Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
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Toronto’s cheapest houses are in Scarborough and north-west Toronto. From January to October 2026, the lowest median detached price was $866,500 in district E09 (Bendale, Morningside, Woburn), with E04 and W10 at $870,000. The lowest semi-detached median was $745,000, also in E09 (TRREB MLS data via REALM).
This guide is for buyers who want a house, not a condo, inside the City of Toronto and need to know where the lowest prices actually are. You will see which Toronto districts had the lowest median detached and semi-detached prices in 2026, what that means in cash, and how to check a cheap house before you fall for the price.
What is the cheapest house in Toronto right now?
I do not publish individual listings or sold prices, and a single cheapest house changes every week anyway. What I can show you is where houses consistently sell for the least. Using TRREB MLS data via REALM for January to October 2026, the lowest median detached price in Toronto was $866,500 in district E09 (Bendale, Morningside and Woburn in Scarborough). The lowest median semi-detached price was $745,000, also in E09.
A median is the middle sale. Half the houses in that district sold for less and half for more. So yes, some houses in these districts sold below the median, often because they need work, sit on busy roads or have small lots.
Which Toronto districts have the cheapest detached houses?
TRREB splits Toronto into 35 districts with codes like W10, C01 and E09. In January to October 2026, nine of them had a median detached price under $1 million. Here are those nine, from lowest to highest.
| TRREB district | Communities included | Median detached, Jan–Oct 2026 | Same period 2025 | Change | Sales | Avg days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E09 | Bendale, Morningside, Woburn | $866,500 | $940,000 | −7.8% | 248 | 27 |
| E04 | Clairlea-Birchmount, Dorset Park, Ionview, Kennedy Park, Wexford-Maryvale | $870,000 | $955,000 | −8.9% | 307 | 24 |
| W10 | Elms-Old Rexdale, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Rexdale-Kipling, Thistletown-Beaumonde Heights, West Humber-Clairville | $870,000 | $950,000 | −8.4% | 206 | 32 |
| W03 | Caledonia-Fairbank, Corso Italia-Davenport, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Weston-Pellam Park | $882,500 | $942,500 | −6.4% | 190 | 29 |
| E11 | Malvern, Rouge (E11) | $910,000 | $1,057,500 | −13.9% | 119 | 29 |
| E08 | Cliffcrest, Eglinton East, Guildwood, Scarborough Village | $938,750 | $1,075,000 | −12.7% | 166 | 29 |
| E06 | Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Oakridge | $955,000 | $1,070,000 | −10.7% | 180 | 23 |
| W05 | Black Creek, Downsview-Roding-CFB, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Humber Summit, Humbermede, York University Heights and others | $971,250 | $1,050,000 | −7.5% | 170 | 34 |
| W04 | Mount Dennis, Weston, Maple Leaf, Rustic, Brookhaven-Amesbury, Yorkdale-Glen Park and others | $995,000 | $1,071,240 | −7.1% | 234 | 29 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (median sold price, average days on market). District community lists from TRREB Community Housing Market Reports, Q2 2026.
For contrast, the median detached house in district C09 (Rosedale and Moore Park) sold for $3,627,500 over the same months. That is more than four times the E09 median.
Where can you buy a semi-detached house in Toronto for under $800,000?
Semis are often the cheapest way into a freehold house, meaning you own the land and pay no condo fee. In January to October 2026, three Toronto districts had a median semi-detached price under $800,000, and a fourth sat right at it.
| TRREB district | Median semi-detached, Jan–Oct 2026 | Same period 2025 | Change | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E09 | $745,000 | $810,505 | −8.1% | 15 |
| W10 | $768,500 | $852,500 | −9.9% | 22 |
| E04 | $772,500 | $815,750 | −5.3% | 40 |
| W09 | $790,000 | $887,500 | −11.0% | 11 |
| E11 | $820,000 | $865,000 | −5.2% | 33 |
| W05 | $835,000 | $907,500 | −8.0% | 185 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025.
Look at the sales column. E09 had only 15 semi sales in ten months and W09 had 11. With so few sales, one or two unusual homes can move the median a lot. W05 had 185 semi sales, so its $835,000 median is far more reliable. A median from a small sample is a starting point, not a price tag.
Are there any houses in Toronto under $750,000?
