Location and community are two of the most important factors when buying a house, influencing everything from lifestyle and convenience to housing prices and availability, school catchment areas, transit access, and more.
If you’re searching for the right community in the Greater Toronto Area, two options stand out: Markham and Vaughan.
There’s a lot to love about these two communities. Although they’re both right next door to Toronto, they’re so much more than your average suburb.
Above all else, Markham and Vaughan are great places to buy a house.
Despite their many similarities, Markham and Vaughan can differ quite significantly when it comes to real estate and your everyday lifestyle. You’ll want to know how the two cities compare before you start house hunting. And that’s exactly what we’ll go over in this blog post.
Breaking Down the Basics
Markham and Vaughan are two distinct, completely separate cities within York Region. If you’ve never lived in or visited either place, it can be hard to make heads or tails of the similarities and differences. Let’s start with the basics.
What is Markham Like?
Markham is a bustling, historic city in its own right. Home to about 375,000 residents (and growing fast), it’s one of Canada’s most diverse and culturally rich communities.
It’s also a corporate and economic powerhouse, with several domestic and international corporations headquartered here. In recent years, Markham has also had a tech boom, bringing in even more opportunities and investment.
What is Vaughan Like?
With a population of approximately 367,000, Vaughan is a fully fledged, self-sufficient mid-size city. Once Canada’s fastest-growing community, the local landscape is a unique mosaic of historic villages, modern suburban neighbourhoods, and metropolitan density.
Outside of its residential profile, Vaughan is also where you’ll find some of Ontario’s best entertainment and attractions, including the world-renowned Canada’s Wonderland amusement park.
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Two Neighbours, Two Lifestyles
Although they share a border, there’s a big difference between Markham and Vaughan in terms of location. Let’s compare these cities on the map.
- Markham is located immediately north of Toronto, to the east of Yonge Street.
- Vaughan is similarly nestled above the city, on the west side of Yonge Street.
So, what exactly is the major difference? Highway access.
Living in Markham means having Highway 404 at your fingertips. This is great if you’ll be frequently travelling to downtown, east Toronto (Scarborough), or north to Aurora or Newmarket.
Vaughan residents have access to Highway 400, which means easy trips to west Toronto, Midtown, Brampton, Mississauga, and Pearson International Airport.
This is where your personality, preferences, and lifestyle as a buyer matter.
Real Estate Differences in Markham and Vaughan
Next, let’s look at how Markham and Vaughan differ in terms of real estate. Beyond its location, you’ll also want to find a property that suits your lifestyle.
On paper, housing prices are higher on average in Markham compared to Vaughan. However, this doesn’t necessarily show the full picture. Both cities have a wide spectrum in terms of real estate prices. As a buyer, your objective is to find properties within your price range that align with your short and long term needs.
In terms of property types and functionality, both Markham and Vaughan have diverse housing stocks. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, growing family, or an empty nester approaching retirement, a local Realtor can match you with homes suited to you.
Vaughan also offers more options for high-density properties like condos and townhomes, specifically in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the city’s downtown core, which features a well-connected transit hub.
Searching for your perfect home in Markham or Vaughan? Read these blog posts to uncover more advice.
- Detached vs Semi-Detached Homes: Which Suits You Best?
- What to Know When Going From a Condo to a House
- Best Family Neighbourhoods in York Region
Which Has More Luxury Homes?
In terms of data, Markham is slightly more affluent in terms of average income and the cost of luxury real estate. However, both cities are fairly abundant with elite residents, high-end homes, and exclusive neighbourhoods. Ultimately, suitability comes down to the individual tastes of the buyer.
Find Your Home in Markham or Vaughan
Searching for a great place to live? The easiest way to find your perfect home and community is to partner with a York Region real estate agent who knows the area’s diverse neighbourhoods, like us, Naccarato Real Estate Group.
We know Markham and Vaughan’s homes, neighbourhoods, schools, and amenities inside and out. Whatever your ideal home looks like, we can help you find it. Get in touch with our team today.
Searching for a great York Region Realtor? Get in touch at christian@naccaratogroup.ca or call (647) 492-6508.
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