Toronto semis held their value best of any home type in either city, falling only about 2.1% in 2026. In my experience, many of them are older homes in central neighbourhoods where few new semis get built. In Vaughan, a semi is more often a newer suburban home, and its median fell 9.2%.
Over two years, Vaughan has dropped further. Its detached median is down 11.0% from $1,590,000 in January–October 2024, against about 9.0% for Toronto’s weighted figure. Vaughan’s condo apartment median is down 16.5% since 2024, and Toronto’s about 12.4%. My Vaughan housing market 2027 guide has the full Vaughan breakdown.
Which Toronto districts cost less than Vaughan?
Seventeen of Toronto’s 35 districts had a detached median below Vaughan’s $1,415,000 in 2026. These include all of Scarborough, much of northwest Toronto and parts of North York. Here are some of them.
| Area | Main communities | Detached median | Condo apt median |
|---|---|---|---|
| E09 | Bendale, Morningside, Woburn | $866,500 | $450,000 |
| W10 | Rexdale-Kipling, Thistletown, West Humber-Clairville | $870,000 | $401,000 |
| W05 | Downsview-Roding-CFB, York University Heights, Humber Summit | $971,250 | $450,000 |
| W09 | Humber Heights, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview | $1,135,000 | $525,000 |
| E03 | East York, Danforth Village-East York, O’Connor-Parkview | $1,195,000 | $452,500 |
| C06 | Bathurst Manor, Clanton Park | $1,295,444 | $491,000 |
| C15 | Bayview Village, Don Valley Village, Hillcrest Village | $1,411,000 | $526,750 |
| Vaughan | Whole city | $1,415,000 | $530,000 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026. Community names from TRREB’s Q2 2026 Toronto community reports.
At the other end, central districts such as C04 and C09 had detached medians above $2.3 million. So the choice is rarely “Toronto or Vaughan” in general. It is usually one part of Toronto against one part of Vaughan. For a closer look at the cheaper end, see my guide to the cheapest houses in Toronto, or my North York vs Vaughan comparison if you are looking just south of Steeles.
Are homes selling faster in Toronto or Vaughan?
Toronto homes sold a little faster. Detached houses averaged about 26 days on market in Toronto and 30 in Vaughan. Semis averaged about 20 days in Toronto against 28 in Vaughan. Condo apartments were slow in both, at about 38 days in Toronto and 42 in Vaughan.
Sale-to-list ratios were close. TRREB’s year-to-date figures show homes selling at 98% of asking in Toronto and 97% in Vaughan. In both cities, buyers have time to compare and negotiate, especially on condos.
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Which costs more to buy and own, Toronto or Vaughan?
Toronto, on both counts. It charges a second land transfer tax on top of Ontario’s, and its 2026 property tax rate is slightly higher than Vaughan’s.
| Cost item | Toronto | Vaughan |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 residential tax rate | 0.767311% | 0.749217% |
| Yearly tax on a $700,000 assessment | about $5,371 | about $5,245 |
| Land transfer tax on a $1,415,000 house | $24,775 Ontario + $24,775 Toronto = $49,550 | $24,775 Ontario only |
| Land transfer tax at each city’s condo median | $15,950 on $575,000 | $7,075 on $530,000 |
| First-time buyer refunds (maximum) | Ontario $4,000 + Toronto $4,475 | Ontario $4,000 |
Source: City of Toronto 2026 tax rates and municipal land transfer tax rates (in effect 1 April 2026); City of Vaughan By-law 103-2026; Ontario land transfer tax brackets; City of Toronto first-time buyer rebate page. Dollar amounts are my calculation.
On a detached house at the 2026 median, a Toronto buyer pays $24,775 more on closing day, and then about $127 a year more in property tax on a $700,000 assessment. That is the hidden cost of buying in Toronto. First-time buyers in Toronto can get up to $4,475 of the city tax back, which helps but does not close the gap on a house. My guide to land transfer tax in Toronto walks through more examples.
Which is better for commuting, Toronto or Vaughan?
Toronto, unless you live near the subway in Vaughan. Toronto has subway Lines 1, 2 and 4, and Line 5 Eglinton opened on 8 February 2026, running from Mount Dennis to Kennedy. Much of the city is a short bus ride from rapid transit.
Vaughan has one subway station: Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the northwest end of Line 1. Around it, the city is building a new downtown of about 179 hectares near Highway 7 and Jane Street. For condo buyers who want a subway ride downtown without paying Toronto’s land transfer tax, this is the main option. See my guide to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre condo buildings.
Driving and future lines
Most of Vaughan is built around the car, with Highway 400 running north–south through the city and Highway 407 crossing it. Metrolinx is building a Line 1 extension of about 8 km north from Finch station, with five stations serving Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill. It says the line will open after the Ontario Line, which has no confirmed date. Do not pay extra today for a home near it.
What is daily life like in Toronto vs Vaughan?
Toronto gives you the widest choice in the GTA: downtown towers, Victorian semis, postwar bungalows and big suburban lots. Your experience depends on the district, so compare streets, not the city name.
