Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Scarborough is much cheaper to buy. From January to October 2026 its detached homes averaged about $1.02 million across its eight TRREB districts, against about $1.55 million in Markham. But Markham has the lower 2026 tax rate (0.723% vs 0.767%) and no second land transfer tax. Scarborough has the subway and Line 5.
This guide is for buyers choosing between Markham and Scarborough in 2027, and for owners on one side of Steeles Avenue thinking about crossing it. You will get 2026 prices by home type, selling speed, the transit and tax facts I confirmed, the closing-cost difference, and a plain answer on who each one suits.
How do you compare Markham and Scarborough fairly?
Markham is its own city in York Region. Scarborough is the eastern part of the City of Toronto, and the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) splits it into eight districts, E04 to E11. I added those eight together:
- E04: Clairlea-Birchmount, Dorset Park, Ionview, Kennedy Park and Wexford-Maryvale.
- E05: L’Amoreaux, Steeles and Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan.
- E06: Birchcliffe-Cliffside and Oakridge.
- E07: Agincourt North, Agincourt South-Malvern West and Milliken.
- E08: Cliffcrest, Eglinton East, Guildwood and Scarborough Village.
- E09: Bendale, Morningside and Woburn.
- E10: Centennial Scarborough, Highland Creek, West Hill and part of Rouge.
- E11: Malvern and the rest of Rouge.
Medians cannot be added up, because a median is just the middle sale. So I compare average sold prices, with Scarborough’s weighted by each district’s sales. I list Markham’s median as well for reference.
Is Scarborough cheaper than Markham?
Yes, for every home type, and by a wide margin for houses.
| Jan–Oct 2026 | Markham average | Markham median | Scarborough average (E04–E11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,545,433 (−6.1%) | $1,420,000 | $1,022,406 (−8.4%) |
| Semi-detached | $1,036,768 (−10.6%) | $1,025,000 | $835,498 (−6.6%) |
| Freehold townhouse | $1,035,753 (−9.4%) | $999,990 | $798,600 (−9.2%) |
| Condo townhouse | $799,072 (−7.5%) | $750,000 | $626,268 (−7.1%) |
| Condo apartment | $614,507 (−10.5%) | $558,000 | $472,481 (−10.3%) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025 (change in average in brackets). Scarborough averages are weighted by each district’s sales.
The detached gap is about $523,000. For condo apartments it is about $142,000. Both places fell in 2026, by similar amounts. Since 2024, Markham’s detached median has dropped about 13.9%, from $1,650,000 to $1,420,000, and Scarborough’s combined detached average about 14.8%.
What does crossing Steeles Avenue cost?
Two Scarborough districts sit right below Markham along Steeles. E07 (Agincourt and Milliken) had a detached median of $1,003,000, and E05 (L’Amoreaux, Steeles and Tam O’Shanter) had $1,148,250. Markham’s median was $1,420,000. So a few blocks north can mean roughly $270,000 to $420,000 more at the middle of the market.
What about semis and townhouses?
If a detached house in Markham is out of reach, a townhouse there can cost about the same as a Scarborough detached home. Markham’s freehold townhouse median was $999,990, close to the E07 detached median of $1,003,000. Markham also had more freehold townhouses to choose from, with 391 sales against 149 across Scarborough. Semis were evenly matched in supply, with 151 sales in Markham and 168 in Scarborough, but Scarborough’s semis averaged about $200,000 less. So the real choice for many families is a Markham townhouse or a Scarborough house with a yard.
Inside Scarborough, detached medians ran from $866,500 in E09 to $1,148,250 in E05. Condo apartment medians ran from $380,000 in E10 to $569,500 in E06, the Birch Cliff area.
Which sells faster, Markham or Scarborough?
| Jan–Oct 2026 | Markham | Scarborough (E04–E11) |
|---|---|---|
| Detached sales | 1,113 (+10.6%) | 1,598 (−8.0%) |
| Detached days on market | 29 | 26 |
| Condo apartment sales | 582 (−0.2%) | 916 (−5.8%) |
| Condo apartment days on market | 39 | 39 |
| 2026 residential tax rate | 0.722889% | 0.767311% |
| Land transfer tax | Ontario only | Ontario plus Toronto |
| English school boards | York Region public and Catholic boards | Toronto public and Catholic boards |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs 2025; City of Markham and City of Toronto 2026 tax rates.
