Moving to Markham: The Complete Guide (2026)

Already in the GTA and thinking about Markham? This guide covers what you actually need to know about the neighbourhoods, housing costs, schools, commute times, property taxes and what daily life feels like on the ground.

Markham is the largest city in York Region and one of the fastest growing municipalities in Ontario. With over 350,000 residents, a tech-driven economy, top-ranked schools and direct access to Highway 404, Highway 407 and the TTC, it has become one of the most popular destinations for GTA buyers looking to move north without leaving the urban orbit.

But Markham is not one thing. It is a city with distinct pockets that feel very different from one another. A family upsizing from a Toronto semi will have a completely different experience depending on whether they end up in Unionville, Cornell or Milliken. The schools change. The commute changes. The property tax rate stays the same, but the house prices shift considerably.

This guide is written for people who already live in the GTA and are seriously evaluating Markham. It covers the practical details that shape your decision and a not tourism brochure content.

Table of Contents

• Why GTA Buyers Are Moving to Markham
• Markham Neighbourhoods: Where to Live
• Housing Market and Average Home Prices
• Property Taxes in Markham
• Schools and Education
• Commuting and Transit
• Lifestyle, Dining and Things to Do
• Cost of Living Compared to Toronto
• Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Markham
• Work With a Local Expert

Why GTA Buyers Are Moving to Markham

The short answer is value relative to location. Markham gives you access to York Region schools, a major tech employment corridor, and highway infrastructure that gets you to downtown Toronto in roughly 40 minutes outside rush hour -- all at a price point that, for detached homes especially, remains more accessible than comparable areas in Toronto proper.

The longer answer involves a few things working together. Markham's economy is not bedroom-community dependent. It has one of the largest tech clusters in Canada, anchored by companies like AMD, IBM, Huawei Canada, Lenovo and a growing number of startups along the Highway 7 corridor. That means a significant portion of residents both live and work in Markham, which changes the commute calculus and supports property values long term.

Safety is another draw. Markham consistently reports some of the lowest crime rates in the GTA, which matters to families and is a factor that supports property values over time.

The cultural infrastructure is also more developed than people expect. Unionville Main Street, the Markham Museum, Flato Markham Theatre and the food scene along Highway 7 give the city a distinct identity that most suburbs lack. You are not just buying a house. You are moving into a community that has something going on.

Markham Neighbourhoods: Where to Live

Markham has over a dozen distinct neighbourhoods, each with a different character, price range and housing mix. Here are the ones that matter most for GTA buyers.

Unionville

Unionville is Markham's flagship neighbourhood. Main Street Unionville is one of the most charming historic districts in the GTA, lined with independent shops, restaurants and seasonal festivals. Housing is primarily detached, with prices ranging from the mid $1.3 million range to well over $2 million for larger lots. The area is served by highly ranked schools in both the public and Catholic boards. This is where buyers go when they want an established, walkable neighbourhood with character.

Cornell

Cornell is a master-planned community in east Markham built primarily in the 2000s and 2010s. It is one of the most popular choices for young families because of the newer housing stock, well-maintained streetscapes and strong school options. You will find a mix of detached, semi-detached and townhouse options here, generally ranging from the high $800,000s to $1.5 million depending on size and lot. The trade-off is that Cornell is further from the Highway 404 corridor, so commuters heading south should factor that into drive times.

Berczy Village

Berczy Village sits between Unionville and Cornell and offers a similar family-oriented feel with a slightly newer build profile. Detached homes here tend to range from $1.2 million to $1.8 million. The community has good access to both Highway 407 and Major Mackenzie Drive, and it feeds into well-regarded schools. This is a neighbourhood that flies under the radar for many GTA buyers but delivers strong value.

Downtown Markham

Downtown Markham is the city's newest urban centre, a master-planned district along Highway 7 and Enterprise Boulevard anchored by high-rise condos, retail, restaurants and office space. This is where the condo market is most active. One and two bedroom units range from the mid $400,000s to $750,000, while larger units and townhouse condos in the surrounding blocks can push past $900,000. If you want an urban lifestyle without living in Toronto, this is the Markham equivalent.

Markham Village

Markham Village is one of the city's original settlement areas, centred on Main Street Markham between Highway 7 and 16th Avenue. It has an eclectic mix of older bungalows, renovated detached homes and newer infill development. Prices vary widely here, from under $1 million for a fixer on a smaller lot to $1.5 million or more for a fully updated home. The charm is in the walkability and the heritage character, but buyers should be prepared for older building systems and potentially higher maintenance costs.

