Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Ajax is cheaper: the median detached home sold for $925,000 in January–October 2026, against $1,039,999 in Pickering. Both are on the Lakeshore East GO line and share the same Durham school boards. Pickering has a slightly lower 2026 tax rate, more condo choice and Highway 407 access.
This guide is for buyers comparing Pickering and Ajax for a 2027 move, often people leaving Toronto for more space in Durham Region. You will get 2026 median prices by home type, how fast homes sold, the GO train, tax and school facts I confirmed from official sources, and a straight answer on who each one suits.
Is Ajax cheaper than Pickering?
Yes, a little. From January to October 2026, the median detached home sold for $925,000 in Ajax and $1,039,999 in Pickering, a gap of about $115,000. The median is the middle sale: half sold for more, half for less.
For smaller homes the two towns are close. Freehold townhouses (owned outright, with no condo corporation) had a median of $750,000 in Ajax and $789,000 in Pickering. Semis were $810,000 and $826,499. Condo apartments were $437,500 in Ajax and $470,000 in Pickering.
| Home type | Pickering median | Pickering sales | Ajax median | Ajax sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,039,999 (−8.0%) | 546 (−0.2%) | $925,000 (−4.2%) | 561 (−8.8%) |
| Semi-detached | $826,499 (−3.4%) | 68 (−16.0%) | $810,000 (−3.4%) | 53 (−36.9%) |
| Freehold townhouse | $789,000 (−7.2%) | 155 (+6.9%) | $750,000 (−7.2%) | 136 (−20.9%) |
| Condo apartment | $470,000 (−13.6%) | 117 (−28.7%) | $437,500 (−14.0%) | 52 (0.0%) |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Brackets show the change from 2025. Figures are town-wide medians.
Pickering’s detached median fell more (−8.0%) than Ajax’s (−4.2%), so the gap narrowed from 2025. Condo apartments dropped about 14% in both. Looking back two years, the drop is bigger. In January–October 2024, the detached median was $1,190,000 in Pickering and $1,050,000 in Ajax. That means detached prices are now about 13% lower in Pickering and 12% lower in Ajax than they were in 2024. For buyers, that is room to negotiate. For sellers who bought at the peak, it is a reason to price carefully. For deeper numbers, see my guide on what a house is worth in Pickering or Ajax.
How fast are homes selling in Pickering and Ajax?
Both markets moved quicker than most of the GTA in 2026. “Days on market” is the average time from listing to firm sale.
| Side by side | Pickering | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| Average days on market, detached | 26 (23 in 2025) | 23 (22 in 2025) |
| Average days on market, semi | 19 | 22 |
| Average days on market, freehold town | 27 | 27 |
| Average days on market, condo apartment | 33 | 38 |
| GO train | Pickering GO, Lakeshore East line | Ajax GO, Lakeshore East line |
| GO station parking (listed spaces) | About 2,758 (main lot, parking structure, north lot) | About 3,050 across three lots |
| Main highways | Highway 401 in the south; Highway 407 across the middle-north | Highway 401 through the middle of town |
| 2026 residential property tax rate (total) | 1.337288% | 1.388664% |
| English public school boards | Durham District School Board; Durham Catholic District School Board | Durham District School Board; Durham Catholic District School Board |
| Population (2021 Census) | 99,186 | 126,666 |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026; GO Transit station pages; City of Pickering 2026 tax rates; Town of Ajax 2026 final tax rates; Statistics Canada 2021 Census as reported for each municipality.
Detached homes in Ajax sold in 23 days on average. That is fast for this market. Sales volumes were almost equal for detached homes, but Pickering had more than twice as many condo apartment sales (117 vs 52), so condo buyers will find more choice there.
Which has the better commute to Toronto, Pickering or Ajax?
For the train, it is close to a tie. Both towns sit on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs every day of the year between Oshawa and Union Station. Metrolinx calls it the network’s second-busiest GO rail line. Pickering is one stop closer to Toronto than Ajax, so the ride to Union is a little shorter. I have not quoted times because they change with each schedule update; check the current GO timetable for your exact train.
Pickering GO, at 1322 Bayly Street, is linked by an enclosed pedestrian bridge over Highway 401 to the city centre. Ajax GO is at 100 Westney Road South and lists the larger parking supply of the two.
By car, both use Highway 401. Pickering also has Highway 407 running through its middle-north, which helps if you work in York Region or the north end of Toronto. Remember that the 407 is a toll road.
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Are property taxes higher in Pickering or Ajax?
Ajax’s 2026 rate is slightly higher. The total residential rate is 1.388664% in Ajax and 1.337288% in Pickering. Both include the local, Durham Region and education portions. The Region’s share is the same in both, so the difference comes from the local town or city rate.
On a home assessed at $500,000 by MPAC (Ontario’s property assessment agency), the 2026 bill would be about $6,943 in Ajax and $6,686 in Pickering, roughly $257 apart. Durham rates are higher than the 2026 rates in Toronto or Oakville, but assessments are often lower, so always look at the actual tax bill on the home you want.
Do not compare a Durham tax rate directly with a Toronto rate. Toronto’s 2026 rate is 0.767311%, but a similar home there is usually assessed higher. Ask the listing agent for the latest tax bill, and budget from the dollar figure, not the percentage.
Can you afford a detached home in Pickering or Ajax in 2027?
The minimum down payment in Canada is 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the part from $500,000 up to $1.5 million. At Ajax’s $925,000 detached median, that is about $67,500. At Pickering’s $1,039,999 median, it is about $79,000. Mortgage default insurance premiums are added on top when you put down less than 20%.
Because both towns are outside Toronto, buyers pay only the Ontario land transfer tax, not Toronto’s municipal one. First-time buyers can get an Ontario refund of up to $4,000.
