Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Georgina is far cheaper to buy into: its detached median was $800,000 from January to October 2026, against $1,125,000 in East Gwillimbury. East Gwillimbury is cheaper to own per dollar of assessment, with a 2026 tax rate of 0.916299% against Georgina’s 1.191146%, and it has a GO train station. Pick Georgina for the lake and price, East Gwillimbury for newer homes and the train.
This guide is for buyers choosing between Georgina and East Gwillimbury in 2027, and for owners in one town thinking about moving to the other. You will get 2026 prices by home type, how fast homes are selling, a property tax gap that changes the monthly math, the real commute picture, and a plain answer on who each town suits.
Georgina vs East Gwillimbury: how do they compare side by side?
Both towns sit at the top of York Region, between Newmarket and Lake Simcoe. Georgina runs along the south shore of the lake and takes in Keswick, Sutton, Jackson’s Point and Pefferlaw. East Gwillimbury sits directly south of it, with Holland Landing, Queensville, Sharon and Mount Albert. They share a border at Ravenshoe Road, but their housing markets are very different.
| Measure | Georgina | East Gwillimbury |
|---|---|---|
| Detached median, Jan–Oct 2026 | $800,000 (−2.1%) | $1,125,000 (−11.1%) |
| Detached sales, Jan–Oct 2026 | 475 (−5.8%) | 250 (−9.1%) |
| Detached average days on market | 36 | 38 |
| Freehold townhouse median | $697,000 (27 sales) | $835,000 (61 sales) |
| Months of inventory, October 2026 (all types) | 6.4 | 5.3 |
| Sale-to-list ratio, October 2026 (all types) | 96% | 94% |
| 2026 total residential tax rate | 1.191146% | 0.916299% |
| Population, 2021 census | 47,642 | 34,637 |
| GO train station | None | East Gwillimbury GO (Barrie line) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (changes in brackets); TRREB Market Watch, October 2026; Town of Georgina 2026 tax brochure; Town of East Gwillimbury 2026 tax rates; 2021 census figures as reported on Wikipedia. Figures cover each whole municipality.
Condos are almost absent from both. Georgina had seven condo apartment sales in ten months and East Gwillimbury had one, so I have left condos out of the comparison. These are freehold markets.
Is Georgina cheaper than East Gwillimbury?
Yes, by a wide margin. Georgina’s detached median was $800,000 from January to October 2026, which is $325,000 below East Gwillimbury’s $1,125,000. Freehold townhouses were also cheaper in Georgina, at $697,000 against $835,000, although Georgina had only 27 townhouse sales, so treat that figure with care.
Averages tell the same story. The average detached sale was $853,210 in Georgina and $1,155,276 in East Gwillimbury in 2026.
How far have prices fallen since 2024?
Much further in East Gwillimbury. Its detached median has dropped 17.2% in two years, from $1,359,000 in January–October 2024. Georgina’s has dropped 7.0%, from $860,000. So the detached gap between the towns has shrunk from $499,000 in 2024 to $325,000 in 2026.
Why is East Gwillimbury so much more expensive?
Mostly the age and type of the homes. East Gwillimbury’s population grew 44.4% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, which means a large share of its houses are recent subdivision builds. Georgina grew 4.9% over the same years, and in my experience much of its housing is older, including former cottages along the lake. In practice, a newer four-bedroom house in Queensville and a 1970s bungalow in Sutton are simply different products, even when the lot sizes are close.
Which has lower property taxes, Georgina or East Gwillimbury?
East Gwillimbury, by a large amount. Both towns pay the same York Region rate and the same education rate. The difference is the town portion: 0.645734% in Georgina against 0.370887% in East Gwillimbury.
| 2026 residential rate | Georgina | East Gwillimbury |
|---|---|---|
| Town | 0.645734% | 0.370887% |
| York Region | 0.392412% | 0.392412% |
| Education | 0.153000% | 0.153000% |
| Total | 1.191146% | 0.916299% |
| Tax on a $500,000 assessment | about $5,956 | about $4,581 |
| Tax on a $700,000 assessment | about $8,338 | about $6,414 |
Source: Town of Georgina 2026 final tax brochure; Town of East Gwillimbury 2026 tax rates. Dollar amounts are my calculation. Tax is charged on MPAC’s assessed value, which is still based on January 1, 2016 values, not on your purchase price.
On the same assessment, a Georgina owner pays about 30% more. Georgina says its average home has a current value assessment of $463,113, which works out to about $5,516 a year at the 2026 rate. A newer East Gwillimbury house will usually carry a higher assessment than an older Georgina home, so the real bills can end up closer than the rates suggest. Always ask the seller for the latest tax bill.
Georgina also started a seniors’ property tax rebate of $250 a year for owners 65 and over who receive the federal Guaranteed Income Supplement, have owned the home for at least a year, do not rent it out, and have an assessment under $1,000,000. You must apply each year before September 1.
