Is Markham a good place to live?For most families and professionals, yes. Markham offers established neighbourhoods, fast highway and GO train access, Rouge National Urban Park and a wide range of home types. The trade-offs are higher home prices, busy main roads and no subway line yet.
Most people researching a move to Markham ask the same question before they book a single viewing: what is it actually like to live here? Brochures only show the good parts. This guide gives you both sides.
Markham is the largest city in York Region, with about 338,500 residents in the 2021 census, and sits roughly 30 kilometres northeast of downtown Toronto. Michael John Lau and the Kaizen Real Estate Team, one of the most trusted teams serving Markham, help families relocate here every year. These are the pros and cons they walk clients through.
The pros of living in Markham
A city of very different neighbourhoods
Markham is not one place. It is a collection of communities, each with its own feel. Unionville and Markham Village have heritage main streets with shops and restaurants. Cornell is a planned community with front porches and rear lanes. Angus Glen is built around its golf courses. That range means you can match a neighbourhood to your lifestyle, not just your budget.
Nature close to home
Rouge National Urban Park runs along Markham's eastern side, with trails, creeks and farmland. Toogood Pond in Unionville and Milne Dam Conservation Park near Markham Village give residents green space within minutes of home.
Strong highway and transit links
Highways 404 and 407 cross the city, and Highway 7 connects most neighbourhoods. The GO Transit Stouffville line stops at Milliken, Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy stations, with trains to Union Station. Viva rapid buses run along Highway 7 through the city.
Jobs close by
Markham is often called Canada's high-tech capital. Many technology, finance and life sciences employers have offices along the Highway 404 and Highway 7 corridor, so a large share of residents can work close to home.
Food, shopping and everyday life
From Pacific Mall and CF Markville to the restaurants on Main Street Unionville, daily life here is convenient. Grocery choice is wide too. The guide to the best supermarkets in Markham covers the options by area.
Consistently ranked as a livable, safe city
Markham appears regularly on Canadian livability and safety lists. For the details, read why Markham keeps ranking as one of Canada's most livable cities.
The cons of living in Markham
Home prices are high
In August 2026, the average Markham home sold for about $1.2 million, and detached homes averaged about $1.61 million, based on TRREB data. That is well above the GTA average of $993,410. Condo apartments, at about $638,000, are the most common entry point.
Rush-hour traffic on main roads
Highway 7, Highway 404 and major north-south roads like Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road get busy at peak times. Before you buy, drive your commute at the hour you would actually travel.
No subway line yet
Markham relies on GO trains and buses rather than a subway. The planned Yonge North Subway Extension will mainly serve the Yonge Street corridor on the city's western edge, so most Markham neighbourhoods will still depend on GO and Viva.
Some areas are still being built
North and east Markham continue to grow. New communities bring newer homes, but also construction traffic and parks, shops and services that may take a few years to fill in.
Carrying costs add up
Property tax, utilities and home insurance all add to the monthly cost of owning here. Insurance in particular has risen, as explained in why Markham home insurance just jumped. The City of Markham sets property tax rates each year.
Markham pros and cons at a glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Distinct neighbourhoods, from heritage villages to new planned communities | Average home prices well above the GTA average |
| Rouge National Urban Park and many local parks | Busy main roads and highways at rush hour |
| Highways 404 and 407, GO Stouffville line and Viva buses | No subway line serving most of the city |
| Large local job base in tech and professional services | Ongoing construction in growing areas |
| Wide choice of shopping, food and services | Rising carrying costs, including insurance |
What does it cost to live in Markham?
Your biggest cost will be your home. Here is what each home type sold for on average in Markham in August 2026.
| Home type | Average sold price, August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Detached | About $1.61 million |
| Semi-detached | About $958,000 |
| Condo townhouse | About $813,000 |
| Condo apartment | About $638,000 |
Source: TRREB MLS® data for Markham, August 2026. See the Markham real estate market update for the full breakdown.
Which Markham neighbourhood fits you?
| If you want | Start by looking at |
|---|---|
| Heritage character and a walkable main street | Unionville and Markham Village |
| Newer homes, parks and a hospital close by | Cornell |
| Larger luxury homes near golf courses | Angus Glen and Cathedraltown |
| Newer family neighbourhoods | Greensborough, Box Grove and Berczy Village |
| Condo living near transit and shops | Downtown Markham, along Highway 7 |
Moving to Markham?
Michael John Lau can walk you through the neighbourhoods that fit your budget, commute and lifestyle before you spend a weekend viewing homes.
Search Markham homesBook a consultationPrefer to talk? Call the Kaizen Real Estate Team at (647) 370-8885.
Tips before you move to Markham
- Visit at rush hour and on a weekend. A street can feel very different at 8 a.m. on a Tuesday.
- Get pre-approved first. Knowing your budget keeps your search focused on the right neighbourhoods.
- Learn the local rules. Markham has its own waste rules, including clear garbage bags. See Markham's garbage and recycling rules.
- Book movers early. Month-end dates fill quickly. Compare options in the best moving companies in Markham.
- Selling first? If you own a home now, a free home valuation tells you what you can put toward your Markham purchase.
Frequently asked questions
Is Markham a good place to live?
For most families and professionals, yes. Markham offers established neighbourhoods, parks including Rouge National Urban Park, highway and GO train access and a large local job base. The main trade-offs are higher home prices and busy roads at rush hour.
How far is Markham from downtown Toronto?
Markham is about 30 kilometres northeast of downtown Toronto. Drive times depend heavily on traffic, and the GO Transit Stouffville line connects several Markham stations to Union Station.
Is it expensive to live in Markham?
Housing is the biggest cost. In August 2026, the average Markham home sold for about $1.2 million, with detached homes near $1.61 million and condo apartments near $638,000, based on TRREB data.
Michael John Lau and Neeraj Moolchandani are licensed REALTORS® with the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. Licence #4784577. Market figures are approximate, drawn from TRREB MLS® data and other sources noted in the article, and can change. This article is general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
