Published 16 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
In August 2026, City of Toronto condo apartments averaged $651,648 and detached homes $1,525,749, a gap of roughly $874,000. A condo buys location and low maintenance; a house buys space, land and control. Many buyers close the gap by moving outward: detached homes averaged $1,010,663 in Whitby and $715,831 in Oshawa. Decide by comparing total monthly cost and commute, not sticker price.
The price gap in numbers
| August 2026 | Average price |
|---|---|
| City of Toronto condo apartment | $651,648 |
| City of Toronto semi-detached | $1,110,639 |
| City of Toronto detached | $1,525,749 |
| Whitby detached | $1,010,663 |
| Oshawa detached | $715,831 |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, August 2026.
Monthly cost, not sticker price
A condo adds fees but usually lower property tax and fewer repairs. A house has no fees but higher tax, insurance, utilities and maintenance you fund yourself. Compare both including a repair reserve.
What fits your budget?
Test both scenarios, with and without condo fees.
Free tool — what can you actually afford here?
How each type behaves on resale
- Condos: many similar units compete; building health and fees drive value. In August 2026 Toronto condos sold at 96% of asking after 39 days.
- Houses: land value and scarcity support price; Toronto detached sold at 97% of asking in 30 days.
Who each suits
| Condo suits | House suits |
|---|---|
| Downtown or transit-focused life | Families needing space and a yard |
| Low maintenance, lock and leave | People who want to renovate or add a suite |
| First purchase at lower entry price | Buyers with a larger down payment |
| Downsizers | Multi-generational households |
Where I fit
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I run the total monthly cost comparison for buyers across Toronto and the GTA, including the outward-move option, before we start touring.
The takeaway
In Toronto the condo-to-detached gap was about $874,000 in August 2026. Decide on total monthly cost, space needs, maintenance appetite and commute, and consider that moving outward often buys a house for close to a Toronto condo-plus budget.
Talk it through with me
Condo or house for your budget?
Tell me your budget, commute and household. I will show what each option gets you.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a condo or a house in Toronto?
It depends on budget, space needs, maintenance appetite and commute. Compare total monthly cost, not just purchase price.
How much more is a house than a condo in Toronto?
In August 2026 the average detached home was $1,525,749 versus $651,648 for a condo apartment.
Are condo fees worth it?
They cover building services and reserves. Compare fee per square foot and reserve fund health.
Can I get a house for the price of a Toronto condo?
Farther out, sometimes. Oshawa detached homes averaged $715,831 in August 2026.
Which holds value better?
Both depend on location and condition; houses carry land value while condos depend heavily on building health and supply.
Is a semi a good middle ground?
Often. Toronto semis averaged $1,110,639 in August 2026, between condo and detached pricing.
Sources
- TRREB Market Watch, August 2026 — district tables W06, W07 and W08 for all home types, detached and condo apartment, plus the MLS® HPI benchmark page. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) — public register of registrants, registration categories and disciplinary decisions. Accessed 16 September 2026.
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada — down payments and mortgage insurance — minimum down payment rules and insured mortgage limits. Accessed 16 September 2026.
Related reading
- Condo vs townhouse vs semi
- Moving to Toronto: where to live
- How much home can you afford?
- Moving to Durham Region
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, Etobicoke. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA, with deep local knowledge of the west end. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Every market figure here comes from TRREB’s published tables and every rule from RECO or Ontario legislation, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.