The Short Answer
Families move from Toronto to Markham for more space for the money, strong schools, large community centres and parks, and real savings at purchase. Markham has no municipal land transfer tax, which saves about $20,475 on a $1.2 million home compared with Toronto, and its 2026 residential tax rate is 0.722889%, versus Torontoās 0.767311%. The trade-offs are a longer commute for many downtown jobs and more driving day to day. The best way to decide is to test the commute and spend a weekend in the neighbourhoods on your list.
Comparing Toronto and Markham for your family? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Why Families Are Making the Move
For many Toronto families, the decision starts with a growing household: a second child, a home office, or parents moving in. A Toronto condo or semi that worked well for two can feel small for four or five. Markham offers more bedrooms, basements and backyards for the price, in communities designed around schools and parks. For many, it also means being closer to grandparents and extended family already living in York Region, which can make child care and busy weeks much easier.
Michael John Lau, a REALTORĀ® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most active real estate teams in Markham and York Region, works with many Toronto families who are comparing both sides of Steeles Avenue, and walks them through the full cost and lifestyle picture before they choose.
Questions About Moving to Markham?
Every familyās move from Toronto is a little different. Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885 and speak to a REALTORĀ® who works this market daily.
The Savings Start at Purchase
Purchase price | Ontario land transfer tax (both cities) | Extra Toronto municipal tax | Total in Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
$1,000,000 | $16,475 | $16,475 | $32,950 |
$1,200,000 | $20,475 | $20,475 | $40,950 |
$1,500,000 | $26,475 | $26,475 | $52,950 |
Figures are before first-time buyer refunds. Toronto is the only city in Ontario with its own municipal land transfer tax. On an ongoing basis, Markhamās 2026 residential tax rate of 0.722889% is also lower than Torontoās 0.767311%. Your actual tax bill depends on your homeās MPAC assessed value.
Neeraj Moolchandani on the Weekend Test
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTORĀ® at Kaizen Real Estate, suggests Toronto families spend a full Saturday in the Markham neighbourhoods on their shortlist: the morning at a park or community centre, lunch nearby, and an afternoon drive past schools.
Then he suggests one weekday rush-hour commute from the same area. Between the two, families get a real sense of daily life, which helps them choose with confidence rather than on paper alone.
More Space, Different Home Types
In September 2026, the average Markham home sold for $1,125,353, according to TRREB, and detached homes averaged $1,534,139. Families often find newer detached homes, semis and freehold townhouses with garages, basements and yards in communities such as Cornell, Wismer, Berczy and Boxgrove, while Unionville and Markham Village offer heritage charm and mature trees.
For a neighbourhood profile, see living in Boxgrove, and for home types, see which Markham property type is holding value best.
Schools That Families Talk About
Schools are one of the biggest reasons families choose Markham. In the Fraser Instituteās November 2025 ranking of 747 Ontario secondary schools, Markhamās St. Augustine Catholic High School tied for first and Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School ranked sixth. Markham is served by the York Region District School Board, the York Catholic District School Board and French-language boards.
Buying near a school does not promise a seat in a specific program, and boundaries can change, so confirm attendance areas for each address. For more, see the best schools in Markham.
Relocating From Toronto?
The Kaizen Real Estate Team helps families compare costs, commutes and neighbourhoods before they buy.
Parks, Community Centres and Everyday Life
- Large community centres such as Cornell, Aaniin, Angus Glen and the Markham Pan Am Centre offer pools, arenas, libraries and programs.
- Green space including Rouge National Urban Park, Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond.
- Main streets in Unionville and Markham Village for weekend walks, festivals and the Saturday farmersā market in season.
- A rich food scene, especially Asian cuisine, across plazas throughout the city.
Costs to Compare Side by Side
Cost | What to compare |
|---|---|
Purchase price | The same home type and size in each city |
Land transfer tax | Ontario only in Markham; Ontario plus municipal in Toronto |
Property tax | Actual tax bills for the homes you are considering |
Commuting | GO fares, Highway 407 tolls, parking and a possible second car |
Child care and activities | Waitlists and program fees in each area |
A family that saves on land transfer tax but adds a second car and daily tolls may find the monthly picture closer than expected. Putting every cost on one page makes the decision clearer.
The Commute: The Biggest Trade-Off
GO Transitās Stouffville line serves Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy stations with trains to Union Station. Viva rapid buses run along Highway 7, and drivers use Highway 404, Highway 407 (a toll road) and the Don Valley Parkway. Many families also find that one parent works from home part of the week, which makes a longer commute easier to manage.
Test your door-to-door trip at rush hour, both ways, before you buy. A home within walking distance of a GO station can make a big difference, and so can a home close to Highway 404 or 407 if you drive.
If You Are Selling in Toronto First
Most families need to sell in Toronto to buy in Markham. Price your Toronto home from recent sales in your building or on your street, and line up closing dates so you are not carrying two homes for long. A longer closing on your Toronto sale often gives you time to find the right Markham home. See selling and buying at the same time for a full timeline.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. The goal is to make sure you have all the information before you make the move.
Next Steps
- Markham neighbourhood guide: compare communities before you visit.
- Buying a home in Markham: how the Kaizen Real Estate Team helps relocating families.
- Mortgage calculator: compare payments in both cities.
Work With Michael John Lau in Markham
Michael John Lau helps Markham buyers and sellers turn market numbers into a clear plan for their own situation. That means looking past city-wide averages to recent sales on your street, explaining the reasoning behind every recommendation, and making sure you have the information you need to decide with confidence.
š Contact Michael John Lau, REALTORĀ®
š www.callmikelau.com
š” www.livinginmarkham.ca
š¢ www.kaizenrealestate.ca