Wismer and Box Grove

These two communities in northeast Markham share a similar profile: newer builds, family-oriented layouts, good schools and a suburban feel. Wismer tends to attract buyers looking for detached homes in the $1.3 to $1.7 million range, while Box Grove has more townhouse and stacked townhouse inventory in the $700,000 to $1.1 million range. Both are strong picks for families who prioritize newer construction and school catchment areas.

Milliken

Milliken sits in southwest Markham, bordering Scarborough. It is one of the more affordable entry points into Markham, with detached homes starting in the high $900,000s and townhouses from the $600,000s. The Milliken GO station is a significant transit advantage, and the area has excellent access to Highway 404 and Steeles Avenue. The housing stock is older, which means lower purchase prices but potentially higher renovation and maintenance costs. Milliken is also one of the most culturally diverse pockets of the city, with a food scene that reflects that.

Housing Market and Average Home Prices

Markham offers a full spectrum of housing types, which is part of what makes it attractive to GTA buyers at different life stages and budgets. Here is a snapshot of where prices currently sit, based on TRREB Market Watch data from February 2026.

Source: TRREB Market Watch, February 2026. Markham municipal data.

These numbers shift significantly depending on the neighbourhood. A detached home on a 40-foot lot in Milliken is a different product than a detached home on a 50-foot lot in Unionville, even though both carry the Markham address. Location within the city matters as much as the property type.

For context, the City of Toronto averaged $1,019,144 across all home types in the same period, with a median of $819,000. Markham's higher median ($1,052,500 versus $819,000) reflects the city's heavier weighting toward ground-level housing rather than the condo-heavy mix that pulls Toronto's median lower.

Compared to neighbouring York Region cities, Markham sits between Richmond Hill (average $1,166,816) and the broader York Region average ($1,133,471). For GTA buyers, the value calculation usually comes down to what you can get for your dollar versus the commute time you are willing to absorb.

Property Taxes in Markham

Property taxes in Markham are calculated based on the assessed value of your property, set by MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation), multiplied by the combined municipal and education tax rate. Markham's residential tax rate has historically been competitive within York Region.

As a rough guide, a home assessed at $1,000,000 in Markham will typically carry an annual property tax bill in the range of $7,000 to $8,500 depending on the specific rate for the year. This is broadly comparable to Richmond Hill, slightly lower than Vaughan and meaningfully lower than the City of Toronto rate on an equivalent assessed value.

One detail worth knowing: MPAC assessments do not always reflect current market value, especially in a market that has moved significantly in either direction. Your tax bill is based on assessed value, not what your home would sell for today. The next province-wide reassessment will reset that baseline, which can cause tax bills to shift in ways that feel disconnected from the market.

Schools and Education

Schools are a primary reason families move to Markham. The city is served by the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) and the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB), both of which consistently rank among the top-performing boards in Ontario.

Several Markham schools regularly place in the top ten percent of Ontario elementary and secondary school rankings. Unionville, Berczy Village and Wismer are particularly popular among families specifically because of their school catchment areas. Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School, Unionville High School, Markville Secondary School and Bill Crothers Secondary School (a specialized athletics program) are frequently cited as top choices.

French Immersion is available through YRDSB starting in Grade 1 at select schools. Demand for French Immersion spots in Markham is high, so families who want this option should confirm availability in their target neighbourhood before purchasing.

Private school options within or near Markham include Markham District Christian School, Town Centre Private Schools and several Montessori programs. For families moving from Toronto who currently use private schools, the switch to Markham's top public schools can represent a meaningful cost savings without a drop in quality.

Commuting and Transit

If you are moving to Markham from elsewhere in the GTA, the commute is the first thing to pressure-test. The experience varies significantly depending on where in Markham you live and where you are commuting to.

By car: Highway 404 is the main north-south artery connecting Markham to Toronto. In off-peak traffic, a drive from central Markham to downtown Toronto takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes. In peak morning traffic heading south, expect 50 to 75 minutes. Highway 407 (toll road) runs east-west across the city and provides a faster alternative for trips to Vaughan, Mississauga or Brampton.