Land transfer tax and down payment
Neither town charges a municipal land transfer tax, so you pay only Ontario’s. On the 2026 detached medians it is about $12,475 in Georgina and $18,975 in East Gwillimbury, before Ontario’s first-time buyer refund of up to $4,000. The minimum down payment is $55,000 on $800,000 and $87,500 on $1,125,000, under the federal rule of 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest up to $1.5 million.
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How fast are homes selling in Georgina and East Gwillimbury?
Slowly in both. Detached homes averaged 36 days on market in Georgina and 38 in East Gwillimbury in 2026, up from 32 and 31 days in 2025. Buyers in both towns had plenty of choice.
Supply backs that up. The REALM data showed 347 active detached listings in Georgina and 189 in East Gwillimbury. By my own rough arithmetic, that is about seven months of detached supply in each town, based on 2026’s average monthly sales. TRREB’s own October 2026 figure for all home types was 6.4 months in Georgina and 5.3 months in East Gwillimbury. Anything above about six months gives buyers room to negotiate.
Sellers were giving ground too. In October 2026, detached homes sold at 96% of the final list price on average in Georgina and 93% in East Gwillimbury. For more on Georgina pricing, see my guide to what a Keswick or Georgina house is worth in 2027.
What this means if you are selling
Plan for a sale that takes five or six weeks, not one. Price against detached sales in your own subdivision or lakeside street from the last few months, not against the 2024 peak. An overpriced listing in either town tends to sit while buyers compare.
Which is better for commuting to Toronto, Georgina or East Gwillimbury?
East Gwillimbury, especially if you want the train. East Gwillimbury GO station is on the Barrie line, with GO train and bus service to Toronto. No Barrie line station sits in Georgina, so Georgina commuters usually drive south to a GO station or drive the whole way. Check the GO timetable for the exact hours you travel.
For drivers, Highway 404 is the main route for both. Its northernmost interchange is at Woodbine Avenue, just south of Ravenshoe Road at the Keswick border. East Gwillimbury has three 404 interchanges: Green Lane, Queensville Sideroad and Woodbine Avenue. Sutton, Jackson’s Point and Pefferlaw are further east along the lake, so a Georgina commute is longer for most people. Test the drive at rush hour before you buy.
What is it like to live in Georgina vs East Gwillimbury?
Georgina
Georgina is a lake town. Its northern boundary is Lake Simcoe, and it is strung with beach communities, boat ramps and Sibbald Point Provincial Park. Keswick is the largest community, followed by Sutton and Jackson’s Point, with Pefferlaw and smaller lakeside settlements further east. The Town’s 2026 budget includes $15.3 million for a South Keswick fire hall and $8.4 million for Willow Beach Park. If you want to be on the water, read my guide to Georgina waterfront homes on Lake Simcoe first, because shoreline work may need a permit from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
East Gwillimbury
East Gwillimbury is a set of villages surrounded by protected land. Almost 75% of the town is in the Greenbelt or on the Oak Ridges Moraine, so growth is concentrated in Holland Landing, Queensville, Sharon and Mount Albert. The Sharon Temple, built between 1825 and 1831, is a National Historic Site. York Region Transit runs buses to the four villages, but most residents drive. My list of the best neighbourhoods in East Gwillimbury compares them.
Buying a new build in East Gwillimbury: what changes for 2027?
Two rules matter if you are buying from a builder, which is more common in East Gwillimbury than in Georgina.
- The Ontario enhanced new housing rebate. CRA Notice 346 (August 2026) says it covers agreements signed from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. It refunds the full 8% Ontario part of the HST up to $80,000 on homes up to $1 million, a flat $80,000 up to $1.5 million, and a partial amount below $1.85 million. The home must be your or a relative’s primary place of residence. Ontario’s separate New Home Affordability Payment can cover up to $50,000 of the federal part. Confirm eligibility with your lawyer before you sign.
- The freehold cooling-off period has moved. Tarion now says the 10-day cooling-off period for buyers of new freehold homes, along with the new information sheets and addenda, starts on January 1, 2028, not 2027. A freehold agreement you sign in 2027 will not have it.
Do not compare these towns on price alone. On a $700,000 assessment, Georgina charges about $1,924 more a year in property tax at 2026 rates, and a lakefront home can add shoreline permit limits, older septic systems and flood risk. Add tax, commute and inspection costs to every home you shortlist.
For most of my clients this comes down to budget and commute. If you need a detached house under about $900,000 and you can live with a longer drive, Georgina gives you far more house for the money, and its prices have held up better than East Gwillimbury’s since 2024. If you want a newer house, a GO station nearby and a lower tax rate, East Gwillimbury is the stronger pick, and today’s slower market gives you room to negotiate there. The Bank of Canada raised its rate to 2.50% on October 28, 2026, so update your pre-approval before you shop.
Who should pick Georgina?
- Detached buyers on a tighter budget. The 2026 median was $800,000.
- People who want Lake Simcoe for beaches, boating and winter fishing.
- Remote and hybrid workers who do not need a daily train.