Rates 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. Stress-test your budget at a higher rate. My first-time buyer guide to Durham Region covers the programs and costs.
What are the schools like in Pickering and Ajax?
Both are served by the same English public boards: the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. French-language boards also operate in Pickering. Ajax has five high schools, three public and two Catholic.
Because the boards are the same, focus on the school a specific address is zoned for. Use the board’s school locator before you make an offer. For individual schools, see my list of top schools in Pickering, Ajax and Whitby.
What is it like to live in Pickering vs Ajax?
Pickering
Pickering had about 99,000 people in 2021, up 8.1% from 2016. Its south end has Frenchman’s Bay and the Nautical Village, and a dragon boat festival is held on the bay. North Pickering is changing. Seaton is a large planned community; as of 2022, about 1,549 of a planned 20,989 units had been built. In January 2025 the federal government cancelled the long-planned Pickering airport and began moving most of those lands into Rouge National Urban Park. Read more about Frenchman’s Bay homes and condos.
Ajax
Ajax is larger, with about 127,000 people, and Highway 401 cuts it in half. Its lakeshore is a big draw. In 1995 Ajax became the first community on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail to build a pedestrian-only paved trail, now called the William Parish Waterfront Trail. The historic Pickering Village area is actually inside Ajax. See my guide to the Ajax and Whitby waterfront.
For most buyers this is a price decision, not a lifestyle one. The commute, school boards and taxes are close. If the $115,000 detached gap matters, Ajax gives you more house for the money. If you want more condo choice, quick 407 access or a stake in Seaton’s growth, Pickering is worth the extra. In my view, homes in both are selling quickly enough that a well-priced listing will not sit long, even with rates rising.
Who should pick Pickering?
- Commuters who want to be one GO stop closer to Toronto.
- People who drive to York Region or north Toronto and value Highway 407 access.
- Condo buyers: Pickering had 117 condo apartment sales against 52 in Ajax.
- Buyers interested in new construction in Seaton or living near Frenchman’s Bay and Rouge National Urban Park.
Who should pick Ajax?
- Buyers who want a detached home closer to $900,000 than $1 million.
- First-time buyers looking for the lowest entry point: Ajax’s condo median was $437,500.
- Families who want a lakeshore trail and a busy GO station with a large parking supply.
- Owners moving within Durham who want quick-selling stock if they resell later.
What to do next
- Get a written pre-approval and test your payment at a higher rate than today’s.
- Ride Lakeshore East from both Pickering GO and Ajax GO at your real commute time.
- Check school zoning on the Durham board locators for each address you like.
- Ask for the latest property tax bill on every home you are serious about.
- If you own now, get an up-to-date value on your home before you set a budget. My guide on moving from Toronto to Durham Region explains the trade-offs.
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 Pickering better than Ajax?
Neither is better for everyone. Pickering costs more, with a median detached price of $1,039,999 in January–October 2026 against $925,000 in Ajax, but it is one GO stop closer to Toronto, has Highway 407 access and more condo choice. Ajax gives you more house for the money. Both share Durham’s school boards and the Lakeshore East line heading into 2027.
Is Ajax cheaper than Pickering in 2027?
Yes, based on 2026 data. TRREB MLS figures for January to October 2026 show Ajax medians of $925,000 for detached homes, $750,000 for freehold townhouses and $437,500 for condo apartments. Pickering’s were $1,039,999, $789,000 and $470,000. These are year-to-date medians, not forecasts, and prices in both fell from 2025.
Do Pickering and Ajax have the same GO train?
Yes. Pickering GO and Ajax GO are both on GO Transit’s Lakeshore East line, which runs every day between Oshawa and Union Station. Pickering is one stop closer to Toronto. As of November 2026, Metrolinx lists 15-minute service among its expansion goals for the line. Check the current timetable for exact travel times.
Which has higher property taxes, Pickering or Ajax?
Ajax is slightly higher. The 2026 total residential rate is 1.388664% in Ajax and 1.337288% in Pickering. On a home assessed at $500,000, that is about $6,943 in Ajax and $6,686 in Pickering for 2026. The Durham Region portion is the same in both; the difference is in the local rate.
How fast are houses selling in Ajax and Pickering?
Quickly by GTA standards. From January to October 2026, detached homes averaged 23 days on market in Ajax and 26 days in Pickering, according to TRREB MLS data via REALM. Condo apartments took longer, at 38 days in Ajax and 33 in Pickering. Both were slightly slower than in 2025.
What school boards serve Pickering and Ajax?
Both are served by the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board. French-language boards also operate in Pickering, and Ajax has five high schools, three public and two Catholic. Your child’s school depends on the exact address, so use the board’s school locator before buying in either in 2027.
How much down payment do I need for a house in Ajax?
At Ajax’s median detached price of $925,000 from January to October 2026, the minimum down payment is about $67,500. That is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $425,000. With less than 20% down you also pay a mortgage insurance premium, which is added to the loan.
Is there a municipal land transfer tax in Pickering or Ajax?
No. Toronto’s municipal land transfer tax applies only inside the City of Toronto, so buyers in Pickering and Ajax pay just the Ontario land transfer tax. First-time buyers may qualify for an Ontario refund of up to $4,000. This can save thousands compared with buying a similar home in Scarborough in 2027.
Sources
- City of Pickering 2026 Tax Rates
- Town of Ajax 2026 Final Tax Rates
- Metrolinx: Lakeshore East Line GO Expansion
- GO Transit: Pickering GO station details
- GO Transit: Ajax GO station details
- Pickering, Ontario (Wikipedia, citing Statistics Canada and CBC News)
- Ajax, Ontario (Wikipedia, citing Statistics Canada 2021 Census)
- Lakeshore East line (Wikipedia)
Related reading
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- 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.