Detached homes moved a little faster in Scarborough, and condo apartments took the same 39 days in both. Markham was one of the few places where detached sales rose in 2026, up 10.6%, even as prices fell.
Which has lower property tax and closing costs?
Markham wins on both, which surprises many buyers.
- Yearly tax: Markham’s 2026 total residential rate is 0.722889%, including York Region and education. Toronto’s is 0.767311%. On a home assessed at $800,000 by MPAC, that is about $5,783 in Markham and $6,138 in Scarborough.
- Land transfer tax: Scarborough buyers pay the Ontario tax and Toronto’s municipal tax. On a $1,003,000 home (the E07 detached median), each is $16,535, so $33,070 in total. A Markham buyer at the $1,420,000 median pays only the Ontario tax, about $24,875, even on a far more expensive home.
First-time buyers can get up to $4,000 back on the Ontario tax, and Toronto has its own first-time rebate. My guide to Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax explains how it works.
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How much down payment do you need in Markham vs Scarborough?
Canada’s minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the part from $500,000 to $1.5 million. At $1.5 million and above it is 20%, and mortgage insurance is not available.
- Markham detached at the $1,420,000 median: at least $117,000.
- Scarborough detached at the E07 median of $1,003,000: at least $75,300.
- Markham condo apartment at $558,000: at least $30,800. Scarborough’s E07 condo median of $450,000 needs $22,500.
Many Markham houses sell above $1.5 million, where you need 20% down. Rates also went up in late 2026: the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, and big-bank prime rose to 4.70%. The next decision is 9 December 2026.
Which is better for commuting, Markham or Scarborough?
Scarborough has rapid transit; Markham has GO trains. They share one line, the GO Stouffville line, which runs from Union Station through Scarborough (Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken, which sits on the Toronto–Markham boundary) and on to Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy. Trains run hourly in both directions, seven days a week, between Union and Unionville or Mount Joy, with more at rush hour. Check GO’s current timetable for your trip.
Scarborough’s subway, LRT and Lakeshore East
Line 2 Bloor-Danforth has three Scarborough stations: Victoria Park, Warden and Kennedy. Line 5 Eglinton opened on 8 February 2026 and runs west from Kennedy. The old Line 3 Scarborough RT closed for good in 2023. The Scarborough Subway Extension, a 7.8 km extension of Line 2 to Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road with three new stations, has been under construction since 2021, with completion expected around 2030. Scarborough also has four Lakeshore East GO stations: Scarborough, Eglinton, Guildwood and Rouge Hill.
Driving
Markham drivers use Highway 404, which becomes the Don Valley Parkway, plus the 407 toll road. Scarborough is crossed by Highway 401. Test both at your real rush hour. For more on the north-south split, see my North York vs Scarborough comparison.
What is it like to live in Markham vs Scarborough?
Scarborough
Scarborough has more than 620,000 people and joined the City of Toronto in 1998. It has the Scarborough Bluffs, lakeshore cliffs about 14 km long and more than 60 metres high in places, and the Rouge Valley, part of Rouge National Urban Park, which Parks Canada calls one of the largest urban parks in North America. It is home to the University of Toronto Scarborough, Centennial College and Scarborough Town Centre. If you are looking at the lake, read buying a home on the Scarborough Bluffs first.
Markham
Markham is a large York Region city with older village centres, such as Unionville, and big newer subdivisions. In my experience, buyers who pick Markham are usually after a newer house and are willing to pay for it. My guide to the best neighbourhoods to live in Markham goes area by area.
If budget is your limit, Scarborough gets you a detached house for about half a million less than Markham on average, plus subway and LRT access. If you can afford Markham, its lower tax rate and single land transfer tax take some of the sting out of the higher price. In my view, families who want a newer house and plan to stay ten years or more often lean Markham, while first-time buyers and transit riders often do better in Scarborough. Run both the closing cost and the monthly cost before you decide.
Do not pay more for a Scarborough home because of the subway extension or a future GO station. Opening dates move. Price the home on today’s transit and recent sales nearby, and treat any future line as a bonus.
Who should pick Scarborough?
- Detached buyers on a tighter budget. Every Scarborough district had a detached median well under Markham’s.