A few, but not as a typical price. No Toronto district had a median detached price under $850,000 in 2026. The freehold townhouse, a row house you own outright, is the lowest-priced house type. Toronto E11 (Malvern and Rouge) had a median freehold townhouse price of $700,000 from January to October 2026, across 32 sales, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. W10’s median was $725,000, but on only three sales.
If your budget is under $750,000, you are mostly looking at townhouses in the east and north-west, semis that need work, or condo townhouses with a monthly fee. My comparison of condo vs townhouse vs semi-detached in Toronto walks through those trade-offs.
Free tool — what can you actually afford?
How much do you need to buy the cheapest house in Toronto?
Here is the cash math on a house at the E09 median detached price of $866,500. All taxes are calculated from the official Ontario and Toronto rate tables.
| Cost on an $866,500 Toronto house | Amount |
|---|---|
| Minimum down payment (5% of $500,000 + 10% of $366,500) | $61,650 |
| Ontario land transfer tax | $13,805 |
| Toronto municipal land transfer tax | $13,805 |
| Both land transfer taxes after maximum first-time buyer refunds ($4,000 + $4,475) | $19,135 |
| CMHC premium at 4.00% of the $804,850 loan (added to the mortgage) | $32,194 |
| Monthly payment on $837,044 at 4.44%, 25 years | $4,604.93 |
| Property tax estimate (2026 Toronto rate 0.767311% applied to price) | about $6,649 a year |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Finance and City of Toronto land transfer tax rate tables; CMHC premium schedule; Ratehub lowest insured five-year fixed rate, 2 November 2026; City of Toronto 2026 tax rates. Your actual tax is based on MPAC assessment, not price.
So the cheapest typical detached house in Toronto still needs about $81,000 in cash for the down payment and land transfer taxes alone, even for a first-time buyer, before legal fees and moving. Ask your lawyer for a full closing estimate early, including any tax payable on the mortgage insurance premium. To see what income that payment needs, read how much income you need to buy in the GTA.
Is it cheaper to buy a house just outside Toronto?
Sometimes, but less than many people expect. Brampton’s median detached price was $950,000 from January to October 2026 and Mississauga’s was $1,225,000. That means the lowest Toronto districts were cheaper than Brampton’s middle. Further out, medians drop more: Oshawa $730,000, Hamilton $736,750 and Clarington $820,000, all TRREB MLS data via REALM for the same period.
There is also a tax point. Outside Toronto you pay only the Ontario land transfer tax, not the municipal one. On an $866,500 house, that saves $13,805 before rebates. Weigh that against commute time and cost. For a city-by-city view, see the most affordable places to buy a first home in the GTA.
Why are some Toronto houses so much cheaper than others?
Within one district, the lowest prices usually come down to the house, not the area. The common reasons I see:
- Condition. Original kitchens, old wiring, an aging roof or a wet basement.
- Location on the street. Backing onto a busy road, a rail line or commercial lots.
- Lot and layout. Narrow lots, no parking, or an awkward floor plan.
- Legal issues. An unpermitted basement unit, open permits, or a tenant who is staying.
- Estate and power of sale listings. Often sold as-is with little seller disclosure.
Also note W03. Its median semi price ($948,400) was higher than its median detached price ($882,500). Older, smaller detached homes on narrow lots can sell for less than a renovated semi next door.
A low price can hide a big repair bill. On older Toronto houses, ask about knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized or lead water pipes, the sewer line to the street and past basement water. A general home inspection does not cover everything, so read what a home inspection does not cover in Ontario and budget for a sewer camera scope. Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy pays up to $6,650 per property for approved flood-protection work done on or after 12 November 2025.
Will Toronto house prices keep falling in 2027?
I cannot promise either way, and nobody honest can. What the data shows is that detached medians in the lowest-priced districts fell 6% to 14% from 2025 to 2026, and E11 dropped the most at −13.9%. The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, and said another increase could be needed. TRREB described September 2026 buyers as being in a holding pattern. Higher rates usually slow sales and give buyers more room to negotiate.
The cheapest districts in Toronto right now are in Scarborough and north-west Toronto, and in 2026 they gave buyers more negotiating room than they have had in years. I would not chase the absolute lowest price. I would look for the best house on a quiet street in E04, E09, W10 or W05, priced near the district median, with the big systems already updated. That is usually a better long-term buy than the cheapest listing with a $100,000 to-do list. If you want help comparing districts, my notes on choosing an agent in Scarborough cover what to ask.