Vaughan had 323,103 people in the 2021 census, up 5.5% from 2016. It is a set of communities, including Woodbridge, Maple, Thornhill, Kleinburg and Concord. Canada’s Wonderland is on Highway 400, Vaughan Mills opened in 2004, and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital opened on 6 June 2021 with 350 beds. Schools are run by York Region’s boards, including the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board, while Toronto has its own boards. Check the school for any address with the board before you buy.
A Toronto-wide median hides a huge range, from about $866,500 to over $3.6 million for a detached house depending on the district. Districts with only a few sales of one home type can also swing a lot from year to year. Price any home against recent sales on the same street, not against a city-wide number.
With detached prices this close, I tell clients to choose by commute and home type, then budget for closing costs. If you want a condo or semi near the subway, Toronto gives you far more choice. If you want a newer freehold townhouse or semi with a garage, Vaughan usually costs less and saves you the Toronto land transfer tax. If you want a detached house under $1.2 million, look at Toronto’s Scarborough and northwest districts before you rule Toronto out.
Who should pick Toronto?
- Transit riders who want to live near the subway or Line 5.
- Condo buyers who want choice, with about 9,170 condo apartment sales in 2026.
- Detached buyers with about $900,000 to $1.2 million who are open to Scarborough, Etobicoke’s north end or northwest Toronto.
- Sellers who want a slightly faster sale.
Who should pick Vaughan?
- Freehold townhouse and semi buyers, who saved about $110,000 to $144,000 at the 2026 medians.
- Buyers who want one land transfer tax, not two.
- Drivers who work along Highway 400 or north of the city.
- Families who want newer subdivisions and a newer hospital close by.
What to do next
- Pick two or three Toronto districts from the table and compare them with the Vaughan communities you like.
- Get a written mortgage pre-approval, since rates rose in late October 2026.
- Add land transfer tax and a year of property tax to your budget for each option.
- Test your commute at rush hour, by car and by transit, from the exact street.
- If you own now, get a value estimate before you decide which city you can afford.
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 Toronto better than Vaughan?
Neither is better for everyone. In 2026, detached houses cost about the same in both, close to $1.4 million at the median. Toronto has far more subway access and condo choice. Vaughan had cheaper semis, freehold townhouses and condos, a slightly lower tax rate and no Toronto land transfer tax. Choose based on your commute and the home type you want.
Is Vaughan cheaper than Toronto in 2027?
For most home types, yes. From January to October 2026, Vaughan’s semi median was about $144,000 below Toronto’s, freehold townhouses about $110,000 lower and condo apartments about $45,000 lower. Detached medians were nearly tied at about $1,415,000 to $1,417,000. These are TRREB MLS figures via REALM, not a 2027 forecast.
Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax in Vaughan?
No. Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax applies only inside the City of Toronto. Vaughan buyers pay Ontario’s land transfer tax alone. On a $1,415,000 house in 2026, that is $24,775 in Vaughan, against $49,550 in Toronto, where both taxes apply. Toronto first-time buyers can get up to $4,475 of the city tax back.
Is property tax lower in Vaughan or Toronto?
Vaughan’s is slightly lower. Its 2026 total residential rate is 0.749217%, against Toronto’s 0.767311%. On a home assessed at $700,000, that is about $5,245 a year in Vaughan and $5,371 in Toronto, a gap of about $127. Your bill is based on MPAC’s assessed value, not the price you paid.
Does the subway go to Vaughan?
Yes. Line 1 Yonge–University ends at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station, near Highway 7 and Jane Street. As of November 2026 it is Vaughan’s only subway station. A Line 1 extension north from Finch toward Richmond Hill is being built, but Metrolinx says it will open only after the Ontario Line, which has no confirmed date.
Which parts of Toronto are cheaper than Vaughan?
Seventeen of Toronto’s 35 TRREB districts had a detached median below Vaughan’s $1,415,000 from January to October 2026. They include all eight Scarborough districts, northwest districts such as W05, W09 and W10, East York’s E03, and North York’s C06 and C15. The lowest was E09, at $866,500.
Are condos cheaper in Vaughan or Toronto?
Vaughan’s are cheaper on average. Its condo apartment median was $530,000 from January to October 2026, against about $575,000 across Toronto. But many Toronto districts were cheaper than Vaughan, including W10 at $401,000 and E09 at $450,000. Toronto also had about 9,170 condo apartment sales to choose from, against 664 in Vaughan.
How fast are homes selling in Vaughan in 2026?
Detached houses in Vaughan averaged 30 days on market from January to October 2026, against about 26 days across Toronto. Vaughan condo apartments averaged 42 days and Toronto’s about 38. TRREB’s year-to-date figures show Vaughan homes selling at 97% of the asking price and Toronto homes at 98%.
Sources
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2026 (year-to-date municipal summary)
- City of Toronto: Property tax rates and fees (2026)
- City of Vaughan: By-law 103-2026 (2026 tax rates)
- City of Toronto: Municipal land transfer tax rates and fees
- City of Toronto: MLTT rebate opportunities (first-time buyers)
- Ontario Ministry of Finance: Calculating land transfer tax
- Metrolinx: Yonge North Subway Extension
- Vaughan (Wikipedia: 2021 census, communities, subway, hospital)
Related reading
- Mississauga vs Oakville in 2027: Prices, Commute and Which Fits You
- Brampton vs Mississauga in 2027: Prices, Commute and Which Fits You
- 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.