- Buyers who like older homes and bigger lots and are happy to renovate.
Who should pick East Gwillimbury?
- GO train commuters who can use East Gwillimbury GO on the Barrie line.
- Buyers who want a newer house in a newer subdivision.
- Owners who care about yearly costs, with a 2026 tax rate about 23% lower than Georgina’s.
- Families heading toward Newmarket for work or services. Compare the two in my East Gwillimbury vs Newmarket guide.
What to do next
- Ask for the latest tax bill and MPAC assessment on every home you shortlist, and add the yearly tax to your monthly budget.
- Drive the commute at rush hour from the exact street, and check GO times from East Gwillimbury GO.
- Get a written mortgage pre-approval, since the Bank of Canada raised rates in late October 2026.
- For a lakefront or rural home, book septic, well and shoreline permit checks before you firm up. For a new build, have a lawyer review the agreement and your rebate eligibility.
- If you own now, get a value estimate so you know what you can carry into the other town.
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 Georgina cheaper than East Gwillimbury in 2027?
Yes, for houses. From January to October 2026, Georgina’s detached median was $800,000, about $325,000 below East Gwillimbury’s $1,125,000, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. Freehold townhouses were also cheaper in Georgina. These are 2026 figures, not a forecast, and Georgina’s higher property tax rate narrows the savings a little each year.
Is East Gwillimbury better than Georgina?
Neither is better for everyone. In 2026, East Gwillimbury suited buyers who want newer houses, a GO train station and a lower tax rate, with a detached median of $1,125,000. Georgina suited buyers who want Lake Simcoe and a lower price, with a detached median of $800,000. Choose based on your budget, your commute and the age of home you want.
Why are property taxes higher in Georgina than East Gwillimbury?
Because Georgina’s town rate is higher. In 2026, Georgina’s town portion is 0.645734% against East Gwillimbury’s 0.370887%, while both pay the same York Region and education rates. Georgina’s total 2026 residential rate is 1.191146% and East Gwillimbury’s is 0.916299%. On a $700,000 assessment that is about $8,338 against $6,414 a year.
Does Georgina have a GO train station?
No. As of November 2026, there is no GO train station in Georgina. The closest Barrie line station for most Georgina residents is East Gwillimbury GO, which has train service to Union Station in Toronto. Many Georgina commuters drive to a GO station or use Highway 404, whose northernmost interchange is at Woodbine Avenue by the Keswick border.
How long does it take to sell a house in Georgina?
About five weeks on average. Detached houses in Georgina averaged 36 days on market from January to October 2026, up from 32 days in 2025, based on TRREB MLS data via REALM. TRREB reported 6.4 months of inventory for all home types in October 2026, so sellers should price close to recent sales nearby.
What is the property tax rate in East Gwillimbury in 2026?
East Gwillimbury’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 0.916299%. That is 0.370887% for the town, 0.392412% for York Region and 0.153% for education. On a home assessed at $500,000, that is about $4,581 a year. Georgina’s 2026 rate is 1.191146%, so the same assessment costs about $5,956 there.
Is Keswick in Georgina or East Gwillimbury?
Keswick is in the Town of Georgina. It is Georgina’s largest community and sits on the shore of Lake Simcoe. Its southern edge meets East Gwillimbury at Ravenshoe Road, just north of Highway 404’s last interchange. Sutton, Jackson’s Point and Pefferlaw are the other main Georgina communities.
Can I get the HST rebate on a new home in East Gwillimbury in 2027?
Possibly, if you sign by March 31, 2027. CRA Notice 346 says Ontario’s enhanced new housing rebate covers agreements signed from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, refunding the full 8% Ontario HST up to $80,000 on homes up to $1 million. The home must be a primary residence. Confirm eligibility with your lawyer before signing.
When does the cooling-off period for new freehold homes start in Ontario?
January 1, 2028. Tarion says Ontario has moved the start date for the 10-day cooling-off period for buyers of new freehold homes, along with the new information sheets and addenda, from 2027 to January 1, 2028. A new detached or townhouse agreement signed in East Gwillimbury or Georgina during 2027 will not include it.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Georgina or East Gwillimbury?
At the 2026 detached medians, the minimum is $55,000 in Georgina on $800,000 and $87,500 in East Gwillimbury on $1,125,000. Canada’s rule is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest up to $1.5 million. With less than 20% down you also pay mortgage default insurance, which is added to the loan.
Sources
- Town of Georgina: 2026 final property tax brochure (rates and budget)
- Town of East Gwillimbury: Tax rates and assessments (2026)
- TRREB Market Watch, October 2026
- Ontario Ministry of Finance: Calculating land transfer tax
- Wikipedia: Georgina, Ontario (communities and 2021 census)
- CRA Notice 346: Ontario enhanced new housing rebate (August 2026)
- Tarion: update on the cooling-off period for new freehold homes
- Wikipedia: East Gwillimbury (2021 census, GO station, Highway 404, Greenbelt)
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.