What to do next
- Get a pre-approval and confirm your maximum price before you browse.
- Pick two or three districts from the tables above and track recent sales with your agent.
- Set aside about 10% of the price for down payment and land transfer taxes, plus legal fees and moving.
- Book a full inspection and a sewer scope on any older house you are serious about.
- Compare the true cost with a house just outside Toronto, including commute and the municipal land transfer tax you would save.
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
What is the cheapest house in Toronto?
The lowest median detached price in Toronto in 2026 was $866,500, in TRREB district E09 (Bendale, Morningside and Woburn in Scarborough), based on TRREB MLS data via REALM for January to October 2026. The lowest median semi-detached price was $745,000, also in E09. Individual houses do sell below the median, usually because they need work or have a drawback.
Where is the cheapest place to buy a house in Toronto?
Scarborough and north-west Toronto had the lowest house prices in Toronto in 2026. Districts E09, E04 and W10 had median detached prices between $866,500 and $870,000 from January to October 2026, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. W03 followed at $882,500. Nine of Toronto’s 35 TRREB districts had a median detached price under $1 million.
Can you buy a house in Toronto for under $800,000?
Yes, but mostly semi-detached houses and townhouses, not detached ones. From January to October 2026, median semi prices were $745,000 in E09, $768,500 in W10 and $772,500 in E04, and the median freehold townhouse in E11 was $700,000 (TRREB MLS data via REALM). No Toronto district had a median detached price under $850,000.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Toronto?
On an $866,500 Toronto house, the 2026 E09 median detached price, the minimum down payment is $61,650: 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest. Homes at $1.5 million or more need 20% down. With less than 20% down you also pay a CMHC premium, which is added to the mortgage.
Are house prices in Toronto going down in 2026?
Yes, Toronto house prices were lower in 2026 than in 2025 in most districts. In the nine districts with the lowest detached medians, the January to October 2026 median fell between 6.4% and 13.9% from the same period of 2025, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. TRREB’s September 2026 average GTA price was $1,006,409, down about 5% year over year.
Is it cheaper to buy a house in Brampton or Scarborough?
In 2026, the cheapest Scarborough districts were cheaper than Brampton overall. Brampton’s median detached price was $950,000 from January to October 2026, while Scarborough districts E09 and E04 had medians of $866,500 and $870,000 (TRREB MLS data via REALM). Toronto buyers also pay the municipal land transfer tax, which Brampton buyers do not.
How much is land transfer tax on a cheap house in Toronto?
On an $866,500 house in Toronto, you pay $13,805 in Ontario land transfer tax and $13,805 in Toronto municipal land transfer tax, for $27,610 in total in 2026. Eligible first-time buyers can get up to $4,000 back from Ontario and up to $4,475 from Toronto, bringing the total down to $19,135.
What is the cheapest type of house to buy in Toronto?
The freehold townhouse was the lowest-priced type of house in Toronto in 2026. Its median was $700,000 in district E11 (Malvern and Rouge) from January to October 2026, based on 32 sales in TRREB MLS data via REALM. Semi-detached houses came next, with medians from $745,000 in the lowest-priced districts.
Why are houses in some Toronto districts so cheap?
Prices differ between Toronto districts because of location, lot sizes and the type of housing, and within a district a cheap house usually has a specific drawback. Common reasons include needed repairs, a busy road or rail line behind the lot, a narrow lot, no parking, or legal issues such as an unpermitted basement unit. Always inspect before you commit.
Sources
- TRREB Community Housing Market Report, Toronto East, Q2 2026
- TRREB Community Housing Market Report, Toronto West, Q2 2026
- TRREB Market Watch, September 2026
- Ontario Ministry of Finance: Calculating land transfer tax
- City of Toronto: Municipal land transfer tax rates and fees
- City of Toronto: MLTT rebate opportunities
- City of Toronto: Property tax rates and fees
- Ratehub: Best 5-year fixed mortgage rates
Related reading
- GTA Housing Market Forecast 2027: City-by-City Numbers
- Mississauga Housing Market 2027: Prices, Sales and What to Expect
- Brampton Housing Market 2027: Prices, Sales and What to Expect
- Markham and Richmond Hill Housing Market 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.