By GO Transit: Markham has two GO train stations: Markham GO (on the Stouffville line) and Milliken GO (also Stouffville line). The ride to Union Station takes approximately 45 to 55 minutes. Service frequency has improved significantly in recent years, with trains running every 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours. For buyers working downtown, the Stouffville GO line is a realistic daily commuter option.

By TTC: The TTC's Line 4 (Sheppard) terminates at Don Mills station, which connects to York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) buses serving Markham. The planned Yonge North Subway Extension will bring subway service closer to western Markham and improve connectivity to the Yonge-University line, though construction timelines should be verified for current status.

Local transit: YRT/Viva operates across Markham with dedicated bus rapid transit lanes along Highway 7. The Viva Purple and Viva Blue routes connect Markham's main corridors. Local transit works well for trips within the city, especially along the Highway 7 strip, but most residents still rely on a car for day-to-day errands.

Lifestyle, Dining and Things to Do

One of the biggest misconceptions about Markham is that it is a generic suburb with nothing going on. That has not been true for years.

Food: Markham has arguably the best and most diverse food scene in York Region. The Highway 7 corridor between Warden and McCowan is densely packed with Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Indian and Japanese restaurants that draw diners from across the GTA. First Markham Place, Markville Mall's food court and the restaurants along Main Street Unionville offer everything from dim sum to farm-to-table dining. If food matters to you, Markham competes with any neighbourhood in Toronto.

Shopping: Markville Mall and CF Markville are the main retail anchors. Downtown Markham adds a more urban retail and dining strip along Enterprise Boulevard. Pacific Mall, one of the largest indoor Asian malls in North America, is another draw. For day-to-day needs, Markham has full coverage of grocery chains including T&T Supermarket, Whole Foods, Costco and multiple Asian grocery options.

Outdoors: Markham has an extensive trail network, including the Rouge National Urban Park along its eastern border. Milne Dam Conservation Park, Toogood Pond and the Bob Hunter Memorial Park provide green space for walking, cycling and family outings. The city maintains over 900 hectares of parkland, which is more than most GTA buyers expect.

Arts and culture: The Flato Markham Theatre hosts live performances year-round. The Varley Art Gallery in Unionville showcases Canadian art. Seasonal events like the Unionville Festival, the Markham Fair (one of the oldest county fairs in Ontario) and the Night It Up! Asian night market bring the community together regularly.

Recreation: The city operates several community centres with pools, arenas, fitness facilities and programming for all ages. The Angus Glen Golf Club and Station Creek Golf Club are local options for golfers. Youth sports leagues, including hockey, soccer, baseball and basketball, are well-organized and widely available across the city.

Cost of Living Compared to Toronto

For GTA buyers, the relevant comparison is usually Markham versus staying in Toronto or versus other York Region cities. Here is how it breaks down on the major categories.

Housing: The single biggest difference. As outlined above, Markham typically offers 15 to 25 percent more home for the same budget compared to equivalent Toronto neighbourhoods. The savings are most pronounced in the detached and semi-detached categories.

Property taxes: Slightly lower than Toronto in many cases, though this depends on assessed values. A home assessed at $1 million in Markham will generally carry a similar or slightly lower annual tax bill compared to the same assessment in Toronto.

Childcare: Rates are broadly similar to other GTA municipalities. Expect $1,200 to $1,800 per month for full-time infant or toddler care, and $900 to $1,400 for preschool-age programs. Availability varies by neighbourhood, so this is worth researching before you move.

Groceries and dining: Roughly equivalent to Toronto. Markham has the advantage of significantly cheaper dining options along the Highway 7 corridor, particularly for Asian cuisine, where the quality-to-price ratio is hard to beat anywhere in the GTA.

Transportation: If you are giving up TTC access and taking on a second car, that is a meaningful cost addition like insurance, gas, maintenance and a Highway 407 transponder if you use the toll highway. Budget $500 to $800 per month for a second vehicle all-in. If you can commute by GO Transit and keep the household to one car, the math works differently.

Utilities: Markham homes, especially newer builds, tend to have slightly higher utility costs than Toronto condos but lower than comparable detached homes in Toronto. Gas heating is standard. Water and waste are billed by the city. Expect $350 to $500 per month for a detached home covering hydro, gas, water and internet.

Note: Home prices, tax rates and transit details cited in this article reflect general market conditions in the Markham area as of early 2026. Values vary based on property type, neighbourhood, and market conditions at the time of purchase. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional for advice specific to your situation.