- Subway, LRT and Lakeshore East riders who work downtown or along Eglinton.
- Condo buyers who want more listings, with 916 condo apartment sales in 2026.
- People who want the lake or the Rouge Valley nearby.
Who should pick Markham?
- Buyers who want newer homes and York Region schools.
- People who work in York Region or drive the 404 and 407 every day.
- Buyers who want lower ongoing and closing taxes: a lower rate and no Toronto land transfer tax.
- Stouffville line commuters who live near Unionville, Centennial, Markham or Mount Joy GO.
What to do next
- Pick your target districts or neighbourhoods, then compare their recent sales, not city-wide averages.
- Add up land transfer tax, yearly property tax and your mortgage for one real home on each side.
- Test your commute at rush hour by GO, subway or car.
- Check school boundaries with the York Region or Toronto boards.
- If you own now, get a value first. See what your Scarborough house is worth.
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 Markham better than Scarborough?
Neither is better for everyone in 2027. Scarborough was far cheaper from January to October 2026, with a detached average of about $1.02 million against about $1.55 million in Markham, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Markham has a lower 2026 tax rate and no Toronto land transfer tax. Scarborough has subway, LRT and more GO stations.
Is Scarborough cheaper than Markham in 2026?
Yes. From January to October 2026, Scarborough’s eight TRREB districts (E04 to E11) had a detached average of $1,022,406, against $1,545,433 in Markham, per TRREB MLS data via REALM. Condo apartments averaged $472,481 in Scarborough and $614,507 in Markham. Every Scarborough district’s detached median was below Markham’s $1,420,000.
Does Markham have lower property taxes than Scarborough?
Yes. Markham’s 2026 total residential tax rate is 0.722889%, and Toronto’s, which applies in Scarborough, is 0.767311%. On a home assessed at $800,000, that is about $5,783 a year in Markham and $6,138 in Scarborough. Your bill depends on your MPAC assessment, not your purchase price.
Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax in Markham?
No. Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax applies only inside the City of Toronto, which includes Scarborough. Markham buyers pay only the Ontario land transfer tax. On a $1,003,000 Scarborough home in 2026, the two taxes total $33,070 before rebates, while a $1,420,000 Markham home pays about $24,875.
Which TRREB districts are in Scarborough?
Scarborough is TRREB districts E04 to E11. They include Dorset Park and Wexford (E04), L’Amoreaux and Tam O’Shanter (E05), Birchcliffe-Cliffside (E06), Agincourt and Milliken (E07), Guildwood and Cliffcrest (E08), Bendale and Woburn (E09), Highland Creek and West Hill (E10), and Malvern and Rouge (E11).
Is there a GO train from Markham to Scarborough?
Yes. The GO Stouffville line runs through both, with stops at Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken on the Scarborough side and at Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy in Markham. Trains run hourly in both directions, seven days a week, between Union Station and Unionville or Mount Joy, with more trains at rush hour.
When will the Scarborough subway extension open?
Completion is expected around 2030, but there is no fixed opening date as of November 2026. The Scarborough Subway Extension will carry Line 2 about 7.8 km from Kennedy station to Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road, with three new stations. Construction began in 2021. Do not pay extra for a home based on an opening year.
How fast are houses selling in Markham?
Detached homes in Markham averaged 29 days on market from January to October 2026, per TRREB MLS data via REALM, up from 27 days in 2025 and 19 in 2024. Condo apartments averaged 39 days. In Scarborough’s districts, detached homes averaged about 26 days and condo apartments about 39 days.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Markham?
At Markham’s median detached price of $1,420,000 from January to October 2026, the minimum down payment is $117,000. That is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $920,000. Homes at $1.5 million or more need 20% down, and mortgage default insurance is not available at that price.
Sources
- City of Markham – About your tax bill (2026 tax rates)
- City of Toronto – Property tax rates and fees (2026)
- Ontario – Calculating land transfer tax
- City of Toronto – Municipal Land Transfer Tax rates and fees
- TRREB Community Housing Market Report, Toronto East, Q2 2026
- Scarborough, Toronto (Wikipedia: population, landmarks, transit)
- Stouffville line (Wikipedia: stations and service pattern)
- Parks Canada – Rouge National Urban Park
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.